Emissions scandal: Volkswagen to buy back cars with CO2 irregularities

Volkswagen is preparing to buy back some of the European vehicles affected by CO2 irregularities

By Jim Holder, Autocar UK

17 Nov 2015

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Emissions scandal: Volkswagen to buy back cars with CO2 irregularities

Volkswagen is preparing to buy back some of the vehicles affected by CO2 irregularities in Europe, as the fallout from its emissions scandal continues.

According to the Financial Times, if VW's re-testing of those affected vehicles reveals that CO2 emissions have been understated by more than 10%, then customers will have the opportunity to sell their cars back to VW at the current market value.

Speaking to the paper, a Volkswagen spokesman said: "We have to think that maybe people will give the car back. When we have the [test] figures there could be a chance for people to say 'I can hand back my car because you told me the wrong number'."

A statement from Volkswagen says the company has identified 430,000 VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat models from the 2016 model year which are affected by CO2 irregularities, which form part of the 800,000 total revealed last week.

Customers affected by the CO2 irregularities can expect to receive an official letter from VW in the coming weeks.

VW to offer cash incentives

Earlier this month, it emerged that Volkswagen would offer cash incentives of up to £1500 to existing UK customers as it tries to avert the potential sales affect caused by the emissions scandal.

Dealer correspondence leaked to Autocar shows that in response to concerns from VW’s British sales network, the company is going to top up any discounts offered to existing customers trading in a VW of any age with a further cash incentive - £400 on the Up city car, rising to £1000 on the Golf and Passat, and £1500 on the Touareg and Sharan.

The VW advice tells dealers, “This bonus is in addition to current tactical and does not impact your ability to determine the selling price of the vehicle.” It adds that the offer will last until the end of January 2016. Other vehicles eligible for a £1000 incentive include Golf SV, Cabriolet and Estate, Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet, Scirocco, Jetta, Touran, Tiguan, CC and all electric vehicles.

VW’s British sales dipped slightly in October - along with those of several of its rivals, as the official figures dropped for the first time in 43 months. However, market analysts suggest that a large number of potential buyers are delaying their purchase - and VW’s loyalty bonus is clearly designed to negate that issue. It mirrors a scheme introduced in the United States, where existing customers can get up to $1,500 off selected models.

A VW UK spokesman said, “Any manufacturer scheme is designed to react to trends in the market, and you could say this does the same. We think this is an attractive offer for existing owners.”

German emissions investigators target 23 different manufacturers

German automotive industry regulator Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) has announced it is conducting independent emissions tests on cars and vans made by 23 different marques.

In a statement, the KBA said the tests were being conducted as a result of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, but also suggested that accusations of cheating elsewhere in the car industry had been made. It cited “verified indications from third parties regarding unusual pollutants emissions“.

“Since the end of September, KBA has been investigating whether further manipulation of emissions, of nitrogen oxides in particular, is taking place in the market,” said the statement.

It added that it had already tested two-thirds of the vehicles named, comparing laboratory test results with real-world figures, but did not give any clues as to the results.

All of the KBA’s tests are believed to be focused on diesel engines.

Alfa Romeo: Alfa Romeo Guilietta Audi: Audi A6, Audi A3 BMW: BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series Chevrolet: Chevrolet Cruze Dacia: SD engine Fiat: Fiat Panda, Fiat Ducato Ford: Ford Focus, Ford C-Max Honda: Honda HR-V Hyundai: Hyundai iX35, Hyundai i20 Land Rover: Range Rover Evoque Jeep: Jeep Cherokee Mazda: Mazda 6 Mercedes: Mercedes C-Class, Mercedes CLS, Mercedes Sprinter, Mercedes V-Class Mini: Mini Cooper Mitsubishi: Mitsubishi ASX Nissan: Nissan Navara Peugeot: Peugeot 308 Porsche: Porsche Macan Renault: Renault Kadjar Smart: Smart Fortwo Toyota: Toyota Auris Vauxhall: Vauxhall Astra, Vauxhall Insignia, Vauxhall Zafira Volvo: Volvo V60 VW: VW Golf, VW Beetle, VW Passat, VW Touran, VW Touareg, VW Golf Sportsvan, VW Polo, VW Crafter, VW Amarok.