Brazil to investigate Volkswagen cars’ emission

Martin Winterkorn resigned from the position earlier this week in the wake of the giant emissions scandal that has left the company in a precarious financial position.

“Tens of millions of cars have been sold since 2009, and with exactly the same diesel technology being used in Europe as in the USA, this could not be an isolated case”.

The move – which could affect 180,000 cars that are not yet sold or registered – comes after VW admitted cheating on emissions tests in the US.

Authorities will continue working with Volkswagen to determine what cars exactly are involved.

Thomas Rohrbach, spokesman for the Swiss federal office of roadways, said the ban was being implemented on VW vehicles with diesel engines in the “euro 5” emissions category.

In a sign that the air-pollution scandal engulfing Volkswagen could spread, California regulators on Friday warned other automakers that they would soon start checking more cars for “defeat devices” that can cheat government emissions tests.

Customers and motor dealers are furious Volkswagen has yet to say which models and construction years are affected, and whether it will have to recall any cars for refits.

It was also thought that Michael Horn, the president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, could find his own job in jeopardy, but the company confirmed that he will remain in his post.

Mr Dobrindt this week set up a commission of inquiry to look into the scandal.

The Volkswagen board is also expected to dismiss high-level engineers and designers, although no further details have been released yet.

“We stand by our responsibility”, said, adding, however, that “carefulness is even more important than speed”.

Volkswagen is under heavy pressure to show it can get to grips with the biggest business-related scandal in its 78-year history.

Without the defeat devices, which were deactivated after Volkswagen met the emission requirements, the VW and Audi vehicles were emitting nitrogen oxides (NOx), a greenhouse gas, at levels up to 40 times the permissible standard.

BMW said in a statement that it was not familiar with the test and would ask the ICCT for clarification.

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