Government Issues Notice to Volkswagen

The Government of India will issue a notice to German vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen “significant variations” have been found by the Automotive Research Association of India in on-road emission levels in the diesel models of cars from the Volkswagen family.

“ARAI found significant variation on higher side…in on-road testing of Volkswagen cars”, he said. ARAI has sent a show cause notice to VW Group and has asked the company to submit their technical explanation in the next 14-21 days on the findings to ARAI.

These vehicles include the Volkswagen Jetta, Audi A4 and Volkswagen Vento. At the end of the meeting, it was finally agreed that Volkswagen Group India will present its results from the evaluations regarding the diesel engine emissions by the end of November 2015 to the Government of India.

“The government is planning to test cars from all OEMs for emission levels”, Ambuj Sharma, additional secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, told journalists in Mumbai today.

Volkswagen cars across the world have been affected by the recent emissions scandal and it looks like India is no exception.

The government, through ARAI, the agency in-charge of the investigation, found significant variation of 5 to 6 times more on the emission on road versus testing the vehicle in the laboratory. “We are seeking a clarification from Volkswagen through the notice”. It had begun a probe into Volkswagen’s emission standards after a manipulation scandal hit the German auto major in the U.S. and several other countries.

Sharma said that Volkswagen India could face a penalty or recalls and even “criminal action” if they were found guilty of fitting a “defeat device” on their cars.

Europe’s biggest carmaker has admitted cheating USA diesel emissions tests and that up to around 11 million vehicles worldwide could contain illegal software – the biggest business crisis in its 78-year history.