VW tells MPs eight million cars in Europe hit by emissions scandal

IN a letter to German MPs, Volkswagen has admitted that eight million of its diesel cars had the emissions-testing ‘defeat devices’ in Europe alone.

The scope of the scandal affecting Volkswagen keeps on growing. Picture: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

VOLKSWAGEN says eight million cars in the European Union are affected by an investigation into whether the carmaker manipulated emissions tests, according to a letter received by German MPs.

Volkswagen has previously said that 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide had engines fitted with software that can help them cheat US emissions tests.

“Rest assured that at the moment we are working hard and co-ordinating closely with the authorities and the (German) federal government on a technical solution for the vehicles concerned,” Volkswagen told MPs in the letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

“In the European Union, eight million type EA 189 EU5 diesel engines with a 1.2 litre, 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre engine capacity are affected,” said the letter, which was signed by VW lobbyists Thomas Steg and Michael Jansen.

“We know that the wrongdoing of a few people has caused great harm to our entire company,” the letter dated October 2 added.

As the US Congress prepares to question Volkswagen officials in Washington over its manipulation of emissions tests, German media reported over the weekend that the company itself is focusing on three development managers who have been suspended.

Bild newspaper on Sunday reported that Heinz-Jakob Neusser, head of development at VW, and engineers Ulrich Hackenberg and Wolfgang Hatz had been put on forced leave in the wake of the scandal. Other newspapers had similar reports.

Hatz declined to comment through a spokesman and neither of the other two responded to emails seeking comment.

VW spokesman Eric Felber refused to comment.

Deepening scandal ... Wall Street stocks dropped after reports surfaced concerning the manipulation of values of emission in VW vehicles equipped with diesel engines. Picture: AFP / Paul J Richards

Bild reported that VW’s internal investigation had turned up contradictory information on Hackenberg’s possible involvement, while Hatz denied knowledge.

From 2002 to January 2007, Hackenberg was in charge of concept development, superstructure development and electronics at VW subsidiary Audi. In 2007 he was appointed a member of the VW brand’s board for development, and has been a member of Audi’s management board since July 2013. He had responsibility for technical development of all of the VW group’s brands.

Hatz joined the VW group in 2001 and served as head of engines and transmissions development at Audi until 2009, assuming the same function at VW in 2007. In February 2011, he became a member of Porsche’s board of management in charge of research and development and is also head of engines and transmissions development for the Volkswagen group.

VW and Porsche merged in 2012 after years of wrangling.

Neusser was in charge of drivetrain development of Porsche from 2001 to 2011 before joining VW to head powertrain development there, taking over the job for the whole Volkswagen group in 2012. The next year, he was named management board member for the Volkswagen brand in charge of development.

VW’s top manager in the US, Michael Horn, is to testify before Congress on Thursday.