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VW scandal: German authorities order compulsory recall of 2.4m cars VW to recall 8.5m diesel cars across Europe
(about 4 hours later)
Germany has ordered a recall of all 2.4m Volkswagen cars in the country affected by the diesel emissions scandal and has rejected the company’s proposal for a voluntary programme. Volkswagen is to recall 8.5m diesel cars across the European Union in the wake of the emissions scandal.
Transport authorities have given the green light for a compulsory recall of all vehicles in the country fitted with a so-called defeat device and will reveal more details of the plan to repair the affected vehicles on Thursday. The full extent of the work required by the manufacturer to deal with the defeat devices in its diesel vehicles became apparent on Thursday after German authorities rejected its proposals for a voluntary scheme.
Related: Volkswagen UK boss promises to do the right thing over emissions rigging scandal Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority ordered a compulsory recall of all the affected 2.4m Volkswagen cars in the country, triggering the EU-wide move by VW across 28 member states.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority in Germany has rejected VW’s proposal for a voluntary recall of the cars, which would have meant that motorists only took their car in for repairs if they wanted to remove the defeat device. VW has told motorists their cars remain legal to drive on the basis that they passed emissions tests, even if this was only due to the defeat device. Related: VW customers demand answers and compensation over emissions scandal
The decision is likely to mean that all 1.2m vehicles affected by the scandal in the UK will also be formally recalled. It means that all 1.2m vehicles affected by the scandal in the UK will also be formally recalled.
Volkswagen said it welcomed the German decision, which would “give customers clarity with regard to the continued unrestricted use of the vehicles”.
However, VW had proposed a voluntary recall of the cars, which would have meant that motorists only took their car in for repairs if they wanted to remove the defeat device. VW has told motorists their cars remain legal to drive on the basis that they passed emissions tests, even if this was only due to the defeat device.
VW has admitted that 11m diesel cars worldwide have been fitted with a defeat device that manipulated emissions tests. The company has put aside €6.5bn (£4.8bn) to meet the costs of recalling the cars but also faces the threat of fines and legal action from shareholders and customers.VW has admitted that 11m diesel cars worldwide have been fitted with a defeat device that manipulated emissions tests. The company has put aside €6.5bn (£4.8bn) to meet the costs of recalling the cars but also faces the threat of fines and legal action from shareholders and customers.
Meanwhile, US regulators say they have more questions for VW, triggered by the company’s recent disclosure of additional suspect engineering of 2016 diesel models that potentially would help exhaust systems run cleaner during official tests.Meanwhile, US regulators say they have more questions for VW, triggered by the company’s recent disclosure of additional suspect engineering of 2016 diesel models that potentially would help exhaust systems run cleaner during official tests.
The carmaker has said that a recall of the affected vehicles should begin early in 2016 but may not be completed by the end of the year. Some of the vehicles can be repaired through software changes, but others will need new parts, such as fuel injectors, to be installed.The carmaker has said that a recall of the affected vehicles should begin early in 2016 but may not be completed by the end of the year. Some of the vehicles can be repaired through software changes, but others will need new parts, such as fuel injectors, to be installed.
The German authorities need to approve VW’s recall plan before it can begin repairing vehicles across the world.The German authorities need to approve VW’s recall plan before it can begin repairing vehicles across the world.
Alexander Dobrindt, the German transport minister, confirmed there would be a compulsory recall.Alexander Dobrindt, the German transport minister, confirmed there would be a compulsory recall.
He said: “VW is ordered to remove the software from all vehicles and to take appropriate measures to ensure that the emissions rules are fulfilled.”He said: “VW is ordered to remove the software from all vehicles and to take appropriate measures to ensure that the emissions rules are fulfilled.”
Related: Volkswagen UK boss promises to do the right thing over emissions rigging scandal
Dobrinbt claimed that co-operation between VW and the authorities had been “extraordinarily good”.Dobrinbt claimed that co-operation between VW and the authorities had been “extraordinarily good”.
However, he also warned that the hardware changes required to fix some of the cars may not be ready until September 2016.However, he also warned that the hardware changes required to fix some of the cars may not be ready until September 2016.
Lawyers representing British consumers stepped up the pressure on VW here, after the UK boss of Volkswagen again appeared in front of MPs promising to “do the right thing”. Law firm Leigh Day said it was now representing more than 4,000 potential plaintiffs while Slater and Gordon, which said it had been approached by more than 3,000 car owners, has warned VW its response was “woefully inadequate”.