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| Volkswagen US boss told about emission cheat in 2014 | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Volkswagen's US boss has admitted he was aware early last year of the emissions cheating affecting millions of the company's vehicles. | Volkswagen's US boss has admitted he was aware early last year of the emissions cheating affecting millions of the company's vehicles. |
| Michael Horn said he was told about a "possible emissions non-compliance" in the spring of 2014. | Michael Horn said he was told about a "possible emissions non-compliance" in the spring of 2014. |
| The revelation was made in testimony due to be presented to a House committee investigating the scandal on Thursday. | The revelation was made in testimony due to be presented to a House committee investigating the scandal on Thursday. |
| He said he was told after a study by West Virginia University was published. | He said he was told after a study by West Virginia University was published. |
| "I was informed that EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] regulations included various penalties for non-compliance with the emissions standards and that the agencies can conduct engineering tests which could include 'defeat device' testing or analysis," he said. | "I was informed that EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] regulations included various penalties for non-compliance with the emissions standards and that the agencies can conduct engineering tests which could include 'defeat device' testing or analysis," he said. |
| "I was also informed that the company engineers would work with the agencies to resolve the issue." | "I was also informed that the company engineers would work with the agencies to resolve the issue." |
| Mr Horn said in the written evidence it was not until 3 September this year that Volkswagen told US authorities about the "defeat device" in emissions software in diesel vehicles for the model years 2009 to 2015. | Mr Horn said in the written evidence it was not until 3 September this year that Volkswagen told US authorities about the "defeat device" in emissions software in diesel vehicles for the model years 2009 to 2015. |
| 'Deeply troubling' | 'Deeply troubling' |
| The software allowed a vehicle to recognise whether it was being driven on the road or running in a test laboratory, and turn engine emissions controls on or off. | The software allowed a vehicle to recognise whether it was being driven on the road or running in a test laboratory, and turn engine emissions controls on or off. |
| Mr Horn said the events had been "deeply troubling", adding: "I did not think that something like this was possible at the Volkswagen Group. | Mr Horn said the events had been "deeply troubling", adding: "I did not think that something like this was possible at the Volkswagen Group. |
| "We have broken the trust of our customers, dealerships, and employees, as well as the public and regulators." | "We have broken the trust of our customers, dealerships, and employees, as well as the public and regulators." |
| He said the company took full responsibility for its actions and was co-operating with all relevant authorities. | He said the company took full responsibility for its actions and was co-operating with all relevant authorities. |
| "Responsible parties will be identified and held accountable," Mr Horn said. | "Responsible parties will be identified and held accountable," Mr Horn said. |
| As well as striving to rebuild the company's reputation, the priority was finding remedies for the three groups of vehicles affected, he said. | As well as striving to rebuild the company's reputation, the priority was finding remedies for the three groups of vehicles affected, he said. |
| New chairman | New chairman |
| He said VW directly employed more than 6,000 people in the US at its factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as other facilities. | He said VW directly employed more than 6,000 people in the US at its factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as other facilities. |
| The company on Wednesday appointed former finance chief Hans Dieter Poetsch as its new chairman, following a board meeting to discuss the emissions scandal. | The company on Wednesday appointed former finance chief Hans Dieter Poetsch as its new chairman, following a board meeting to discuss the emissions scandal. |
| Mr Poetsch said it would be "some time" before the car maker could uncover the details of the emissions test cheating. | Mr Poetsch said it would be "some time" before the car maker could uncover the details of the emissions test cheating. |