Volkswagen came clean yet again telling the world it “misstated” the number of gas-powered vehicles affected by its CO2 emissions cheat. The company said that 24 gas-powered models out of its 130-model line-up are affected.
If I didn’t enjoy pointing out hypocrisy and wrongdoing so much, I might actually feel sorry for Volkswagen. However, since I do enjoy it, no sympathy. We know VW rigged the CO2 emission levels in its diesel models. We know it rigged the CO2 emission levels in its gas-powered models. Busted again! VW lied about numbers of gas-powered models it rigged.
On November 3, the German automaker issued a statement to the effect that it had low-balled the carbon dioxide emissions in roughly 800k vehicles mainly sold in Europe. It also confessed that the vehicles fuel usage was, therefore, incorrect. VW disclosed that its cheat mainly impacted 1.2 and 1.4 liter diesel engines and the 1.4 liter gas-powered engine with a cylinder cut-off.
Late the evening of Friday the 13th, VW issued yet another statement. The automaker said it had identified “implausible CO2 levels” in other gas-powered models. How many? Roughly 24 models out of the company’s 130 models were impacted. They include the:
- 1.0 liter Seat Ibiza
- 2.0 liter VW Jetta
- 1.0 liter Passat
As though VW needed more negative press and hits to its once-sterling reputation, this latest confession of CO2 emissions and fuel economy only made it worse. The company is preparing for a 2B Euro ($2.1B) hit to its bank account over this latest scandal.
When it all started in September, the VW software cheat affected 11M diesel models across the globe. All in all, VW has now reserved 6.7B Euros ($7.16B) for costs involved in recalling affected models.
How’s that old saying go?
“Cheaters never prosper.”
It certainly rings true in Volkswagen’s case. Seven billion dollars down the drain because corporate executives and finance folks wanted to boost the company’s competitive edge. One wonders if we’ve heard the last “mea culpa” from VW or if more is yet to come.
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