India's environmental watchdog, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has slapped Rs 500 crore fine on German automotive company Volkswagen for damaging environment by using cheat devices in diesel cars in India.

The case relates to health damage caused by excess emissions of pollutants and emissions violations.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the carmaker to deposit the amount within two months.

The tribunal enhanced the compensation amount of Rs 171.34 crore, which was recommended by a NGT-appointed committee, as a means of "creating deterrence".

The automaker, however, said that it did not violate the BS-IV norms and that the test results were based on "road testings" for which there were no prescribed standards.

The bench said, "Sustainable development is the main guiding factor... We are unable to accept the manufacturer's objections to the report."

It said that the apex pollution monitoring body may consider utilising the money towards improving air quality in the National Capital Region and other highly polluted areas.

The green panel had on November 16, last year said that use of 'cheat device' by Volkswagen in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ngt-panel-orders-volkswagen-to-pay-rs-100-crore-fine-in-emissions-case-190884">diesel cars in India</a> leads to environmental damage and had directed it to deposit an interim amount of Rs 100 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

It had also constituted a joint team of representatives of the CPCB, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, which had recommended Rs 171.34-crore fine on Volkswagen as "health damages" for causing air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

The expert committee in its report has estimated that Volkswagen cars released approximately 48.678 tonnes of NOx in 2016 in the national capital.

"Estimated cost of heath damage due to additional NOx emissions from the Volkswagen group vehicles is approximately Rs 171.34 crore using a metro city i.E Delhi as base. The value may be considered conservative due to lack of methodologies for calculating the overall impact of nitrogen oxide on the environment in India and hence only health damages are valued.

"Further, the valuation is for Delhi considering that the value of NOx is 435 tonnes released in the city. This is assumed because lack of data on the geographical locations and plying regions of Volkswagen vehicles which have caused the damage and for all the years which have been considered for damage," the committee has said in its report.

The panel was formed by the NGT on November 16 last year to give its opinion whether the manufacturer has exceeded the prescribed environmental norms and fair estimate of the damage caused to the environment.

The committee has told the NGT that automobiles are a major source of nitrogen oxide. The green panel had said the use of 'cheat device' by Volkswagen in diesel cars in India leads to inference of environmental damage and asked the German carmaker to deposit an interim amount of Rs 100 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board.

The tribunal was hearing pleas filed by Ailawadi, a school teacher, and a few others seeking ban on the sale of Volkswagen vehicles for alleged violation of emission norms.

A 'cheat' or 'defeat device' is a software in diesel engines to manipulate emission tests by changing the performance of the cars globally.

Volkswagen India had in December 2015 announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in India to fix the emission software after ARAI conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms.

The automobile giant had admitted to the use of 'defeat device' in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe and other global markets to manipulate emission test results.

After the tests by ARAI, Volkswagen India had undertaken to rejig the software by recalling around 3.23 lakh vehicles fitted with EA 189 diesel engines which were in alleged violation of emission norms.

The company, however, had said that the recall in India was purely voluntary in nature as it did not face any charges regarding violating emission norms in India, unlike in the US.

India's environmental watchdog, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has slapped Rs 500 crore fine on German automotive company Volkswagen for damaging environment by using cheat devices in diesel cars in India.

