This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35060201

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Volkswagen admits 'chain of errors' Volkswagen admits 'chain of errors'
(about 3 hours later)
The chairman of embattled carmaker Volkswagen says a chain of errors led to the emissions scandal and that its top priority is winning back trust.The chairman of embattled carmaker Volkswagen says a chain of errors led to the emissions scandal and that its top priority is winning back trust.
Speaking at a news conference, Hans Dieter Poetsch said: "We are talking here not about a one-off mistake but a chain of errors."Speaking at a news conference, Hans Dieter Poetsch said: "We are talking here not about a one-off mistake but a chain of errors."
He said VW would be "relentless in seeking to establish who was responsible" for the scandal.He said VW would be "relentless in seeking to establish who was responsible" for the scandal.
VW's chief executive said it was "fighting for every customer".VW's chief executive said it was "fighting for every customer".
But Matthias Mueller said a massive slump in sales had not occurred in the wake of the scandal.But Matthias Mueller said a massive slump in sales had not occurred in the wake of the scandal.
In September, US regulators found some VW diesel cars had a "defeat device" - or software - to cheat emissions tests.In September, US regulators found some VW diesel cars had a "defeat device" - or software - to cheat emissions tests.
The company said the problem began when Volkswagen decided to launch a large-scale promotion of diesel vehicles in the US in 2005, but found it impossible to meet strict emissions limits in force in that country in time. The company said the problem began when it decided to launch a large-scale promotion of diesel vehicles in the US in 2005, but found it impossible to meet strict emissions limits in force in that country in time.
The company said it had agreed steps to improve supervision of engine software development to prevent future manipulation. VW said it had agreed steps to improve supervision of engine software development to prevent future manipulation.
Mr Mueller said it was relatively simple and inexpensive to fix the millions of affected cars, but this had not been possible before, as the technology for the fixes was not available when the cars were built. In any case, the company was unaware at the time that there was a problem.Mr Mueller said it was relatively simple and inexpensive to fix the millions of affected cars, but this had not been possible before, as the technology for the fixes was not available when the cars were built. In any case, the company was unaware at the time that there was a problem.
Volkswagen will in future undertake "real-life" tests, which will be checked by both internal and external third parties.Volkswagen will in future undertake "real-life" tests, which will be checked by both internal and external third parties.
Mr Poetsch said: "No business justifies crossing legal and ethical boundaries."
'Good progress''Good progress'
Mr Poetsch said: "No business justifies crossing legal and ethical boundaries."
He said it was likely that only a limited number of people took part in the deception and said they would not be named as yet, adding that it was impossible to stop misconduct by individuals.He said it was likely that only a limited number of people took part in the deception and said they would not be named as yet, adding that it was impossible to stop misconduct by individuals.
He said, however, that the actions taken by the company would make that much more difficult in future. However, he added that the actions taken by the company would make such actions that much more difficult in future.
US law firm Jones Day is conducting an external investigation into what happened. That, Mr Poetsch said, was making good progress, but would take some time to conclude. US law firm Jones Day is conducting an investigation into what happened. That, Mr Poetsch said, was making good progress, but would take some time to conclude.
The cheat device affects up to 11 million cars worldwide.The cheat device affects up to 11 million cars worldwide.
The damage to the company has seen its chief executive resign and about 13% has been knocked off the company's value on the stock markets.The damage to the company has seen its chief executive resign and about 13% has been knocked off the company's value on the stock markets.