Thankfully our trucks are not at the direct focus of this but EPA is imposing a fine on Volkswagen for $37,500 per diesel vehicle for cars manufactured the last 7 years that do not meet diesel emissions standards.

EPA says VW intentionally violates clean air standards | Fox News

The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday ordered Volkswagen to fix nearly 500,000 VW and Audi diesel cars that the agency said are intentionally violating clean air laws by using software that evades EPA emissions standards.

VW, which owns Audi, faces billions of dollars in fines, although exact amounts were not determined.

The cars, all built in the last seven years, include a device programmed to detect when they are undergoing official emissions testing, the EPA said, adding that the cars only turn on full emissions control systems during that testing. The controls are turned off during normal driving situations, the EPA said.

The EPA called the company's use of the so-called "defeat device" illegal and a threat to public health.

"EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules," said Cynthia Giles, assistant EPA administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance.

The EPA called on VW to fix the cars' emissions systems, but said car owners do not need to take any immediate action. The violations do not present a safety hazard and the cars remain legal to drive and sell, the EPA said.

The German automaker said in a statement it is cooperating with the investigation, but declined further comment.

The EPA said VW faces fines of up to $37,500 per vehicle for the violations -- a total of more than $18 billion. No final total was announced. California issued a separate compliance order to VW, and officials announced an investigation by the California Air Resources Board.

 

And:

John Locke Foundation - Rights & Regulation Update

 

Maybe this is why you never hear about other diesel makers having the problems that Ford, Ram and Chevy have with their diesel emission systems. Essentially, the day you bought the diesel car it was "deleted" unless you were being inspected. No charge for that option...

 

+ 100. !

 

Wow, that's nearly the cost of those entire vehicles, if not more in some cases.

 

Oh SNAP!

I guess the kat is out of the bag Wilhelm!!!!

 

Wow... Talk about a bold move. Did they not think they would get caught?

A new VW Jetta TDI is in the low $20k range... We had one years ago, it was the worst experience with a new car I have ever had. From the dealer to the manufacturer manager was a corrupt bunch of folks - and I can say that with conviction as they lost in court because of it. I sued and then later a class action lawsuit was won against them for the same problem.

Ironically this was on a Jetta TDI Diesel, but one made before the new diesel regs were in effect.

 

I have heard nothing but good things about VW. This story makes me want to go out and buy a VW and support them. Good for them man. Sucks they got caught, but you know.

 

I loved my Golf TDI.

Cummins was hit with the same violation some years back in the early 2000s.

 

I personally think this is one, of I'm sure many reasons, Ford designed the ecoboost. They simply didn't want to get into the light duty diesel market in the USA because diesel is a pain.

 

I wonder if Ford motor company can purchase the rights to this technology!

 

This may screw diesel cars in north America. Diesel is all over Europe in densely populated areas and no one seems to be dying because of it.


$37 B fine - that should bring the share price down!

 

Good work EPA

 

More on the subject... It's not good for VW or its stockholders (reportedly stock has lost 20% of its value since the news broke)....

Your Guide To Dieselgate: Volkswagen's Diesel Cheating Catastrophe

 

I'll be sure to fire up my 86 6.9 IDI and belch a big black cloud and drink a glass of arsenic contaminated water in celebration for the EPA..

Like these VW cars are going to poison us all.. but hybrids and electric cars with their toxic batteries are ok..what a joke.