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Volkswagen finds CO2 'irregularities' for 800k vehicles

The latest issue for Volkswagen affects another 800,000 vehicles, and this time its for irregularities in CO2 emissions certifications. VW estimates this issue could cost the company $2.2 billion to fix. The company officially makes no specific mention of which engines are covered, the models they are in, or even where they are located. VW discovered the situation during its ongoing internal investigation, and, according to the automaker, "it was established that the CO2 levels and thus the fuel consumption figures for some models were set too low during the CO2 certification process." Most of the affected vehicles are diesels, and the company is now reaching out to "the responsible type approval agencies" to figure out the next step. While VW isn't officially confirming which models and engines are involved, Automotive News reports that it affects some 2012 and later VW, Audi, Seat, and Skoda models with the company's 1.4-, 1.6-, and 2.0-liter diesel engines, as well as the 1.4-liter ACT gasoline engine. The issue mainly affects vehicles sold in Europe. "The Board of Management of Volkswagen AG deeply regrets this situation and wishes to underscore its determination to systematically continue along the present path of clarification and transparency," CEO Matthias Muller said in the announcement. Volkswagen Group of America spokesperson Jeannine Ginivan was able to provide some further clarification to Autoblog. "This is not related to US-certified vehicles," she said. Clarification moving forward: internal investigations at Volkswagen identify irregularities in CO2 levels Matthias Muller: "Relentless and comprehensive clarification is our only alternative." Around 800,000 Group vehicles could be affected Initial estimate puts economic risks at approximately 2 billion euros The Volkswagen Group is moving forward with the clarification of the diesel issue: during the course of internal investigations irregularities were found when determining type approval CO2 levels. Based on present knowledge around 800,000 vehicles from the Volkswagen Group could be affected. An initial estimate puts the economic risks at approximately two billion euros. The Board of Management of Volkswagen AG will immediately start a dialog with the responsible type approval agencies regarding the consequences of these findings. This should lead to a reliable assessment of the legal, and the subsequent economic consequences of this not yet fully explained issue.

CARB has 20 days to confirm VW's 3.0-liter TDI emission fix

VW's diesel scandal has been in the headlines since last September, but solving the problem it proving difficult. Volkswagen Group has submitted a proposal to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fix about 85,000 vehicles with the 3.0-liter diesel V6 in the US, Reuters reports. CARB now has 20 business days to test if the plan actually reduces emissions. If accepted, VW could finally begin a recall and end the stop sale on vehicles with these engines. In a statement, CARB pledged to, "respond following a thorough and complete review to make sure the plan addresses the presence of the illegal defeat device and follows the necessary environmental, vehicle and public health and safety regulations." Neither CARB nor the EPA outlined the proposed repairs, but Porsche CEO Oliver Blume already suggested the fix for the engine in the diesel Cayenne. Examples from 2013 and 2014 allegedly need a new catalytic converter and software update, and those from 2015 and 2016 only need the improved code. It's not yet clear whether this procedure would work for all models with the 3.0 TDI. While the EPA issued the notice of violation against VW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel in September, the first one for the 3.0-liter V6 came in early November. By the end of the month, the agency broadened the scope to about 85,000 vehicles, including some examples of the VW Touareg, Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, and Porsche Cayenne. The affected companies issued stop sales on new models with the engine. Audi eventually admitted to regulators that it didn't disclose three auxiliary emission control devices in the powerplant's code and promised to develop a software update to fix the problem. CARB gave the automaker 45 business days to submit the proposed solution. If accepted, this repair would allow VW Group to end part of the emissions scandal, but there's no guarantee the regulators consent to this solution. Just a few weeks ago, CARB looked at the automaker's plan to fix the 2.0-liter TDI and rejected it, claiming a lack of detail.

Everyone but VW and Tesla has recalled their Takata airbags

Takata's massive airbag inflator recall affected over 32 million vehicles from 11 automakers in the US, but two companies buying the supplier's parts haven't been affected so far: Volkswagen and Tesla. There are 887,055 VWs and 184,926 Teslas using Takata's inflators with ammonium-nitrate propellant, a new accounting shows, according to Automotive News. That doesn't necessarily mean the models need to be recalled. These figures came from a report that Takata prepared for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which listed all of the vehicles it supplied with ammonium nitrate-fueled inflators. The substance is believed to be linked with the components' rupturing, along with manufacturing defects and humidity. "We're not asking because we've got reports of problems; we just need to figure out what the universe is," NHTSA spokesman Gordon Trowbridge said to Automotive News. Takata reportedly told Tesla that the inflators in its EVs are not affected with these problems, and VW is investigating a case in June where a side airbag allegedly burst in a 2015 Tiguan, Automotive News reports. The government is also still researching the precise cause of the parts' ruptures. If the investigation finds ammonium nitrate to be a factor, the vehicles could need recalled. During a Congressional hearing Takata vice president Kevin Kennedy admitted that ammonium nitrate could be among the factors of the ruptures, but the company has continued to use the chemical in its inflators. Takata is now working to transition to a different propellant. Related Video: