Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[Eaglen00b]

I suspect anyone complaining in Australia has their facts wrong, since our emission laws are easily passed.

While that may be so, VW's conduct and marketing of their product can arguably be construed as deceptive conduct which, under ACL, is a huge no no.

[Ryeman]

Yes.
I suspect it's more to do with corporate criminal behaviour.

[OilBurna]

Wonder if Vic Roads will actually do it then you could argue goods you were sold were not fit for purpose


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[Amalgam]

It said it didn't use a "defeat device", which is classified as a modification outside the engine. Instead it used exhaust gas recirculation [EGR], rather than fresh air, to pump into the engine (which is what happens under normal driving conditions).

This lowered levels of nitrogen oxide emissions during regulatory testing.

"The EGR system does not constitute a defeat device," Volkswagen said. "Having regard to the facts and the applicable law, there is no violation of ADR 79 [emissions standards] or legislation relating to the registration of vehicles as alleged by the applicants."


Now we know how VAG is trying to fix this cheat. Increase EGR, which will alter our torque and power curves and clag up the EGR valve.

[Amalgam]

Volkswagen recalls diesel Golfs for first wave of emissions fixes | Autocar


Volkswagen is starting the technical fixes for its Golf models following the ongoing emissions scandal by recalling 2.0-litre TDI BlueMotion engined cars in Germany.

The recall is likely to include both hatchback and estate models, and is the first wave of a total of 15,000 affected Golfs in Europe. Other models are due to follow once their fixes have been approved by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA); the Passat is the most likely next candidate.

[Ryeman]

VW engineers admitted their emissions control equipment would fail prematurely if required to meet the U.S. standards.

[bluey]

US is the worst place because the country with the strictest emission standards has the lowest quality fuel. That's why they have a load of premature HPFP failures, which are still subject of NHTSA investigation.

[Ryeman]

US is the worst place because the country with the strictest emission standards has the lowest quality fuel. That's why they have a load of premature HPFP failures, which are still subject of NHTSA investigation.

Biofuels?
As VW pledges more electric cars, it supports biofuels as alternative

[Idle]

Biofuels? Maybe — BUT — you have to plant the raw material, wait for it to grow, harvest it, process it, distribute it.

Most of these operations also burn energy and create emissions that have to be taken into account as part of the general scheme of things.

Plus the ever-expanding population of this smallish planet still needs to eat, and biofuel raw materials grow the same way as food (but then so did our fossil oil deposits, and one day they'll all be gone...)

Battery-driven electric transport depends on batteries, and the raw material for just about all kinds of these seems to be less than plentiful.

Maybe we harvest the solar wind...

[Ryeman]

I'm thinking its 'waste' biofuel like Virgin Atlantic aim to use in the aircraft.
Green algae is being converted also.
AFAIK it doesn't need crop land.......it's industrial chemistry.

[bluey]

I read somewhere years ago that so called (probably misnamed) fossil fuel crude oil is made by bacteria in the ground. Research continues in making petroleum-like products from genetically engineered bacteria.

[theresanothersteve]

As we all (well, most of us) expected:

General News Technology - More German brands recall diesels: report | GoAuto

So BMW are the only German manufacturer not to cheat. (So far).

[Ryeman]

VicRoads getting nasty?
General News Emissions - VicRoads flexes muscles at VW | GoAuto

[OilBurna]

looks like vw have to be dragged kicking and screaming.



vw stonewalling continues ..

VOLKSWAGEN, AUDI AND SKODA CLASS ACTIONS
Case Management Hearing on Friday, 29 April 2016
We are writing to update you on the outcome of the case management hearing on Friday, 29 April 2016.
We arranged for the matter to be re-listed for directions before Justice Foster, because Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda (‘the Respondents’) had continuously failed to comply with the Court’s orders made in December last year. In particular, they had failed to confer with us and our experts about the technical documentation the Respondents had provided us.
At last Friday’s hearing, we sought orders requiring the Respondents to provide us with key documentation and information, which we had previously requested on numerous occasions. The Respondents’ lawyers had simply ignored or refused to comply with these requests. We also sought orders compelling the Respondents and their technical experts to participate properly in the expert conferral process regarding their technical document.
We are pleased to report that we had the complete support of the Court in obtaining all of the orders we sought.
The Court’s observations as to the Respondents’ conduct
In hearing about the Respondents’ conduct and behaviour Justice Foster commented during the hearing:
HIS HONOUR: Well, I can tell you, what I get the impression here about Volkswagen’s conduct is that it is scrambling rapidly, as it can, to find a fix, and then it’s going to try to sell that fix to the customers and also bed down the regulators. And they don’t want this case coming down before that happens. That’s what’s going on, I think, and I’m not having it.
During the hearing Justice Foster rebuked Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda for failing to comply with the previous Court orders and failing to explain their actions. The Judge even threatened to enter default judgment against Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda due to their breaches of the previous Court orders, although ultimately did not do so.

[Guest001]

One should read the disclaimer at the bottom of that Email which says it may not be copied or distributed Etc