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VW's US boss offers 'sincere apology' to US Congress | VW's US boss offers 'sincere apology' to US Congress |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Volkswagen's US boss has made a "sincere apology" for installing "defeat devices" to cheat emissions tests on its diesel cars. | Volkswagen's US boss has made a "sincere apology" for installing "defeat devices" to cheat emissions tests on its diesel cars. |
Michael Horn, chief executive of VW's US operation, said the events were "deeply troubling". | Michael Horn, chief executive of VW's US operation, said the events were "deeply troubling". |
However, he said the decision to use the devices was not one made by the company's board, but by individuals. | However, he said the decision to use the devices was not one made by the company's board, but by individuals. |
Mr Horn said: "My understanding is that it was a couple of software engineers who put these in." | Mr Horn said: "My understanding is that it was a couple of software engineers who put these in." |
He said that three people had been suspended following the scandal, but they could not be named for legal reasons. | He said that three people had been suspended following the scandal, but they could not be named for legal reasons. |
The executive was giving evidence before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce committee. | |
Sceptical | Sceptical |
Many of the committee members were sceptical. New York Congressman Chris Collins said: "VW is trying to get us to believe this is the work of a couple of rogue engineers. I don't believe it." | Many of the committee members were sceptical. New York Congressman Chris Collins said: "VW is trying to get us to believe this is the work of a couple of rogue engineers. I don't believe it." |
At one point, Mr Horn himself said he found it hard to believe. Texas Congressman Joe Barton asked him: "Do you really believe, as good, as well-run as Volkswagen has always been reputed to be, that senior level corporate managers, administrators, had no knowledge for years and years?" | At one point, Mr Horn himself said he found it hard to believe. Texas Congressman Joe Barton asked him: "Do you really believe, as good, as well-run as Volkswagen has always been reputed to be, that senior level corporate managers, administrators, had no knowledge for years and years?" |
Mr Horn replied: "I agree it's very hard to believe. And personally I struggle [to believe it] as well." | Mr Horn replied: "I agree it's very hard to believe. And personally I struggle [to believe it] as well." |
Several of the committee members admitted they had owned VW cars and held a deep affection for them, which prompted some angry questioning. | Several of the committee members admitted they had owned VW cars and held a deep affection for them, which prompted some angry questioning. |
Vermont Congressman Peter Welch asked Mr Horn: "How do you call yourself a member of the human race when you poison the human race?" | Vermont Congressman Peter Welch asked Mr Horn: "How do you call yourself a member of the human race when you poison the human race?" |
'Full responsibility' | 'Full responsibility' |
Mr Horn added: "I did not think that something like this was possible at the Volkswagen group. | Mr Horn added: "I did not think that something like this was possible at the Volkswagen group. |
"We have broken the trust of our customers, dealerships, employees as well as the public and the regulators. | |
"Let me be very clear: we at Volkswagen take full responsibility for our actions and we are working with all the relevant authorities in a co-operative way." | |
Mr Horn told the panel he was informed about a "possible emissions non-compliance" in the spring of 2014. | Mr Horn told the panel he was informed about a "possible emissions non-compliance" in the spring of 2014. |
But he said he first learned about so-called defeat devices being installed on VW diesel cars at the beginning of September, just before the scandal was made public. | But he said he first learned about so-called defeat devices being installed on VW diesel cars at the beginning of September, just before the scandal was made public. |
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. |
VW will offer a financial package to American dealers to help them through the crisis, but expects it will take "one to two years minimum" to fix the US cars. | VW will offer a financial package to American dealers to help them through the crisis, but expects it will take "one to two years minimum" to fix the US cars. |
Later on Thursday the state of Texas said it was taking legal action against Volkswagen over the marketing of its supposedly clean diesel vehicles, alleging that Volkswagen violated a state law prohibiting deceptive trade practices. | |
Prosecutors | Prosecutors |
Meanwhile, German public prosecutors have searched Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters as part of their investigation into the emissions scandal. | Meanwhile, German public prosecutors have searched Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters as part of their investigation into the emissions scandal. |
The prosecutor's office said they were looking for data linked to the defeat devices. | The prosecutor's office said they were looking for data linked to the defeat devices. |
German prosecutors launched their investigation into the scandal last week after receiving about a dozen criminal complaints from citizens and one from VW itself. | German prosecutors launched their investigation into the scandal last week after receiving about a dozen criminal complaints from citizens and one from VW itself. |
They say they are trying to find out who was responsible for the alleged manipulation and how it was carried out. | They say they are trying to find out who was responsible for the alleged manipulation and how it was carried out. |
Mr Horn said he was told about problems with VW's diesel cars meeting US emissions tests after the publication of a study by West Virginia University. | Mr Horn said he was told about problems with VW's diesel cars meeting US emissions tests after the publication of a study by West Virginia University. |
"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. |
But he told the members of the committee: "I had no idea what a defeat device was or that Volkswagen used them." | But he told the members of the committee: "I had no idea what a defeat device was or that Volkswagen used them." |
Volkswagen told US authorities on 3 September this year about the "defeat device" in emissions software in diesel vehicles for the model years 2009 to 2015. | Volkswagen told US authorities on 3 September this year about the "defeat device" in emissions software in diesel vehicles for the model years 2009 to 2015. |