Volkswagen&nbsp;asked for&nbsp;more&nbsp;time&nbsp;to review reports alleging&nbsp;human&nbsp;rights&nbsp;violations tantamount to "modern slavery" on a farm it owned in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;between 1974-1986, according to minutes of an administrative hearing on the&nbsp;probe&nbsp;seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

Public prosecutors summoned&nbsp;Volkswagen&nbsp;to attend an administrative hearing in Brasilia on June 14 to review reports alleging the mistreatment of temporary workers at the farm in&nbsp;Brazil's Amazon region brought forward by the Ministry of Labor.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/we-need-to-change-e-car-approach-in-china-volkswagen-ceo-401451">&nbsp;We need to change e-car approach in China: Volkswagen CEO</a>

The minutes showed lawyers representing the carmaker said that the company needed&nbsp;more&nbsp;time&nbsp;to analyze the reports given this was the first meeting it was participating in on the matter, but that it was treating the case in a serious and committed manner.

Ricardo Rezende, a priest and a professor at the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, had first gathered testimonials from farm workers before submitting reports of mistreatment to prosecutors in 2019.&nbsp;Brazil's Ministry of Labor then independently investigated the claims, collecting its own testimonials from workers who are still alive, according to the minutes of the June 14 meeting.

Watch |&nbsp;German carmaker Volkswagen to make fewer cars globally in 2022 amid global chip shortage

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"The stories are very strong, reporting situations of intense and long-lasting violence, of very serious nature… the situations depicted are some of the most serious which the Ministry of Labor has come to know of in relation to modern slavery," the minutes said.

The testimonials included allegations of repeated outbreaks of malaria among workers, terrible accommodation conditions, debt systems, and discriminatory treatment between permanent workers in the headquarters and temporary farm workers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/volkswagen-to-end-sales-of-combustion-engines-in-europe-by-2035-394125">Volkswagen to end sales of combustion engines in Europe by 2035</a>

A spokesperson for&nbsp;Volkswagen&nbsp;said the carmaker takes the described events at the farm very seriously but that it would not comment further on an ongoing legal investigation.

A second meeting between the carmaker and the working group at&nbsp;Brazil's Public Ministry of Labor was scheduled for Sept. 29.

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Volkswagen asked for more time to review reports alleging human rights violations tantamount to "modern slavery" on a farm it owned in Brazil between 1974-1986, according to minutes of an administrative hearing on the probe seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

Volkswagen asked for more time to review reports alleging human rights violations tantamount to "modern slavery" on a farm it owned in Brazil between 1974-1986, according to minutes of an administrative hearing on the probe seen by Reuters on Wednesday. Public prosecutors summoned Volkswagen to attend an administrative hearing in Brasilia on June 14 to review reports alleging the mistreatment of temporary workers at the farm in Brazil's Amazon region brought forward by the Ministry of Labor. Also read | We need to change e-car approach in China: Volkswagen CEO The minutes showed lawyers representing the carmaker said that the company needed more time to analyze the reports given this was the first meeting it was participating in on the matter, but that it was treating the case in a serious and committed manner. Ricardo Rezende, a priest and a professor at the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, had first gathered testimonials from farm workers before submitting reports of mistreatment to prosecutors in 2019. Brazil's Ministry of Labor then independently investigated the claims, collecting its own testimonials from workers who are still alive, according to the minutes of the June 14 meeting. Watch | German carmaker Volkswagen to make fewer cars globally in 2022 amid global chip shortage "The stories are very strong, reporting situations of intense and long-lasting violence, of very serious nature… the situations depicted are some of the most serious which the Ministry of Labor has come to know of in relation to modern slavery," the minutes said. The testimonials included allegations of repeated outbreaks of malaria among workers, terrible accommodation conditions, debt systems, and discriminatory treatment between permanent workers in the headquarters and temporary farm workers. Also read | Volkswagen to end sales of combustion engines in Europe by 2035 A spokesperson for Volkswagen said the carmaker takes the described events at the farm very seriously but that it would not comment further on an ongoing legal investigation. A second meeting between the carmaker and the working group at Brazil's Public Ministry of Labor was scheduled for Sept. 29. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Volkswagen asks for more time in Brazil human rights probe

Volkswagen will suspend production at two factories in eastern Germany that make electric vehicles because fighting has interrupted deliveries of critical parts from western Ukraine, the company said Friday.

The temporary shutdowns illustrate how war in Ukraine could have unpredictable effects on the global economy, adding to supply chain turmoil that has fueled inflation. Volkswagen and other automakers have been plagued for the last two years by shortages of semiconductors and other components caused by the pandemic and its economic side effects.

One of the factories, in Zwickau, is Volkswagen’s largest production site for electric vehicles, including the ID.4 sport utility vehicle exported to the United States.

Volkswagen has already had trouble meeting demand for its electric vehicles. The company sold 17,000 ID.4s in the United States last year, but could have sold four times that many, executives said. Volkswagen plans to begin producing the car in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this year.

Volkswagen said it would shut down assembly lines in Zwickau, which has a capacity of more than 300,000 vehicles a year, from Tuesday through Friday. The Dresden plant, a showcase factory in the city’s downtown, will stop production Wednesday through Friday.

A Volkswagen spokesman declined to say what parts had been affected by the conflict.

Volkswagen will suspend production at two factories in eastern Germany that make electric vehicles because fighting has interrupted deliveries of critical parts from western Ukraine, the company said Friday.

Volkswagen will suspend production at two factories in eastern Germany that make electric vehicles because fighting has interrupted deliveries of critical parts from western Ukraine, the company said Friday. The temporary shutdowns illustrate how war in Ukraine could have unpredictable effects on the global economy, adding to supply chain turmoil that has fueled inflation. Volkswagen and other automakers have been plagued for the last two years by shortages of semiconductors and other components caused by the pandemic and its economic side effects. One of the factories, in Zwickau, is Volkswagen’s largest production site for electric vehicles, including the ID.4 sport utility vehicle exported to the United States. Volkswagen has already had trouble meeting demand for its electric vehicles. The company sold 17,000 ID.4s in the United States last year, but could have sold four times that many, executives said. Volkswagen plans to begin producing the car in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this year. Volkswagen said it would shut down assembly lines in Zwickau, which has a capacity of more than 300,000 vehicles a year, from Tuesday through Friday. The Dresden plant, a showcase factory in the city’s downtown, will stop production Wednesday through Friday. A Volkswagen spokesman declined to say what parts had been affected by the conflict.

VW to halt production at two German plants for lack of parts made in Ukraine

A Portuguese navy official has said that salvage crews are set to board a blazing ship&nbsp;carrying luxury cars.

