Volkswagen United Kingdom to fix almost 1.2 mil. vehicles

A Volkswagen Group United Kingdom spokesperson said: “Step by step, affected customers will be contacted with details of a process to get their vehicles corrected in the near future”.

Volkswagen will recall and refit up to 11 million cars, following the revelations they contain software used to cheat diesel emissions tests.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which announced Volkswagen’s cheating in diesel emissions tests on September 18, provides detailed information on vehicle performance in tests.

Volkswagen says that in the coming days, the vehicle identification numbers of rigged cars will be released to retailers and a self-checking service for customers is also rapidly being set up.

The German car-maker said it would contact the owners to arrange for their vehicles to be “corrected”. VW added that technical solutions will be submitted to the responsible authorities in October, with the company emphasising that affected vehicles are still technically safe and roadworthy.

German prosecutors are investigating whether Martin Winterkorn, who resigned as Volkswagen CEO last week, may have committed fraud.

How many vehicles have the defeat device software that conned U.S. emissions testers?

In a letter to new boss Matthias Mueller, it said: “If if is found that defeat devices have been used in our clients’ vehicles, this undoubtedly amounts to misrepresentation and a breach of contract”.

However it is not yet known whether vehicles in South Africa will be recalled.

What VW vehicles are not affected?

According to figures from the manufacturer, over 508,000 VW diesel cars in Britain have been affected, with an additional 80,000 VW Commercial Vehicles affected.

Industry publication Green vehicle Journal also said on Tuesday it was rescinding “Green auto of the Year” awards given to Volkswagen’s 2009 VW Jetta TDI and 2010 Audi A3 TDI models.

VW, however, has not confirmed how the modifications of the affected vehicles will take place.

Volkswagen Group continues its rapid descend this week and this is just the beginning. Czech automaker Skoda and Spain-based Seat account for 1.2 million and 700,000 cars, respectively.