As the Diesel Emits: Investigators Search Volkswagen's Office, US CEO Heads To Congress, and EPA Application For 2016 Models Is Withdrawn

A lot has been happening in the past couple of days for Volkswagen over the diesel emission scandal. Let's get you up to date.

First, Volkswagen of American has pulled its application for EPA certification on 2016 models equipped with the 2.0L diesel four-cylinder until they comply with emission standards for the U.S. Volkswagen hasn't said when they will resend their application for certification.

Next is the Associated Press reporting that German prosecutors carried out searches at a number of Volkswagen facilities, including the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg today. In a statement, the purpose of the searches was to "secure documents and data storage devices" to possibly identify the people involved and figure out how it was done.

"We will support prosecutors as best we can in investigating the matter and the people responsible. This serves a prompt and thorough clearing-up, in which Volkswagen has great interest," Volkswagen said in a statement.

Finally, the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee held their hearing on the Volkswagen diesel scandal today. Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn found himself in the line of fire. Here is a brief overview of what took place,

• Horn said 325,000 of the overall 482,000 vehicles involved in the scandal are fitted with the Gen 1 2.0L diesel engine (including the 2011 Passat TDI which came equipped with a Urea tank) will require hardware and software fix.
  • The fix could take five to ten hours to complete.
  • Other models fitted with newer versions of the 2.0L will only need a software update.
  • Repairs are expected to start sometime next year
    

  [*]Horn testified that it was a few individuals and not the company who decided to implement the software into their diesel vehicles

  • "Either your entire organization is incompetent when it comes to trying to come up with intellectual property, and I don't believe that for a second, or they are complicit at the highest levels in a massive cover-up that continues today," said Rep. Chris Collins, R-NY in response to Horn's answer.
    

  [*]Horn admits that's it hard to believe that Volkswagen's executives didn't know about this software for many years. [*]Volkswagen found about the study done by West Virginia University showing irregularities in two of their diesel models. Horn said Volkswagen engineers confirmed the results of the study and that software change was being worked on. [*]Horn said that he first learned about the software days before Volkswagen came clean to the EPA and California Air Resources Board
  

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Associated Press, The Detroit News, Reuters