The Felicity Ace, carrying around 4,000 vehicles including Porsches, Audis and Bentleys, some with lithium-ion batteries, caught fire on Wednesday last week.

Two ocean-going tugboats with firefighting equipment have hosed down the ship’s hull to cool it, according to the port of Horta harbormaster, Capt. Joao Mendes Cabecas, on the Azores island of Faial.

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The cause of the fire is not known, Mendes Cabecas said, though suspicion has fallen on lithium batteries in electric vehicles the Felicity Ace was taking from Germany to the United States.

“We know from what the captain told us that there were a lot of electric vehicles on board, as well as non-electric vehicles,” he said.

The fire broke out on a cargo deck where the vehicles were stowed, according to Mendes Cabecas, but when the alarm went off there was already too much smoke to make out where the blaze had started.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-burning-cargo-ship-consisting-luxury-cars-is-adrift-in-mid-atlantic-454221">Also read |&nbsp;A burning cargo ship, consisting luxury cars, is adrift in mid-Atlantic</a>

Mendes Cabecas said there was currently no threat of pollution. Hoses are not being aimed inside the vessel, to avoid runoff from lithium batteries going into the sea.

Ship manager Mitsui OSK&nbsp;Lines Ltd (MOL) said in a statement the vessel was still on fire but stable, and that no oil leak had been reported so far. It also said the ship was drifting further from the Azores islands in the Atlantic ocean.

"Together with the all relevant parties, MOL is making every effort to contain the damage and resolve the situation as soon as possible," MOL said.

"When conditions are safe the salvage team will board the Felicity Ace for an initial assessment," MOL added.

The ship is carrying 2,000 metric tons (2,200 tons) of fuel and 2,000 metric tons (2,200 tons) of oil.

The weather in the area, 190 nautical miles (350 kilometers/220 miles) south of the Azores, is fair, with a swell of less than 2 metres (6.5 feet).

(With inputs from agencies)

A Portuguese navy official has said that salvage crews are set to board a blazing ship carrying luxury cars. The Felicity Ace, carrying around 4,000 vehicles including Porsches, Audis and Bentleys, some with lithium-ion batteries, caught fire on Wednesday last week.

A Portuguese navy official has said that salvage crews are set to board a blazing ship carrying luxury cars. The Felicity Ace, carrying around 4,000 vehicles including Porsches, Audis and Bentleys, some with lithium-ion batteries, caught fire on Wednesday last week. Two ocean-going tugboats with firefighting equipment have hosed down the ship’s hull to cool it, according to the port of Horta harbormaster, Capt. Joao Mendes Cabecas, on the Azores island of Faial. The cause of the fire is not known, Mendes Cabecas said, though suspicion has fallen on lithium batteries in electric vehicles the Felicity Ace was taking from Germany to the United States. “We know from what the captain told us that there were a lot of electric vehicles on board, as well as non-electric vehicles,” he said. The fire broke out on a cargo deck where the vehicles were stowed, according to Mendes Cabecas, but when the alarm went off there was already too much smoke to make out where the blaze had started. Also read | A burning cargo ship, consisting luxury cars, is adrift in mid-Atlantic Mendes Cabecas said there was currently no threat of pollution. Hoses are not being aimed inside the vessel, to avoid runoff from lithium batteries going into the sea. Ship manager Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd (MOL) said in a statement the vessel was still on fire but stable, and that no oil leak had been reported so far. It also said the ship was drifting further from the Azores islands in the Atlantic ocean. "Together with the all relevant parties, MOL is making every effort to contain the damage and resolve the situation as soon as possible," MOL said. "When conditions are safe the salvage team will board the Felicity Ace for an initial assessment," MOL added. The ship is carrying 2,000 metric tons (2,200 tons) of fuel and 2,000 metric tons (2,200 tons) of oil. The weather in the area, 190 nautical miles (350 kilometers/220 miles) south of the Azores, is fair, with a swell of less than 2 metres (6.5 feet). (With inputs from agencies)

Salvage crews set to board blazing ship carrying luxury cars in Atlantic Ocean

For much of last year, established automakers like General Motors and Ford Motor Co. operated in a different reality from Tesla, the electric car company.

GM and Ford closed one factory after another — sometimes for months on end — because of a shortage of computer chips, leaving dealer lots bare and sending car prices zooming. Yet Tesla racked up record sales quarter after quarter and ended the year having sold nearly twice as many vehicles as it did in 2020, unhindered by an industrywide crisis.

Tesla’s ability to conjure up critical components has a greater significance than one year’s car sales. It suggests that the company, and possibly other young electric car businesses, could threaten the dominance of giants like Volkswagen and GM sooner and more forcefully than most industry executives and policymakers realize. That would help the effort to reduce the emissions that are causing climate change by displacing more gasoline-powered cars sooner. But it could hurt the millions of workers, thousands of suppliers and numerous local and national governments that rely on traditional auto production for jobs, business and tax revenue.

Tesla and its enigmatic CEO, Elon Musk, have said little about how the carmaker ran circles around the rest of the auto industry. Now it’s becoming clear that the company simply had a superior command of technology and its own supply chain. Tesla appeared to better forecast demand than businesses that produce many more cars than it does. Other automakers were surprised by how quickly the car market recovered from a steep drop early in the pandemic and had simply not ordered enough chips and parts fast enough.

When Tesla couldn’t get the chips it had counted on, it took the ones that were available and rewrote the software that operated them to suit its needs. Larger auto companies couldn’t do that because they relied on outside suppliers for much of their software and computing expertise. In many cases, automakers also relied on these suppliers to deal with chip manufacturers. When the crisis hit, the automakers lacked bargaining clout.

Just a few years ago, analysts saw Musk’s insistence on having Tesla do more things on its own as one of the main reasons the company was struggling to increase production. Now, his strategy appears to have been vindicated.

Cars are becoming increasingly digital, defined by their software as much as their engines and transmissions. It’s a reality that some old-line car companies increasingly acknowledge. Many, including Ford and Mercedes-Benz, have said in recent months that they are hiring engineers and programmers to design their own chips and write their own software.

“Tesla, born in Silicon Valley, never outsourced their software. They write their own code,” said Morris Cohen, a professor emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who specializes in manufacturing and logistics. “They rewrote the software so they could replace chips in short supply with chips not in short supply. The other carmakers were not able to do that.”

“Tesla controlled its destiny,” Cohen added.

Tesla sold 936,000 cars globally in 2021, an 87% increase for the year. Ford, GM and Stellantis, the company formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot, all sold fewer cars in 2021 than they did in 2020.

