jeffbrig

I just read the most bizarre thing yet. VW was notified by the EPA in may 2014 and told to fix it. They created a software patch and gave it to them. That software still had the switch, and still failed real world testing. So when given an opportunity to remove the cheat, they apparently left it in there...

Mr.E.G.

Here is my prediction: This will serve as the catalyst for the EPA conducting all future testing. The way it currently works is the EPA more or less tells the manufacturers how to test their cars and then the manufacturers report back to the EPA with their findings. Can you imagine how easy it will be for some congressman to propose a bill that changes the way this testing process works? I see it going that way, with the EPA assuming the testing responsibilities the same way that NHTSA does the crash testing.

While I strongly suspect that this will result in more accurate testing and will be better for consumers, I'm always reluctant to hand another responsibility to the federal government.

Saki GT

I don't think that will actually happen because there is no way the EPA would be able to manage that work load, and I really doubt it would be funded even if it was proposed.

In other news, I heard that the EPA suspects other carmakers of doing similar things, so is going to be looking closer at all makes now.

WolfpackS2k

In most cases I don't think the owner has a choice. Their cars are technically not street legal. In states that mandate yearly emissions testing these cars won't pass without the recall/fix. Without the fix owners can't renew their registration. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of these cars were sold in CA and you know CARB isn't gonna back down on this one.

King Tut

Yep. My RAM EcoDiesel doesn't put out any smoke, but it has tons of systems in place like diesel particulate filters and diesel exhaust fluid injection to keep it a clean diesel. I know if I removed all that shit and flashed the ECU to roll coal I would be getting over 30 MPG.

jeffbrig

Funding won't be a problem. If you do it right, automakes pay a fee to have a car certified, which covers the cost of the testing.

SlowTeg

I'm no tree hugger, but VW ought to be nailed to the cross for this sort of behavior. It's one thing to make a mistake, or even negligence, but outright fraud/lying ought to result in some VERY serious fines and punishments. I can't even believe a large automaker would have the gall to do something like this, program in a direct cheat to pass emissions. Talk about f'ing stupid. This reflects incredibly poorly on the company as a whole.

JonBoy

It's more egregious if they were given the opportunity to correct it and chose to once again try and cheat. I haven't heard that - a link to confirm it would be nice.

JonBoy

VW has also now stated that the affected vehicles are 11 million world wide!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/bu...ndal.html?_r=1

They've set aside $7.3B to fix the problem. Shares are down another 20% today.

Fokker

I doubt they will. I'm sure they'll have to pay something substantial, but they'll get a walk just like GM did.