Volkswagen ordered to recall 3.0-litre diesel V6 models

Volkswagen said that the objective for the development of the technical measures is to achieve the applicable emission targets in each case without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel consumption and performance; however, as all model variants first have to be measured, the achievement of these targets can not yet be finally confirmed. It has suspended two engineers, Stadler told the Donaukurier regional newspaper, without giving any further details. Mr. Stadler said Audi is now conducting its own investigation into the technology.

The California Air Resources Board yesterday said it had notified Volkswagen Group of America to recall all VW, Audi and Porsche vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter diesel engines in the model years 2009-2015 that were sold in California.

The software is on Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg SUVs from the 2009 through 2016 model years, as well as the Porsche Cayenne from 2013 to 2016. It pledged to contact all customers and to consider the needs of every individual, offering to provide courtesy cars free of charge. The current crisis raises questions about his ability to grasp the complex technology issues in a crisis that is rooted in the company’s engineering culture.

In mid September, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency has accused that the vehicle giant used a software to hide actual emissions in its diesel auto.

The German automotive regulator Federal Motor Transport Authority has approved a software update for 2.0-litre engines and it is also expected to agree with a fix for the 1.6-litre units. The smallest, 1.2-liter motor’s remedy is still being worked out, but VW said it expects the fix to be a software update only.

An estimated 11 million diesel vehicles are affected, including 1.2 million the UK. About 500,000 cars in the USA are affected by the software.

German brands have led a surge in sales of foreign cars in South Korea, notably following a free trade deal in 2011 that cut duties on vehicles imported from Europe.

Earlier this month, Audi admitted to USA environmental authorities that the V6 engines failed to conform with the nation’s environmental law.