VW may compensate owners of diesel cars for loss of value

Volkswagen has disclosed to USA regulators that there is additional suspect software in its 2016 diesel models that would potentially help their exhaust systems run cleaner during government tests.

It is the latest development in a saga that has unfolded since the automaker’s diesel vehicles were found to have “defeat devices” installed that are aimed at hiding emissions. But VW claims this software functions differently than the illegal “defeat” devices in a few diesel vehicles from model years 2009 to 2015.

“We have been cooperating with all of the agencies that have come to us”, said Jeannine Ginivan, a spokeswoman for Volkswagen. The electric Phaeton would likely have a range comparable to the Tesla Model S. Volkswagen has said the Audi E-Tron Quattro SUV due out by 2018 would boast 310 miles of driving range per battery charge and that the battery will be charged to 80 percent capacity in 15 minutes, much faster than the current Model S and Model X SUV charging times. The disclosure of that software last month triggered a global uproar; as a result, the automaker is facing a criminal investigation, billions of dollars in fines and civil lawsuits filed by customers.

However, a top official of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disclosed on Tuesday that the legality of VW’s new emission-control device has not yet been determined by the United States regulators.

Nine out of 10 Volkswagen drivers in the United Kingdom whose vehicles could be affected by the diesel emissions scandal think they should get compensation, according to a survey.

She said: ‘We have a long list of questions for VW about this.

Earlier this week Volkswagen’s United Kingdom boss Paul Willis said it was “premature” to discuss compensation.

Manufacturers are required by law to disclose any devices which affect emissions controls as part of the process to receive the EPA certifications, which is required to sell the cars in the country. “I do not need to converse to any potential topics of an enforcement exercise”, she stated.

The delay is bad news for Volkswagen dealers, who had been anticipating delivery of the new models to replace older inventory which they can no longer offer to customers.

The delay signifies that hundreds of 2016 Beetles, Golfs and Jettas will stay quarantined in D.R. ports till a fix could be developed, permitted and carried out.

His resignation was “not related” to the ongoing scandal over VW rigging software to cheat emissions tests of its diesel cars, the carmaker said. Winfried Vahland, the head of the VW-owned Skoda brand, was due to become head of a newly formed North America arm, bringing together its businesses in the USA, Canada and Mexico.