Volkswagen scandal: Govt asks ARAI to inspect India-spec models

Asked by the government to probe whether Volkswagen has manipulated emission tests in India as it did in the U.S., automotive testing agency ARAI today said it has started the process and has sought details from the company on the issue.

Volkswagen AG has been found to have flouted stringent emission norms in the USA by fitting millions of its diesel-powered cars with what is called a “defect device”.

The state-run Automotive Research Association of India will check if Volkswagen sold any of the models that the company admitted had cheated on US air pollution tests, Ambuj Sharma, an additional secretary in the ministry of heavy industries, said in a telephone interview Thursday.

“ARAI has been requested to investigate the matter”.

He said the emmission norms in the country are different compared with other countries. “They are inquiring into the matter”, Heavy Industries Secretary Rajan Katoch said.

“We need to make sure these kind of things don’t happen here. The matter is being studied and if there are any regulatory issues here, they will be looked at and plugged”.

ARAI, which is under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, provides technical expertise in research and development, testing, certification, homologation and framing of vehicle regulations. Yesterday, German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt, confirmed that VW Group vehicles sold in Europe with 1.6- and 2.0-liter diesel engines are also affected.

The value of Volkswagen scrip has shrunk by around 30 percent since the scandal was revealed. The massive scandal has already forced the resignation of Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn.

Winterkorn stepped down on Wednesday, saying he was “shocked” and “stunned” by the revelations, accepting responsibility as CEO, even though he personally was not aware of any wrongdoing.