Measured by vehicles delivered globally, Tesla vaulted past Volvo and Subaru in 2021, and some analysts predicted that it could sell 2 million cars this year, as factories in Berlin and Austin, Texas, come online and a plant in Shanghai ramps up production. That would put Tesla in the same league as BMW and Mercedes — something few in the industry thought possible just a couple of years ago.

GM and Ford, of course, sell many more cars and trucks. Both companies said last week that they sold around 2 million vehicles last year just in the United States.

Tesla, which rarely answers questions from reporters, did not respond to a request for comment for this article. It has said little publicly about how it managed to soar in a down market.

“We have used alternative parts and programmed software to mitigate the challenges caused by these shortages,” the company said in its third-quarter earnings report.

The performance is a stark turnaround from 2018, when Tesla’s production and supply problems made it an industry laughingstock. Many of the manufacturing snafus stemmed from Musk’s insistence that the company make many parts itself.

Other car companies have realized that they need to do some of what Musk and Tesla have been doing all along and are in the process of taking control of their onboard computer systems.

Mercedes, for example, plans to use fewer specialized chips in coming models and more standardized semiconductors, and to write its own software, said Markus Schäfer, a member of the German carmaker’s management board who oversees procurement.

In the future, Mercedes will “make sure we have customized, standardized chips in the car,” Schäfer said in an interview Wednesday. “Not 1,000 different chips.”

Mercedes will also design its own vehicle hardware, he said. Without mentioning Tesla, Schäfer added, “Probably some others were earlier going down this road.”

Doing more on its own also helps explain why Tesla avoided shortages of batteries, which have limited companies like Ford and GM from selling lots of electric cars. In 2014, when most carmakers were still debating whether electric vehicles would ever amount to anything, Tesla broke ground on what it called a gigafactory outside Reno, Nevada, to produce batteries with its partner, Panasonic. Now, that factory helps ensure a reliable supply.

“It was a big risk,” said Ryan Melsert, a former Tesla executive who was involved in construction of the Nevada plant. “But because they have made decisions early on to bring things in-house, they have much more control over their own fate.”

As Cohen of Wharton pointed out, Tesla’s approach is in many ways a throwback to the early days of the automobile, when Ford owned its own steel plants and rubber plantations. In recent decades, the conventional auto wisdom had it that manufacturers should concentrate on design and final assembly and farm out the rest to suppliers. That strategy helped reduce how much money big players tied up in factories but left them vulnerable to supply chain turmoil.

It also helps that Tesla is a much smaller company than Volkswagen and Toyota, which in a good year produce more than 10 million vehicles each. “It’s just a smaller supply chain to begin with,” said Melsert, who is now CEO of American Battery Technology Co., a recycling and mining firm.

The Tesla lineup is also more modest and easier to supply. The Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV accounted for almost all of the company’s sales in 2021. Tesla also offers fewer options than many of the traditional carmakers, which simplifies manufacturing.

“It’s a more streamlined approach,” said Phil Amsrud, a senior principal analyst who specializes in automotive semiconductors at IHS Markit, a research firm. “They are not trying to manage all these different configurations.”

Tesla software, which can be updated remotely, is considered the most sophisticated in the auto business. Even so, the company’s cars likely use fewer chips, analysts said, because the company controls functions like battery cooling and autonomous driving from a smaller number of centralized, onboard computers.

“Tesla has fewer boxes,” Amsrud said. “The fewer the components you need right now, the better.”

Of course, Tesla could still run into problems as it tries to replicate the growth it achieved in 2021 — it is aiming to increase sales about 50% a year for the next several years. The company acknowledged in its third-quarter report that its creative maneuvering around supply chain chaos might not work so well as it increased production and needed more chips and other parts.

The electric vehicle market is also becoming much more competitive as the traditional carmakers belatedly respond with models that people want to buy rather than the small electric vehicles typically made to appease regulators. Ford said this past week that it would nearly double production of the Lightning, an electric version of its popular F-150 pickup truck, because of strong demand. Tesla’s pickup truck won’t go on sale for at least another year.

The outlook for the traditional carmakers is likely to improve this year as shortages of semiconductors and other components ease, and as manufacturers get better at coping.

Tesla vehicles still suffer from quality problems. The company told regulators in December that it planned to recall more than 475,000 cars for two separate defects. One could cause the rearview camera to fail, and the other could cause the front hood to open unexpectedly. And federal regulators are investigating the safety of Tesla’s Autopilot system, which can accelerate, brake and steer a car on its own.

“Tesla will continue to grow,” said Stephen Beck, managing partner at cg42, a management consulting firm in New York. “But they are facing more competition than they ever have, and the competition is getting stronger.”

The carmaker’s fundamental advantage, which allowed it to sail through the chip crisis, will remain, however. Tesla builds nothing but electric vehicles and is unencumbered by habits and procedures that have been rendered obsolete by new technology. “Tesla started from a clean sheet of paper,” Amsrud said.

For much of last year, established automakers like General Motors and Ford Motor Co. operated in a different reality from Tesla, the electric car company. GM and Ford closed one factory after another — sometimes for months on end — because of a shortage of computer chips, leaving dealer lots bare and sending car prices zooming.