India's environmental watchdog, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has slapped Rs 500 crore fine on German automotive company Volkswagen for damaging environment by using cheat devices in diesel cars in India. The case relates to health damage caused by excess emissions of pollutants and emissions violations. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the carmaker to deposit the amount within two months. The tribunal enhanced the compensation amount of Rs 171.34 crore, which was recommended by a NGT-appointed committee, as a means of "creating deterrence". The automaker, however, said that it did not violate the BS-IV norms and that the test results were based on "road testings" for which there were no prescribed standards. The bench said, "Sustainable development is the main guiding factor... We are unable to accept the manufacturer's objections to the report." It said that the apex pollution monitoring body may consider utilising the money towards improving air quality in the National Capital Region and other highly polluted areas. The green panel had on November 16, last year said that use of 'cheat device' by Volkswagen in diesel cars in India leads to environmental damage and had directed it to deposit an interim amount of Rs 100 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It had also constituted a joint team of representatives of the CPCB, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, which had recommended Rs 171.34-crore fine on Volkswagen as "health damages" for causing air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The expert committee in its report has estimated that Volkswagen cars released approximately 48.678 tonnes of NOx in 2016 in the national capital. "Estimated cost of heath damage due to additional NOx emissions from the Volkswagen group vehicles is approximately Rs 171.34 crore using a metro city i.E Delhi as base. The value may be considered conservative due to lack of methodologies for calculating the overall impact of nitrogen oxide on the environment in India and hence only health damages are valued. "Further, the valuation is for Delhi considering that the value of NOx is 435 tonnes released in the city. This is assumed because lack of data on the geographical locations and plying regions of Volkswagen vehicles which have caused the damage and for all the years which have been considered for damage," the committee has said in its report. The panel was formed by the NGT on November 16 last year to give its opinion whether the manufacturer has exceeded the prescribed environmental norms and fair estimate of the damage caused to the environment. The committee has told the NGT that automobiles are a major source of nitrogen oxide. The green panel had said the use of 'cheat device' by Volkswagen in diesel cars in India leads to inference of environmental damage and asked the German carmaker to deposit an interim amount of Rs 100 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board. The tribunal was hearing pleas filed by Ailawadi, a school teacher, and a few others seeking ban on the sale of Volkswagen vehicles for alleged violation of emission norms. A 'cheat' or 'defeat device' is a software in diesel engines to manipulate emission tests by changing the performance of the cars globally. Volkswagen India had in December 2015 announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in India to fix the emission software after ARAI conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms. The automobile giant had admitted to the use of 'defeat device' in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe and other global markets to manipulate emission test results. After the tests by ARAI, Volkswagen India had undertaken to rejig the software by recalling around 3.23 lakh vehicles fitted with EA 189 diesel engines which were in alleged violation of emission norms. The company, however, had said that the recall in India was purely voluntary in nature as it did not face any charges regarding violating emission norms in India, unlike in the US.

Emission fiasco: NGT slaps Rs 500 crore fine on Volkswagen

After a National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/national-green-tribunal-slaps-rs-25-crore-fine-on-delhi-government-over-air-pollution-181132">recommended major fine on Volkswagen</a> for causing "health damages" and air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the tribunal asked the German carmaker to deposit Rs 100 crore&nbsp;in the emission case&nbsp;by 5pm on Friday.

The anti-pollution body said failure to deposit the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ngt-slaps-rs-5-crore-fine-on-west-bengal-government-for-failing-to-curb-air-pollution-179940">amount would result in punitive action</a> including the arrest of carmaker's India Managing Director(MD) and seizure of all properties in India.

On Tuesday, a four-member panel had recommended &nbsp;Rs 171.34 crore fine on German auto major for causing health hazard in Delhi. The expert committee in its report had estimated that Volkswagen cars released approximately 48.678 tonnes of NOx in 2016 in the national capital.

Nitrogen oxide is a smog-forming pollutant linked to heart and lung disease.

The four-member panel comprising of ARAI director Rashmi Urdhwareshe, chief scientist of CSIR-NEERI Dr Nitin Labhsetwar, director of ministry of heavy industries Ramakant Singh and Prashant Gargava, member of CPCB had concluded that the approximate figure of Rs 171.34 crore was a "conservative" estimate due to lack of methodologies for calculating the overall impact of nitrogen oxide on the environment in India.

The panel was formed last year to give expert advice on effect of car emissions on the environment. The committee had told the NGT that cars were a major source of nitrogen oxide emissions with nitrogen dioxide being the most prevalent source form of nitrogen oxide.

In December 2015, Volkswagen India had announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in the country to fix the emission software after ARAI had conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms.

The German company had admitted to the use of 'defeat device' in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe, and other global markets to manipulate emission test results.

