Volkswagen India to submit emissions scandal report by November end

It’s tough times for Volkswagen due to the emissions scandal that has impacted the brand the world over. In India, the company came under the scanner last month to check if the Indian arm has been flouting any laws and so to clear the air, literally, Volkswagen India met the Heavy Industries Ministry and the ARAI.

Volkswagen Group India representatives have met Government of India – Ministry of Heavy Industries and ARAI yesterday and have updated them on the evaluations so far on the ongoing emissions issue with reference to India.

The company says that since there is a complex combination of several brands, various models, different engine variants and gearboxes as well as different model years that need to be analysed, establishing detailed facts is taking a longer time.

Volkswagen Group India will present its results from the evaluations by the end of November 2015. During this period, the company representatives will stay in regular touch with ARAI to keep the authorities updated on the analysis.

The ‘Dieselgate’ scandal revolves around the EA189 engine family - the set of 4-cylinder 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI diesels. The 1.5-litre diesel engine that powers the new Polo, Vento and Rapid also comes under the same engine family. It is yet to be determined if the cars produced in India by the VW group are also part of the 11 million vehicles that fall under the emission cheating scandal. 

ARAI had decided last month to investigate if Volkswagen has used defeat device to cheat emission tests in India. The automotive testing agency haD been directed by the government to carry on the probe and ARAI had sought details from the German car manufacturer on this matter.