For much of last year, established automakers like General Motors and Ford Motor Co. operated in a different reality from Tesla, the electric car company. GM and Ford closed one factory after another — sometimes for months on end — because of a shortage of computer chips, leaving dealer lots bare and sending car prices zooming. Yet Tesla racked up record sales quarter after quarter and ended the year having sold nearly twice as many vehicles as it did in 2020, unhindered by an industrywide crisis. Tesla’s ability to conjure up critical components has a greater significance than one year’s car sales. It suggests that the company, and possibly other young electric car businesses, could threaten the dominance of giants like Volkswagen and GM sooner and more forcefully than most industry executives and policymakers realize. That would help the effort to reduce the emissions that are causing climate change by displacing more gasoline-powered cars sooner. But it could hurt the millions of workers, thousands of suppliers and numerous local and national governments that rely on traditional auto production for jobs, business and tax revenue. Tesla and its enigmatic CEO, Elon Musk, have said little about how the carmaker ran circles around the rest of the auto industry. Now it’s becoming clear that the company simply had a superior command of technology and its own supply chain. Tesla appeared to better forecast demand than businesses that produce many more cars than it does. Other automakers were surprised by how quickly the car market recovered from a steep drop early in the pandemic and had simply not ordered enough chips and parts fast enough. When Tesla couldn’t get the chips it had counted on, it took the ones that were available and rewrote the software that operated them to suit its needs. Larger auto companies couldn’t do that because they relied on outside suppliers for much of their software and computing expertise. In many cases, automakers also relied on these suppliers to deal with chip manufacturers. When the crisis hit, the automakers lacked bargaining clout. Just a few years ago, analysts saw Musk’s insistence on having Tesla do more things on its own as one of the main reasons the company was struggling to increase production. Now, his strategy appears to have been vindicated. Cars are becoming increasingly digital, defined by their software as much as their engines and transmissions. It’s a reality that some old-line car companies increasingly acknowledge. Many, including Ford and Mercedes-Benz, have said in recent months that they are hiring engineers and programmers to design their own chips and write their own software. “Tesla, born in Silicon Valley, never outsourced their software. They write their own code,” said Morris Cohen, a professor emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who specializes in manufacturing and logistics. “They rewrote the software so they could replace chips in short supply with chips not in short supply. The other carmakers were not able to do that.” “Tesla controlled its destiny,” Cohen added. Tesla sold 936,000 cars globally in 2021, an 87% increase for the year. Ford, GM and Stellantis, the company formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot, all sold fewer cars in 2021 than they did in 2020. Measured by vehicles delivered globally, Tesla vaulted past Volvo and Subaru in 2021, and some analysts predicted that it could sell 2 million cars this year, as factories in Berlin and Austin, Texas, come online and a plant in Shanghai ramps up production. That would put Tesla in the same league as BMW and Mercedes — something few in the industry thought possible just a couple of years ago. GM and Ford, of course, sell many more cars and trucks. Both companies said last week that they sold around 2 million vehicles last year just in the United States. Tesla, which rarely answers questions from reporters, did not respond to a request for comment for this article. It has said little publicly about how it managed to soar in a down market. “We have used alternative parts and programmed software to mitigate the challenges caused by these shortages,” the company said in its third-quarter earnings report. The performance is a stark turnaround from 2018, when Tesla’s production and supply problems made it an industry laughingstock. Many of the manufacturing snafus stemmed from Musk’s insistence that the company make many parts itself. Other car companies have realized that they need to do some of what Musk and Tesla have been doing all along and are in the process of taking control of their onboard computer systems. Mercedes, for example, plans to use fewer specialized chips in coming models and more standardized semiconductors, and to write its own software, said Markus Schäfer, a member of the German carmaker’s management board who oversees procurement. In the future, Mercedes will “make sure we have customized, standardized chips in the car,” Schäfer said in an interview Wednesday. “Not 1,000 different chips.” Mercedes will also design its own vehicle hardware, he said. Without mentioning Tesla, Schäfer added, “Probably some others were earlier going down this road.” Doing more on its own also helps explain why Tesla avoided shortages of batteries, which have limited companies like Ford and GM from selling lots of electric cars. In 2014, when most carmakers were still debating whether electric vehicles would ever amount to anything, Tesla broke ground on what it called a gigafactory outside Reno, Nevada, to produce batteries with its partner, Panasonic. Now, that factory helps ensure a reliable supply. “It was a big risk,” said Ryan Melsert, a former Tesla executive who was involved in construction of the Nevada plant. “But because they have made decisions early on to bring things in-house, they have much more control over their own fate.” As Cohen of Wharton pointed out, Tesla’s approach is in many ways a throwback to the early days of the automobile, when Ford owned its own steel plants and rubber plantations. In recent decades, the conventional auto wisdom had it that manufacturers should concentrate on design and final assembly and farm out the rest to suppliers. That strategy helped reduce how much money big players tied up in factories but left them vulnerable to supply chain turmoil. It also helps that Tesla is a much smaller company than Volkswagen and Toyota, which in a good year produce more than 10 million vehicles each. “It’s just a smaller supply chain to begin with,” said Melsert, who is now CEO of American Battery Technology Co., a recycling and mining firm. The Tesla lineup is also more modest and easier to supply. The Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV accounted for almost all of the company’s sales in 2021. Tesla also offers fewer options than many of the traditional carmakers, which simplifies manufacturing. “It’s a more streamlined approach,” said Phil Amsrud, a senior principal analyst who specializes in automotive semiconductors at IHS Markit, a research firm. “They are not trying to manage all these different configurations.” Tesla software, which can be updated remotely, is considered the most sophisticated in the auto business. Even so, the company’s cars likely use fewer chips, analysts said, because the company controls functions like battery cooling and autonomous driving from a smaller number of centralized, onboard computers. “Tesla has fewer boxes,” Amsrud said. “The fewer the components you need right now, the better.” Of course, Tesla could still run into problems as it tries to replicate the growth it achieved in 2021 — it is aiming to increase sales about 50% a year for the next several years. The company acknowledged in its third-quarter report that its creative maneuvering around supply chain chaos might not work so well as it increased production and needed more chips and other parts. The electric vehicle market is also becoming much more competitive as the traditional carmakers belatedly respond with models that people want to buy rather than the small electric vehicles typically made to appease regulators. Ford said this past week that it would nearly double production of the Lightning, an electric version of its popular F-150 pickup truck, because of strong demand. Tesla’s pickup truck won’t go on sale for at least another year. The outlook for the traditional carmakers is likely to improve this year as shortages of semiconductors and other components ease, and as manufacturers get better at coping. Tesla vehicles still suffer from quality problems. The company told regulators in December that it planned to recall more than 475,000 cars for two separate defects. One could cause the rearview camera to fail, and the other could cause the front hood to open unexpectedly. And federal regulators are investigating the safety of Tesla’s Autopilot system, which can accelerate, brake and steer a car on its own. “Tesla will continue to grow,” said Stephen Beck, managing partner at cg42, a management consulting firm in New York. “But they are facing more competition than they ever have, and the competition is getting stronger.” The carmaker’s fundamental advantage, which allowed it to sail through the chip crisis, will remain, however. Tesla builds nothing but electric vehicles and is unencumbered by habits and procedures that have been rendered obsolete by new technology. “Tesla started from a clean sheet of paper,” Amsrud said.

Why Tesla soared as other automakers struggled to make cars

With the ongoing global chip shortage, German carmaker Volkswagen is all set to manufacture and deliver fewer cars globally in 2022.

German carmaker Volkswagen to make fewer cars globally in 2022 amid global chip shortage

Volkswagen will launch its awaited compact crossover, the Taigun, in the Indian market very soon. Based on the VW Group's India-specific MQB platform, like the Skoda Kushaq, the Taigun will get its design cues from the larger Tiguan SUV. But how it behaves on the Indian roads, and will it be a game-changer for the German brand in India, these two things we are going to tell you in this video.

WION Pitstop | Volkswagen Taigun review: Will it be a game-changer for VW India

The tie-up could be announced as soon as Wednesday if talks about an agreement in principal are successful, although no deal has been reached yet,

Volkswagen in advanced talks to buy Europcar

The European Union has handed down more than $1 billion in fines to four major German car manufacturers, saying they colluded to limit the development and rollout of car emission control systems.

