1979 Volkswagen Super Beetle Base Convertible 2-door 1.6l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Volkswagen might cut 40 models across brands to save cash

Volkswagen once set out to pass Toyota and General Motors and become the largest automaker in the world. Following months of fallout from the diesel emissions scandal, the manufacturer is rumored to be dropping around 40 models from its company-wide lineup. According to German business and finance publication Handelsblatt, the Volkswagen Group is looking to slim down and remove a number of low-volume vehicles from various lineups. The company currently sells around 340 models across brands that include Audi, Lamborghini, and Bentley. Volkswagen is refusing to comment, but Handelsblatt claims to have sources within the company. Last week, Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Muller announced a new strategy for the company that includes a major focus on electric vehicles and new technology services. During his announcement, Muller said the company would be cutting a number of models, but at the time no numbers, models, or brands were discussed. Despite comments to the contrary, rumors have persisted since late last year that Volkswagen was looking to sell commercial truck and bus manufacturer MAN. Volkswagen owns truck and bus manufacturer Scania, so even if it dropped MAN, the company would still have a foothold within the bus and truck market. There is also talk of the company selling Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, which Volkswagen acquired via Audi in 2012. The company's image has taken a huge hit in the wake of the diesel scandal. Volkswagen has set aside cash in order to pay fines and may be looking to sell these several subsidiaries and cut low-volume models in order offset the costs. Despite the scandal, the company led worldwide sales in the first quarter of 2016. The same was true in 2015, but sales tanked at the end of the year following the diesel revelations. Related Video: Rumormill Audi Bentley Volkswagen Ducati

How the Volkswagen cheating probe developed

Fallout from Volkswagen's revelation that it engaged in cheating on emissions testing continued Monday, with the company's stock falling more than 15 percent and a Congressional subcommittee announcing an investigation into the German auto giant's conduct. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board served Volkswagen with a Notice of Violation on Friday, saying the company intentionally circumvented emissions standards by using "defeat devices." Here's a look back at the agencies' emissions enforcement history and how the charges involving Volkswagen developed. August 1998 – Honda spends $267 million to settle charges it violated the Clean Air Act by disabling "misfire monitoring devices" installed on more than 1.6 million vehicles. Ford spends $7.8 million to settle a charge it violated the Clean Air Act by installing defeat devices on 60,000 Ford Econoline vans. May 2014 – Working with the International Council on Clean Transportation, researchers at West Virginia University find significantly higher in-use emissions from a 2012 Jetta and 2013 Passat and alert the EPA to their findings. November 3, 2014 – Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia agree to pay a $100 million fine for overstating the fuel economy on several of their models by as much as six miles per gallon. In announcing the fine, government officials sought to make an example of the two companies to deter further cheating. VW officials admit the vehicles were designed with a defeat device to "bypass, defeat and render inoperative elements of the vehicle emissions control systems." "This type of conduct quite simply will not be tolerated," said then-Attorney General Eric Holder. "And the Justice Department will never rest or waver in our determination to take action against any company that engages in such activities – whenever and wherever they are uncovered." December 2, 2014 – Following discussions that stemmed from West Virginia University's findings, Volkswagen agrees to initiate a recall of 500,000 cars. The company says a software update will fix the nitrous oxide trap technology and selective catalytic reduction technology causing the cars to miss emissions thresholds. May 6, 2015 – CARB wanted to see whether the software fix implemented by Volkswagen worked. Using portable emissions measurement systems, the regulatory officials found NOx emissions were still significantly higher than expected.

Volkswagen Group recalls 281,505 VWs and Audis for fuel leaks

The Basics: Volkswagen Group is recalling 281,505 total Volkswagen and Audi brand products in the United States for potential fuel leaks. Certain versions of the Audi A3, A6, A7, Q5, and Q7 are affected. In addition, some versions of the Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, and Golf GTI fall under the recall. It's unclear if vehicles outside of the United States will be recalled as well. The Problem: There are actually three separate recalls for three separate issues that all pertain to leaky fuel. All three recalls were issued simultaneously. The risk of unintended ignition is the main concern here. First off, 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 models [28,249 cars] are being recalled because of a degrading fuel hose in the engine compartment. Secondly, 143,214 gas-powered 2009-2012 Audi Q5s and 2007-2012 Audi Q7s are being recalled. The fuel cap may crack on these vehicles, leaking fuel. Finally, 110,042 total units of the 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan, and A3 Cabriolet will be recalled because of fuel leaking from the evaporative emissions system. Injuries/Deaths: According to Reuters, Volkswagen has reported no injuries or deaths related to the fuel leaks. In addition, the company has said there have been no fires started due to the leaks. The Fix: Three separate issues means three separate fixes. Volkswagen and Audi will be reaching out to customers soon, though the parts aren't yet available. For the A6 and A7, Audi will simply replace the under hood hose. For the Q5 and Q7, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. Finally, the affected Golf and A3 models will have the suction cup in the emissions system replaced. If you own one: Volkswagen and Audi will begin contacting owners starting next month regarding a fix. Related Video: News Source: NHTSA, Reuters Recalls Audi Volkswagen