Volkswagen India to recall 323700 cars

“Furthermore, the findings from the evaluations undertaken by Volkswagen Group India under the observation of ARAI show that the tested cars of the brands Volkswagen, SKODA and Audi are not violating the Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) emission norms in India”, it said.

VW said in a statement that it will present a solution to the Ministry of Heavy Industries and ARAI for approval, adding that the recall will be done in phases and that it would update the software.

“Once approved from the competent authorities, the respective brands of the Volkswagen Group in India will carry out necessary actions in a step-wise manner”, it said. “All technical measures will be implemented as soon as they are available”.

In September 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States found out that cars across the Volkswagen Group portfolio were being fitted with a “defeat device” – a software that modified its performance when it sensed being run in “test condition” by monitoring speed, engine operation, and even steering wheel position.

While the existing software does not affect the handling, technical safety or the roadworthiness of the affected cars, the VW Group has already issued a voluntary recall of all cars with EA 189 engines in India.

According to the company, the 2.0-litre diesel engine will only need a software upgrade, while the 1.6-litre EA 189 diesel engine will be subject to a hardware and software fix.

Ambuj Sharma, additional secretary in the ministry, said that the automaker may start the recall sometime this month and begin with “different engines, different models, different schedules”, The Economic Times reported. “We would like to thank our dealers and customers for their continued patience and loyalty”, said Mark McNabb, chief operating officer, Volkswagen US.

The automobile manufacturer was served a notice by the government last month over the alleged charges of manipulating emission norms in India, as it has done in the US. While sales of its Chrysler and Dodge cars fell in November, the company’s Jeep division had a 20 percent gain.

A government probe, conducted by ARAI, found a “defeat device” in the engines.

“People have told me a leading reason they bought their vehicles is because they were supposed to be environmentally friendly, meet the European emission standards and were supposed to be a new clean green diesel technology”.

Volkswagen said US sales plunged 25% in November in the wake of the German automaker’s massive emissions cheating scandal.