World Business Watch: EU fines 4 German carmakers over emission collusion

Volkswagen's Mexico unit has said it expects to restart production of several segments from next week and in July after output was curtailed by a global semiconductor chip supply crunch.

World Business Watch: Volkswagen's Mexico to resume production hit by global chip shortage

German carmaker Volkswagen will stop selling combustion engines cars in Europe by 2035 as it shifts to electric vehicles, but later in the United States and China, a board member was quoted as saying on Saturday. 
 
"In Europe, we will exit the business with internal combustion vehicles between 2033 and 2035, in the United States and China somewhat later," Klaus Zellmer, Volkswagen board member for sales, told the Muenchner Merkur newspaper. 
 
"In South America and Africa, it will take a good deal longer due to the fact that the political and infrastructure framework conditions are still missing." 
 
By 2050 at the latest, the entire Volkswagen fleet should be CO2-neutral, Zellmer told the newspaper. 
 
In Europe, he is aiming for electric cars to account for 70% of total sales by 2030. This would prepare the company for a possible tightening of the European Union's climate targets and even go beyond them. 
 
EU policymakers have clamped down on exhaust emissions, forcing carmakers to spur development of low-emission technology or face penalties if they exceed limits on CO2 emissions.

German carmaker Volkswagen will stop selling combustion engines cars in Europe by 2035 as it shifts to electric vehicles, but later in the United States and China, a board member was quoted as saying on Saturday.

German carmaker Volkswagen will stop selling combustion engines cars in Europe by 2035 as it shifts to electric vehicles, but later in the United States and China, a board member was quoted as saying on Saturday. "In Europe, we will exit the business with internal combustion vehicles between 2033 and 2035, in the United States and China somewhat later," Klaus Zellmer, Volkswagen board member for sales, told the Muenchner Merkur newspaper. "In South America and Africa, it will take a good deal longer due to the fact that the political and infrastructure framework conditions are still missing." By 2050 at the latest, the entire Volkswagen fleet should be CO2-neutral, Zellmer told the newspaper. In Europe, he is aiming for electric cars to account for 70% of total sales by 2030. This would prepare the company for a possible tightening of the European Union's climate targets and even go beyond them. EU policymakers have clamped down on exhaust emissions, forcing carmakers to spur development of low-emission technology or face penalties if they exceed limits on CO2 emissions.

Volkswagen to end sales of combustion engines in Europe by 2035

France has launched a judicial investigation into German car giant Volkswagen for allegations of fraud relating to the emissions by its diesel cars, the latest legal action to be taken in the global Dieselgate scandal.

France launches legal probe into VW in Dieselgate scandal

According to a report, the Volkswagen Group has received a $9.2 billion non-binding offer for auto manufacturing company Lamborghini from an investment group called Quantum Group AG.

World Business Watch: VW group allegedly receives offer to sell Lamborghini for $9.2 Billion

Volkswagen expects semiconductor supplies to car sector to remain tight incoming months. Ralf Brandstaetter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand and member of the carmaker's management board said "I think the situation will remain tense".

World Business Watch: Volkswagen expects chip supply to remain tight in coming months

Volkswagen has warned managers to prepare for a bigger production hit in the second quarter than the first due to a global chip shortage. Wayne Griffiths, president of Volkswagen's Spanish brand Seat called the shortage the "biggest challenge" the company faces at the moment.

World Business Watch: Volkswagen warns less production over chip shortage

US unit of Volkswagen issued false statements this week saying it would change its brand name to “Voltswagen,” but its prank unfortunately backfired.

Volkswagen says 'Voltswagen' name change was 'pre-April Fool's Day joke

German carmaker Volkswagen is not changing its name in the United States, contrary to a news release commissioned by the company itself. Turns out, the company announced that the US operations would be renamed to&nbsp;“Voltswagen of America” to shed light on its efforts in development of electric vehicles.

However, it all turned out to be an early April Fool’s gimmick.&nbsp;

Soon after the announcement, many criticised the company for the misleading news release, while others reminded the company of the diesel scandal from years ago whereby thousands of customers were misled into believing their cars were in line with environment protocols, but a cheat device was used to show these readings.

"Volkswagen&nbsp;of America will not be changing its name to Voltswagen. The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fool’s Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV and signaling our commitment to bringing electric mobility to all," a Volkswagen spokesperson said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/business-economy/volkswagen-aims-to-use-its-size-to-head-off-tesla-370942" hreflang="en">Volkswagen aims to use its size to head off Tesla</a>

The news release first emerged on the company’s website, and included a detailed description of the company’s rebranding efforts, including new logos. But it was withdrawn later on Tuesday. Reuters cited a Volkswagen spokesman in Germany saying that the rebranding was a “nice idea” to market the vehicles.

Volkswagen is the world’s second-largest carmaker, and expects to increase electric car deliveries this year in a bid to completely switch from fuel cars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/business-economy/volkswagen-signs-deal-with-microsoft-to-develop-self-driving-vehicles-362855" hreflang="en">Volkswagen signs deal with Microsoft to develop self-driving vehicles</a>

The company is investing $19 billion in electrification and digitalisation of its vehicles by 2025. The company has committed to selling one million electric vehicles worldwide by 2025.

In 2015, the company admitted to rigging the software in diesel cars for better results. The company had to pay $38 billion in fines and legal costs.

After pleading guilty to fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements in 2017, Volkswagen reached a $4.3 billion settlement with the US Justice Department.

German carmaker Volkswagen is not changing its name in the United States, contrary to a news release commissioned by the company itself. Turns out, the company announced that the US operations would be renamed to “Voltswagen of America” to shed light on its efforts in development of electric vehicles.

German carmaker Volkswagen is not changing its name in the United States, contrary to a news release commissioned by the company itself. Turns out, the company announced that the US operations would be renamed to “Voltswagen of America” to shed light on its efforts in development of electric vehicles. However, it all turned out to be an early April Fool’s gimmick. Soon after the announcement, many criticised the company for the misleading news release, while others reminded the company of the diesel scandal from years ago whereby thousands of customers were misled into believing their cars were in line with environment protocols, but a cheat device was used to show these readings. "Volkswagen of America will not be changing its name to Voltswagen. The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fool’s Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV and signaling our commitment to bringing electric mobility to all," a Volkswagen spokesperson said. Also read: Volkswagen aims to use its size to head off Tesla The news release first emerged on the company’s website, and included a detailed description of the company’s rebranding efforts, including new logos. But it was withdrawn later on Tuesday. Reuters cited a Volkswagen spokesman in Germany saying that the rebranding was a “nice idea” to market the vehicles. Volkswagen is the world’s second-largest carmaker, and expects to increase electric car deliveries this year in a bid to completely switch from fuel cars. Also read: Volkswagen signs deal with Microsoft to develop self-driving vehicles The company is investing $19 billion in electrification and digitalisation of its vehicles by 2025. The company has committed to selling one million electric vehicles worldwide by 2025. In 2015, the company admitted to rigging the software in diesel cars for better results. The company had to pay $38 billion in fines and legal costs. After pleading guilty to fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements in 2017, Volkswagen reached a $4.3 billion settlement with the US Justice Department.

