VW Group India refutes emission scam, recall to update engine software

In a statement isued yesterday evening, Volkswagen Group India said it wants to clarify its position, the outcome and the way forward on the EA 189 diesel engine topic after its meetings with the Government of India and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India).

The statement reads: “Volkswagen Group India has presented its observations, findings and outlines of possible solutions on the EA 189 engines to the Government of India and ARAI. Volkswagen Group India has intimated why it believes that its cars are not equipped with a ‘defeat device’. 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. To come to a common conclusion on this topic, further meetings with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will take place.”

Volkswagen India, on December 1, had announced a recall of 323,700 cars (198,500 cars from Volkswagen, 88,700 cars from Skoda and 36,500 cars from Audi across various models sold in India)  which were produced between 2008 and 2015 and are equipped with EA 189 engines.  

The company’s latest statement says, “To be in line with the latest technical updates on the EA 189 diesel engines announced by Volkswagen AG for the European markets, Volkswagen Group India has already announced a voluntary recall of all cars with EA 189 engines in India. Volkswagen Group India will implement technical updates in accordance with the timelines presented to the authorities.

The 2.0-litre engines will get a software update. In the 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre engines, a ‘flow transformer’ will be fitted in front of the air mass sensor. In addition, a software update will also be performed on these engines. The measure for the 1.2-litre engines will be announced shortly.”

It is understood that VW India will implement the recall exercise from the first quarter of 2016, with all customers being informed directly by the respective brands. The carmaker has said that the existing software does not affect the handling, technical safety or the roadworthiness of the car and it will continue the production and sales of the cars with EA 189 engines in India. All technical measures will be implemented as soon as they are available.