Volkswagen in America CEO Had More Than One Year To Deal With Cheating Diesels

In a prepared statement released ahead of congressional testimony Thursday, Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn said the automaker knew of emissions issues last spring when West Virginia University researchers published findings that the automaker’s cars were illegally polluting. (Emphasis mine.)

In the spring of 2014 when the West Virginia University study was published, I was told that there was a possible emissions non-compliance that could be remedied. I was informed that EPA regulations included various penalties for non-compliance with the emissions standards and that the agencies can conduct engineering tests which could include “defeat device” testing or analysis. I was also informed that the company engineers would work with the agencies to resolve the issue.

(Should have followed up a little more on that email, probably.)

Horn’s testimony indicates that Volkswagen’s voluntary recall in 2014 was done in conjunction with appropriate “agencies” after they notified the automaker in September of that year of its non-compliance of its 2-liter diesel engines.

Horn will also tell authorities that it has withdrawn application for certification its 2016 model year cars with 2.0-liter diesel engines equipped with “defeat device” ECUs.

These events are deeply troubling. I did not think that something like this was possible at the Volkswagen Group. We have broken the trust of our customers, dealerships, and employees, as well as the public and regulators.

Horn goes on later to say that the automaker will take full responsibility for the scandal that impacts up to 11 million cars — 482,000 in the U.S. — despite mentioning 30 seconds earlier that he heard there was a problem and thought everything was taken care of.