No, Volkswagen is not changing its name to 'Voltswagen of America'

India plans to offer fresh incentives to companies making electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a broad auto sector scheme it expects to attract $14 billion of investment over five years, according to industry sources and a document seen by Reuters.

The country's efforts to promote EVs to reduce its oil dependence and cut pollution has been under discussion since mid-2020 to provide a more focused approach, industry sources close to the matter told Reuters. The plans envisage $8 billion of incentives for carmakers and suppliers over a five-year period to drive large investment in the sector.

Final details of the scheme are expected within a month, but companies will be able to apply for incentives from April 1, the sources said.

Companies will receive 4-7 per cent&nbsp;government cashbacks on the eligible sale and export value of vehicles and components, but for EVs and their components there is an additional 2 per cent&nbsp;as a "growth incentive" to promote electric mobility, according to the draft policy document seen by Reuters.

Elon Musk's Tesla Inc is already gearing up to enter India while rivals including Ford, Volkswagen and India's Tata Motors and Mahindra &amp; Mahindra also have plans to invest billions of dollars in EVs to meet stricter global emissions regulations.

Automotive component manufacturers in India must be ready to pivot their product offerings to cater for the shift towards EVs, the document said.

Made in India

The automotive incentive scheme is part of India's broader $27 billion programme to attract manufacturers from the likes of China and Vietnam to capture a bigger share of the global supply chain and exports.

But for new companies entering India, as well as existing automakers, challenges abound.

Steep interest rates and power tariffs, as well as poor infrastructure and high logistics costs, make it costlier for companies to operate in India compared with rivals such as Thailand or Vietnam.

"The (new) scheme proposes financial incentives to help overcome these disabilities and make India more competitive," the draft policy document said, referring to inefficiencies that it said can lead to 5-8 per cent higher costs for manufacturers in India.

The government expects the scheme to bring an additional investment of $14 billion, create 5.8 million new jobs and rake in more than $4 billion in total tax revenue over five years.

To benefit from the scheme automakers must meet conditions including minimum global revenue of $1.4 billion. For auto parts makers it is $69 million. The companies must grow by at least 8% each year to qualify for the incentives, which are also linked to the distance between the factory and point of sale.

The document added that existing programmes focus on a large number of companies that lack scale and "are constrained in their ability to invest and undertake the risk required for rapid growth".

"A change in strategy is needed to focus on promoting firms that have the scale, competitive ability and management capabilities to be automotive champions," it said.

India plans to offer fresh incentives to companies making electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a broad auto sector scheme it expects to attract $14 billion of investment over five years, according to industry sources and a document seen by Reuters.

India plans to offer fresh incentives to companies making electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a broad auto sector scheme it expects to attract $14 billion of investment over five years, according to industry sources and a document seen by Reuters. The country's efforts to promote EVs to reduce its oil dependence and cut pollution has been under discussion since mid-2020 to provide a more focused approach, industry sources close to the matter told Reuters. The plans envisage $8 billion of incentives for carmakers and suppliers over a five-year period to drive large investment in the sector. Final details of the scheme are expected within a month, but companies will be able to apply for incentives from April 1, the sources said. Companies will receive 4-7 per cent government cashbacks on the eligible sale and export value of vehicles and components, but for EVs and their components there is an additional 2 per cent as a "growth incentive" to promote electric mobility, according to the draft policy document seen by Reuters. Elon Musk's Tesla Inc is already gearing up to enter India while rivals including Ford, Volkswagen and India's Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra also have plans to invest billions of dollars in EVs to meet stricter global emissions regulations. Automotive component manufacturers in India must be ready to pivot their product offerings to cater for the shift towards EVs, the document said. Made in India The automotive incentive scheme is part of India's broader $27 billion programme to attract manufacturers from the likes of China and Vietnam to capture a bigger share of the global supply chain and exports. But for new companies entering India, as well as existing automakers, challenges abound. Steep interest rates and power tariffs, as well as poor infrastructure and high logistics costs, make it costlier for companies to operate in India compared with rivals such as Thailand or Vietnam. "The (new) scheme proposes financial incentives to help overcome these disabilities and make India more competitive," the draft policy document said, referring to inefficiencies that it said can lead to 5-8 per cent higher costs for manufacturers in India. The government expects the scheme to bring an additional investment of $14 billion, create 5.8 million new jobs and rake in more than $4 billion in total tax revenue over five years. To benefit from the scheme automakers must meet conditions including minimum global revenue of $1.4 billion. For auto parts makers it is $69 million. The companies must grow by at least 8% each year to qualify for the incentives, which are also linked to the distance between the factory and point of sale. The document added that existing programmes focus on a large number of companies that lack scale and "are constrained in their ability to invest and undertake the risk required for rapid growth". "A change in strategy is needed to focus on promoting firms that have the scale, competitive ability and management capabilities to be automotive champions," it said.

India to launch supercharged push for global electric vehicle players

Volkswagen is going all in on electric cars, with plans to build battery factories in Europe, install a network of charging stations and slash the cost of emission-free travel.

That was the message Monday as the German carmaker staged a so-called Power Day to showcase its latest electric car technology. The event was Volkswagen’s answer to Tesla’s Battery Day presentations, which draw intense attention from investors and electric car buffs.

The session included a number of attention-getting announcements, including a promise that Volkswagen would cut the cost of batteries by up to 50% by the end of the decade, while slashing charging time to 12 minutes.&nbsp;

That would make electric cars cheaper than gasoline vehicles and just as convenient.

Volkswagen also unveiled plans to build six battery factories in Europe in joint ventures with suppliers. And by 2025, the company said, it would have 18,000 charging stations on the continent operating in conjunction with energy companies including BP. The British oil producer said it would offer charging at its filling stations.

“Our transformation will be bigger than anything the industry has seen in the past century,” Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen, said during the two-hour presentation.

The event coincided with the rollout in the United States of the ID.4, an electric SUV that is part of the first generation of Volkswagens designed from the ground up to run on batteries and seen as serious challengers to Tesla’s dominance in electric cars.