Last month as fog conditions escalated in the capital, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had said the government would implement the odd-even scheme, to regulate plying of private vehicles in the city.

However, the measure wasn't implemented as pollution levels remained under control in the last week of December and in the new year. 
&nbsp;

After a National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel recommended major fine on Volkswagen for causing "health damages" and air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the tribunal asked the German carmaker to deposit Rs 100 crore in the emission case by 5pm on Friday.

After a National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel recommended major fine on Volkswagen for causing "health damages" and air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the tribunal asked the German carmaker to deposit Rs 100 crore in the emission case by 5pm on Friday. The anti-pollution body said failure to deposit the amount would result in punitive action including the arrest of carmaker's India Managing Director(MD) and seizure of all properties in India. On Tuesday, a four-member panel had recommended Rs 171.34 crore fine on German auto major for causing health hazard in Delhi. The expert committee in its report had estimated that Volkswagen cars released approximately 48.678 tonnes of NOx in 2016 in the national capital. Nitrogen oxide is a smog-forming pollutant linked to heart and lung disease. The four-member panel comprising of ARAI director Rashmi Urdhwareshe, chief scientist of CSIR-NEERI Dr Nitin Labhsetwar, director of ministry of heavy industries Ramakant Singh and Prashant Gargava, member of CPCB had concluded that the approximate figure of Rs 171.34 crore was a "conservative" estimate due to lack of methodologies for calculating the overall impact of nitrogen oxide on the environment in India. The panel was formed last year to give expert advice on effect of car emissions on the environment. The committee had told the NGT that cars were a major source of nitrogen oxide emissions with nitrogen dioxide being the most prevalent source form of nitrogen oxide. In December 2015, Volkswagen India had announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in the country to fix the emission software after ARAI had conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms. The German company had admitted to the use of 'defeat device' in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe, and other global markets to manipulate emission test results. Last month as fog conditions escalated in the capital, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had said the government would implement the odd-even scheme, to regulate plying of private vehicles in the city. However, the measure wasn't implemented as pollution levels remained under control in the last week of December and in the new year.

NGT panel orders Volkswagen to pay Rs 100 crore fine in emissions case

Volkswagen India said Thursday that its cars are compliant with Indian emission norms but that it would still pay the Rs 100 crore fine the National Green Tribunal had ordered it to.&nbsp;

The NGT had on Thursday ordered Volkswagen to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ngt-panel-orders-volkswagen-to-pay-rs-100-crore-fine-in-emissions-case-190884">pay the Rs 100 crore fine within 24 hours</a>, failing which its directors would be arrested and its properties seized.&nbsp;

‘The Volkswagen Group reiterates that all cars from the Group are compliant with the emission norms in India. The order of the Honourable NGT is already under challenge before the Honourable Supreme Court. However, The Volkswagen Group India will comply with the order of Honourable National Green Tribunal (NGT) and deposit the money, as directed,” Volkswagen said in a statement on Thursday.&nbsp;

The NGT had on Thursday slammed Volkswagen for not depositing the Rs 100 crore imposed on the German auto major for damaging the environment through the use of a "cheat device" in its diesel cars, and directed it to submit the amount within 24 hours failing which its directors would be sent to jail.

The green panel had on November 16, 2018&nbsp;said that the use of the "cheat device" by Volkswagen in diesel cars in India leads to inference of environmental damage and directed it to deposit an interim amount of Rs 100 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

It had also stated the deposit was only an interim measure and constituted a joint team of representatives of the CPCB, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute.

The four-member committee has also recommended Rs 171.34-crore fine on Volkswagen as "health damages" for causing air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

On Thursday, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel took strong exception to the non-compliance of its order by the automobile giant and asked it to give an undertaking that it will submit the amount by 5PM Friday.

"Why have you not complied with our order when there is no stay. We will not give you any further time. You are in default. If you do not deposit the amount, we will order arrest and detention of your directors," the bench, comprising Justice SP Wangdi, said while asking Volkswagen to submit an affidavit of compliance after depositing the amount.&nbsp;

A "cheat" or "defeat device" is a software in diesel engines to manipulate emission tests by changing the performance of the cars globally.

