Volkswagen scandal: 1.2 million vehicles in United Kingdom affected

The company said yesterday it would refit the 11 million cars worldwide affected with new software.

The Czech Republic says that 148,000 vehicles by Volkswagen and its brands that have a diesel engine capable of cheating on emissions tests have been sold in the country. We need courage and fighting spirit.

Audi and Skoda have said 3.3 million of their cars with so-called EU5 compliant engines come with the “defeat device” installed.

Volkswagen’s market value has plummeted by $25 billion since news of the scandal broke less than two weeks ago and former chief executive Martin Winterkorn resigned.

Ahead of the meeting, Diess said only VWs with 1.6-liter and 2-liter engines are concerned, and for the latter “we are quite sure we can fix the problem with software”.

The United Kingdom government has criticised Volkswagen, calling for a Europe-wide investigation into the scandal.

This consists of 508,276 Volkswagen cars, 393,450 Audis, 131,569 Skodas, 79,838 VW commercial vehicles and 76,773 Seats.

“These models were selected as Green vehicle of the Year above others for compelling reasons, including high fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, a fun-to-drive nature, and the ability to meet 50 state emissions requirements with advanced diesel technology”, said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green auto Journal.

In this case, following the revelations about the rigged tests, prosecutors in Braunschweig, near VW’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, received about a dozen complaints, including one from Volkswagen itself, said spokeswoman Julia Meyer.

In the US, several lawsuits have already been filed against the automaker.

In Brussels, European Union Industry Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska met Tuesday with Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Diess. “But I don’t think, when it comes to used (cars), that people are really bothered because it’s all down to price, and they’ve still got a good name in terms of reliability”.

The repercussions of the scandal can be clearly seen in VW’s hometown of Wolfsburg, in northern Germany, which has imposed an immediate freeze on spending and hiring in the public administration.

Details on what cars are involved have emerged gradually.