ARAI issues showcause notice to VW India over diesel emission discrepancies

After more than a month of uncertainty since the Indian authorities started their probe on the impact of Volkswagen’s emission cheating scandal in the country, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the agency in charge of the investigation, has found “significant discrepancies” in the on-road emission levels of some VW cars in India compared to laboratory measurements.

Based on the tests concluded on the firm's three diesel models in India – Jetta, Audi A4 and Vento – ARAI has issued a showcause notice to the Volkswagen Group.

"ARAI has found significant discrepancies in the emission level of on-road vehicles as compared to the laboratory measurements. They are issuing a notice to Volkswagen Group today to give technical inputs and explain their position," Ambuj Sharma, additional secretary, Heavy Industries Ministry, told Autocar Professional.

"The discrepancies are significant enough to call for an explanation by VW and based on their response and technical inputs, we would decide a further course of action," Sharma said.

The ARAI report was submitted yesterday. If proved of any wrongdoing in India, the German carmaker may have to face criminal proceedings, fine and recall of vehicles, Sharma had said earlier.

Volkswagen is expected to respond to ARAI’s notice by the end of the month.

Volkswagen India confirmed receiving the notice from ARAI and a spokesperson said, "Volkswagen Group India representatives had met Government of India – Ministry of Heavy Industries and ARAI on 29th October 2015. It was agreed with the Government of India that Volkswagen Group India will present its results from the evaluations regarding the diesel engine emissions topic by the end of November 2015. The next steps would depend on the findings from these evaluations. Volkswagen Group India confirms that it has received a notice from ARAI and will respond to the same by 30th November 2015. Volkswagen Group India will continue to fully co-operate with the Government of India in this matter."

In another development yesterday, VW had also admitted that up to 800,000 petrol and diesel-powered cars have had their CO2 and mpg (miles per gallon) ratings wrongly certified. Reports suggest that the latest scandal affects Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW cars with what are described as "small" engines. The Group sells some of its “small engine” cars in India including the likes of the Polo, Vento and Skoda Rapid.

With these new findings and the repercussions of the dieselgate scandal, the German automaker’s woes seem to pile on with each passing day.  

More from Volkswagen emissions scandal:

- VW admits 800,000 cars have false CO2 & mpg certification

- Volkswagen India reports second consecutive decline in sales in October

- Volkswagen reports losses in third quarter of 2015

- VW India to submit emission scandal report by end-November

- Are Made-In-India cars affected?

- Company to cut investments by €1 billion per year

- The routine study that led to the discovery of the VW scandal