Volkswagen India had in December 2015 announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in India to fix the emission software after ARAI conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms.

The automobile giant had admitted to the use of "cheat devices" in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe and other global markets to manipulate emission test results.

After the tests by ARAI, Volkswagen India had undertaken to rejig the software by recalling around 3.23 lakh vehicles fitted with EA 189 diesel engines which were in alleged violation of emission norms.

The company, however, had said that the recall in India was purely voluntary in nature as it did not face any charges regarding violating emission norms in India, unlike in the US.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Volkswagen India said Thursday that its cars are compliant with Indian emission norms but that it would still pay the Rs 100 crore fine the National Green Tribunal had ordered it to.

Volkswagen India said Thursday that its cars are compliant with Indian emission norms but that it would still pay the Rs 100 crore fine the National Green Tribunal had ordered it to. The NGT had on Thursday ordered Volkswagen to pay the Rs 100 crore fine within 24 hours, failing which its directors would be arrested and its properties seized. ‘The Volkswagen Group reiterates that all cars from the Group are compliant with the emission norms in India. The order of the Honourable NGT is already under challenge before the Honourable Supreme Court. However, The Volkswagen Group India will comply with the order of Honourable National Green Tribunal (NGT) and deposit the money, as directed,” Volkswagen said in a statement on Thursday. The NGT had on Thursday slammed Volkswagen for not depositing the Rs 100 crore imposed on the German auto major for damaging the environment through the use of a "cheat device" in its diesel cars, and directed it to submit the amount within 24 hours failing which its directors would be sent to jail. The green panel had on November 16, 2018 said that the use of the "cheat device" by Volkswagen in diesel cars in India leads to inference of environmental damage and directed it to deposit an interim amount of Rs 100 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It had also stated the deposit was only an interim measure and constituted a joint team of representatives of the CPCB, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. The four-member committee has also recommended Rs 171.34-crore fine on Volkswagen as "health damages" for causing air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. On Thursday, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel took strong exception to the non-compliance of its order by the automobile giant and asked it to give an undertaking that it will submit the amount by 5PM Friday. "Why have you not complied with our order when there is no stay. We will not give you any further time. You are in default. If you do not deposit the amount, we will order arrest and detention of your directors," the bench, comprising Justice SP Wangdi, said while asking Volkswagen to submit an affidavit of compliance after depositing the amount. A "cheat" or "defeat device" is a software in diesel engines to manipulate emission tests by changing the performance of the cars globally. Volkswagen India had in December 2015 announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in India to fix the emission software after ARAI conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms. The automobile giant had admitted to the use of "cheat devices" in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe and other global markets to manipulate emission test results. After the tests by ARAI, Volkswagen India had undertaken to rejig the software by recalling around 3.23 lakh vehicles fitted with EA 189 diesel engines which were in alleged violation of emission norms. The company, however, had said that the recall in India was purely voluntary in nature as it did not face any charges regarding violating emission norms in India, unlike in the US. (With inputs from PTI)

Volkswagen India says it will pay Rs 100 crore fine it was ordered to cough up within 24 hours

India fines Volkswagen; NGT expert panel slaps Rs 171-crore fine as health cost

No more gas-powered cars after 2026, says Volkswagen

Volkswagen will on Thursday get a taste of the anger felt by duped German diesel drivers when consumer groups file the country's first class-action suit over an emissions cheating scandal.

Their legal action has been made possible by new legislation taking effect on November 1 that was hurried through to beat a year-end statute of limitations for claims against VW.

"Volkswagen will remember this day as the moment the kid gloves of the politicians were replaced by the boxing gloves of consumer advocates," Klaus Mueller of Germany's VZBV consumer federation told DPA news agency.