At least some analysts are starting to believe Volkswagen’s hype. Swiss bank UBS issued a report this month that ranked Volkswagen just behind Tesla in electric vehicle technology.

Tesla leads in battery technology and software, the UBS report said, but the bank’s analysts gave Volkswagen high marks for its electric car platform — the chassis, motor and other components that drive the vehicle forward and carry the car body. The Volkswagen platform can be produced very efficiently and is flexible enough to accommodate a range of body types, UBS said.

Volkswagen is “a blueprint for what legacy carmakers need to achieve in the years to come,” Patrick Hummel, a UBS analyst, said last week.

Volkswagen is going all in on electric cars, with plans to build battery factories in Europe, install a network of charging stations and slash the cost of emission-free travel.

Volkswagen is going all in on electric cars, with plans to build battery factories in Europe, install a network of charging stations and slash the cost of emission-free travel. That was the message Monday as the German carmaker staged a so-called Power Day to showcase its latest electric car technology. The event was Volkswagen’s answer to Tesla’s Battery Day presentations, which draw intense attention from investors and electric car buffs. The session included a number of attention-getting announcements, including a promise that Volkswagen would cut the cost of batteries by up to 50% by the end of the decade, while slashing charging time to 12 minutes. That would make electric cars cheaper than gasoline vehicles and just as convenient. Volkswagen also unveiled plans to build six battery factories in Europe in joint ventures with suppliers. And by 2025, the company said, it would have 18,000 charging stations on the continent operating in conjunction with energy companies including BP. The British oil producer said it would offer charging at its filling stations. “Our transformation will be bigger than anything the industry has seen in the past century,” Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen, said during the two-hour presentation. The event coincided with the rollout in the United States of the ID.4, an electric SUV that is part of the first generation of Volkswagens designed from the ground up to run on batteries and seen as serious challengers to Tesla’s dominance in electric cars. At least some analysts are starting to believe Volkswagen’s hype. Swiss bank UBS issued a report this month that ranked Volkswagen just behind Tesla in electric vehicle technology. Tesla leads in battery technology and software, the UBS report said, but the bank’s analysts gave Volkswagen high marks for its electric car platform — the chassis, motor and other components that drive the vehicle forward and carry the car body. The Volkswagen platform can be produced very efficiently and is flexible enough to accommodate a range of body types, UBS said. Volkswagen is “a blueprint for what legacy carmakers need to achieve in the years to come,” Patrick Hummel, a UBS analyst, said last week.

Volkswagen aims to use its size to head off Tesla

German carmaker Volkswagen plans to cut up to 4,000 jobs at its plants in Germany by offering early or partial retirement to older employees. It's a move that could cost several hundred million dollars to German auto major.

World Business Watch: German carmaker Volkswagen to cut up to 4,000 jobs via early retirement

Rimac Automobili owner Mate Rimac told that Volkswagen unit Porsche is participating in a financing round, that will see the electric supercar maker raise $157 million-$181 million.

World Business Watch: Report says Porsche to participate in Rimac fund raising

British automotive magazine Car last year reported here that Volkswagen was on the verge of selling Bugatti to Rimac Automobili

Volkswagen to make decision on Bugatti in H1: Reports

German auto giant Volkswagen joined hands with top US tech organisation Microsoft on Thursday for developing self-driving vehicle systems.&nbsp;

Volkswagen, which owns premium car brands like Porsche and Audi, is developing both self-driving cars and driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control in current vehicles.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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The German auto giant said it aims to ramp up development of such systems, which are greatly becoming the norm in the vehicle industry, reports news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-cloud-signs-mega-deal-with-twitter-361603">Google Cloud signs mega deal with Twitter</a>

It aims to invest some (about USD 32.7 billion) 27 billion euros in this field by 2025.

"This is the next step in our strategic partnership," Microsoft director Scott Guthrie said.

Both the companies have not shared details about the terms and financial aspects of the deal.&nbsp;

The deal with Microsoft will allow the software updates adding new features to cars, a practice electric-car maker Tesla started much earlier than its rivals.&nbsp;

In 2018, Volkswagen inked a deal with Microsoft to connect its cars with Azure cloud computing service.&nbsp;

This deal will enable software updates of the same cloud to reflect on Volkswagen's cars.&nbsp;

On similar fronts, General Motors has just inked a deal with Microsoft to push its introduction of autonomous vehicles, while France's Renault partnered with Google last year. 
&nbsp;

German auto giant Volkswagen joined hands with top US tech organisation Microsoft on Thursday for developing self-driving vehicle systems. Volkswagen, which owns premium car brands like Porsche and Audi, is developing both self-driving cars and driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control in current vehicles.

German auto giant Volkswagen joined hands with top US tech organisation Microsoft on Thursday for developing self-driving vehicle systems. Volkswagen, which owns premium car brands like Porsche and Audi, is developing both self-driving cars and driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control in current vehicles. Watch | The German auto giant said it aims to ramp up development of such systems, which are greatly becoming the norm in the vehicle industry, reports news agency AFP. Also read | Google Cloud signs mega deal with Twitter It aims to invest some (about USD 32.7 billion) 27 billion euros in this field by 2025. "This is the next step in our strategic partnership," Microsoft director Scott Guthrie said. Both the companies have not shared details about the terms and financial aspects of the deal. The deal with Microsoft will allow the software updates adding new features to cars, a practice electric-car maker Tesla started much earlier than its rivals. In 2018, Volkswagen inked a deal with Microsoft to connect its cars with Azure cloud computing service. This deal will enable software updates of the same cloud to reflect on Volkswagen's cars. On similar fronts, General Motors has just inked a deal with Microsoft to push its introduction of autonomous vehicles, while France's Renault partnered with Google last year.

Volkswagen signs deal with Microsoft to develop self-driving vehicles

JLR says its Terrain Response technology uses the patented technology to maximize performance on off-road driving surfaces, including grass, snow, mud, sand and rocks.

US opens probe into whether Volkswagen vehicles infringe JLR patents

Volkswagen India has replaced its five-seater Tiguan SUV with an updated seven-seater version - the Tiguan AllSpace. The new model is imported as CBU unit and has been priced at INR 28.14 lakh (ex-showroom). The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace is powered by a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine that develops 190 horsepower and 320Nm of maximum torque. The motor is paired to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The new Tiguan Allspace 2020 boasts of 4Motion AWD (all-wheel drive) system. There are plenty of driver assistance and safety features as well so hit on the video and check what all it has got and how was our experience with the Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace.

