Volkswagen describes a "chain of errors" that were allowed to happen, and has traced the origin of the scandal back to a decision to launch a big promotion of diesel vehicles in the U.S. in 2005.
The automaker was unable to come up with a legal way to meet much tougher U.S. limits on NOX emissions "within the required timeframe and budget," so it deployed software to rig the tests. Later, when a technical solution was available, it was not fully employed.
Still, the company continues to absolve the top executives and board of any responsibility.
"There are no indications that the supervisory board or the management board was involved," Poetsch said.
My ass. No one's been fired yet, just suspended, probably with pay.
Edited By Malcolm on 1449768432
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
TheCatt wrote:But a whole bunch of people sound guilty.
No, you're mistaken.
"We still believe a relatively small number of employees were directly involved in manipulation," said Volkswagen chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch.
If I were a stockholder in that company, I'd be curious how a "relatively small number of employees" could be in a position to fuck up...
as many as 11 million vehicles around the world
...and cost me...
6.7 billion euros to cover the cost of recalls
...and rising.
Edited By Malcolm on 1449769078
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Owners of the 475,000 Volkswagen vehicles with 2-liter diesels covered under the settlement will receive payments ranging from $5,100 to $10,000 if they agree to the settlement. In addition, Volkswagen will either repair their cars to bring them into compliance with emissions laws — if it can figure out how to fix them — or buy back the cars or terminate the leases on them.
Buybacks will be worth at least $12,500 and are capped at $44,000.
The "if" part is hilarious. Given that they intentionally misled consumers and regulatory agencies, I think they should be required to issue full refunds for all the vehicles in question, no cap.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."