WION Pitstop: Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace India review

The Volkswagen T-Roc comes to India as a Completely Built-up Unit (CBU) import and, interestingly, Volkswagen has not made any change to the crossover as compared to the European model. The vehicle comes equipped with six airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system and reverse camera. Powering the Volkswagen T-Roc is the 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. The BS-VI-complaint motor generates 148bhp and 250Nm of peak torque. How it really performs on the Indian roads, that we will tell you in this video.

WION Pitstop: Volkswagen T-Roc India review | Automobile news

Volkswagen is paring back the variety of combustion-engined cars and retooling more factories to build electric vehicles in an effort to keep up with rival Tesla, the chief executive of the world's largest carmaker said.

Volkswagen accelerates shift to electric, autonomous era

Volkswagen is recalling more than 218,000 Jetta in the US to fix a fuel leak problem that can cause fires.

Volkswagen Jettas to be recalled to fix fuel leak

Volkswagen said Wednesday it had signed a deal with prosecutors to compensate former workers at the company's Brazil unit for rights violations committed during the South American country's military dictatorship.

Former workers and their families sued the German carmaker five years ago, alleging its Brazilian security office had collaborated with the military regime (1964-1985) to identify suspected opponents, who were then detained and tortured.

Under the deal with state and federal prosecutors in Brazil, VW will pay 36 million reais (5.5 million euros, $6.4 million) in compensation, including 16.8 million reais for workers and their families, plus donations to various projects including a memorial for victims of the regime, it said in a statement.

"We regret the violations that occurred in the past. For Volkswagen, it is important to deal responsibly with this negative chapter in Brazil's history and promote transparency," VW executive Hiltrud Werner said in the statement.

An independent review commissioned by the company in 2016 had found that security agents at Volkswagen do Brasil had cooperated with the military regime.

Brazil is still coming to terms with the abuses committed by the regime, which was responsible for the murder or disappearance of at least 434 people, according to the National Truth Commission established to investigate dictatorship-era crimes.

An estimated 20,000 people were tortured.

Current President Jair Bolsonaro, an army captain at the time, is an open admirer of the dictatorship.

The far-right leader has triggered controversy by saying the regime's mistake was torturing rather than killing its opponents, and reinstating commemorations of the 1964 coup that installed it.

Volkswagen said Wednesday it had signed a deal with prosecutors to compensate former workers at the company's Brazil unit for rights violations committed during the South American country's military dictatorship.

Volkswagen said Wednesday it had signed a deal with prosecutors to compensate former workers at the company's Brazil unit for rights violations committed during the South American country's military dictatorship. Former workers and their families sued the German carmaker five years ago, alleging its Brazilian security office had collaborated with the military regime (1964-1985) to identify suspected opponents, who were then detained and tortured. Under the deal with state and federal prosecutors in Brazil, VW will pay 36 million reais (5.5 million euros, $6.4 million) in compensation, including 16.8 million reais for workers and their families, plus donations to various projects including a memorial for victims of the regime, it said in a statement. "We regret the violations that occurred in the past. For Volkswagen, it is important to deal responsibly with this negative chapter in Brazil's history and promote transparency," VW executive Hiltrud Werner said in the statement. An independent review commissioned by the company in 2016 had found that security agents at Volkswagen do Brasil had cooperated with the military regime. Brazil is still coming to terms with the abuses committed by the regime, which was responsible for the murder or disappearance of at least 434 people, according to the National Truth Commission established to investigate dictatorship-era crimes. An estimated 20,000 people were tortured. Current President Jair Bolsonaro, an army captain at the time, is an open admirer of the dictatorship. The far-right leader has triggered controversy by saying the regime's mistake was torturing rather than killing its opponents, and reinstating commemorations of the 1964 coup that installed it.

Volkswagen to compensate Brazil dictatorship victims

Coronavirus Pandemic has dented the economic process of some of the biggest well-known car brands including Mercedes. Watch report.

German car industry on a decline: Volkswagen may shift production to Poland

EU consumers should be able to sue Volkswagen in their national courts if they have bought cars with emission cheat devices installed, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Thursday.

EU consumers can sue Volkswagen in national courts

&nbsp;Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess apologised to the company's supervisory board for having made "inappropriate and wrong" statements at an internal event, the carmaker said on Tuesday.

The public acknowledgment that Diess had been forced to apologise to the 19-member board of directors amounts to a severe admonishment of Diess, who had his portfolio of responsibilities curtailed on Monday.

"The members of the Supervisory Board accepted the apology of Dr. Diess, and will continue to support him in his work," the statement added.

Volkswagen replaced Diess as chief executive of the VW brand on Monday and installed chief operating officer Ralf Brandstaetter to lead cost cutting efforts at the company's largest plants in Germany.

Diess, who has been in the top job at Volkswagen since 2018, remains chief executive of a group which also includes brands such as Audi, Bentley, Skoda, Lamborghini and Porsche.

The incident appears to follow a pattern at the carmaker where board members lose backing if their cost cutting and efficiency measures threaten too many local jobs, prompting the company's powerful labour leaders to flex their muscles.

Bernd Pischetsrieder, Volkswagen Group Chief Executive between 2002 and 2006, and Wolfgang Bernhard, VW brand chief between 2005 and 2007 were forced out of their jobs after repeated clashes with VW's works council.

Worker representatives control 9 seats on the 19-member supervisory board at Volkswagen.

Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess apologised to the company's supervisory board for having made "inappropriate and wrong" statements at an internal event, the carmaker said on Tuesday.

Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess apologised to the company's supervisory board for having made "inappropriate and wrong" statements at an internal event, the carmaker said on Tuesday. The public acknowledgment that Diess had been forced to apologise to the 19-member board of directors amounts to a severe admonishment of Diess, who had his portfolio of responsibilities curtailed on Monday. "The members of the Supervisory Board accepted the apology of Dr. Diess, and will continue to support him in his work," the statement added. Volkswagen replaced Diess as chief executive of the VW brand on Monday and installed chief operating officer Ralf Brandstaetter to lead cost cutting efforts at the company's largest plants in Germany. Diess, who has been in the top job at Volkswagen since 2018, remains chief executive of a group which also includes brands such as Audi, Bentley, Skoda, Lamborghini and Porsche. The incident appears to follow a pattern at the carmaker where board members lose backing if their cost cutting and efficiency measures threaten too many local jobs, prompting the company's powerful labour leaders to flex their muscles. Bernd Pischetsrieder, Volkswagen Group Chief Executive between 2002 and 2006, and Wolfgang Bernhard, VW brand chief between 2005 and 2007 were forced out of their jobs after repeated clashes with VW's works council. Worker representatives control 9 seats on the 19-member supervisory board at Volkswagen.

Volkswagen CEO apologised to supervisory board for 'inappropriate' remarks

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