Justice Minister Katarina Barley said "an estimated two million" VW owners could benefit from the new law, although the suit will start on a smaller scale. 
Germans have grown increasingly irritated by "dieselgate" fallout as they face plummeting resale values of diesel cars and looming driving bans in big cities due to pollution concerns.

"They have played us for fools," said Christian Saefken, who was "shocked" to discover his Skoda Oktavia was among the rigged VW cars.

"I wish they had been more honest from the start," added the 42-year-old, who might join the lawsuit.

The German government has also come under fire for being slow to take on a car industry that employs 800,000 people, even as cheating suspicions spread to other automakers.

VZBV and Germany's largest auto club ADAC will kick off the US-style class action suit by lodging a complaint Thursday with the higher regional court in Brunswick, near VW's iconic Wolfsburg headquarters.

In line with legal guidelines, the initial complaint will represent just 10 disgruntled VW drivers.

If judges deem the case admissible, a decision expected in no more than two weeks, judicial authorities will open a register allowing others to join the collective action.

Eligible is anyone who bought a Volkswagen car or one of the group's Audi, Skoda or Seat brands with a diesel EA 189 engine from November 2008.

Lawyer Ralf Stoll, who is coordinating the suit for VZBV, expects "several tens of thousands" of people to sign up for a case he called a legal "milestone". Taking part in the suit is free of charge.

A collective suit has the benefit of letting plaintiffs bundle their complaints against a defendant, saving the time and cost of suing the accused individually -- although some 26,000 Germans have already started their own lawsuits against VW.

The German class action law has nonetheless come in for criticism because unlike in the US, judges only rule on whether or not damages should be awarded -- without determining an amount.

So even if German judges find that VW should compensate drivers, each plaintiff would still have to go back to court to enforce their individual claim -- unless VW proposes an overall settlement.

Volkswagen has been mired in legal woes since it admitted in 2015 to installing software in 11 million diesels worldwide to dupe pollution tests, allowing the cars to spew harmful gases far beyond legal limits.

The company has already shelled out more than 28 billion euros ($32 billion) in "dieselgate" costs.

A large chunk has gone to around half a million US drivers, who were offered buybacks and up to $10,000 in compensation.

VW says it has no legal obligation to repeat the deal elsewhere, and that doing so could bankrupt the 81-year-old titan.

In Germany, VW has paid 1.8 billion euros in fines to authorities but affected customers have only been offered software updates.

The group is already embroiled in consumer class-action suits in other countries, including Australia and Britain.

VW appears intent on fighting the German consumer suit as well, insisting it has "no legal basis".

"All the cars are technically sound and roadworthy," VW said in a statement, adding that it had complied with all recall requirements.

Volkswagen will on Thursday get a taste of the anger felt by duped German diesel drivers when consumer groups file the country's first class-action suit over an emissions cheating scandal.

Volkswagen will on Thursday get a taste of the anger felt by duped German diesel drivers when consumer groups file the country's first class-action suit over an emissions cheating scandal. Their legal action has been made possible by new legislation taking effect on November 1 that was hurried through to beat a year-end statute of limitations for claims against VW. "Volkswagen will remember this day as the moment the kid gloves of the politicians were replaced by the boxing gloves of consumer advocates," Klaus Mueller of Germany's VZBV consumer federation told DPA news agency. Justice Minister Katarina Barley said "an estimated two million" VW owners could benefit from the new law, although the suit will start on a smaller scale. Germans have grown increasingly irritated by "dieselgate" fallout as they face plummeting resale values of diesel cars and looming driving bans in big cities due to pollution concerns. "They have played us for fools," said Christian Saefken, who was "shocked" to discover his Skoda Oktavia was among the rigged VW cars. "I wish they had been more honest from the start," added the 42-year-old, who might join the lawsuit. The German government has also come under fire for being slow to take on a car industry that employs 800,000 people, even as cheating suspicions spread to other automakers. VZBV and Germany's largest auto club ADAC will kick off the US-style class action suit by lodging a complaint Thursday with the higher regional court in Brunswick, near VW's iconic Wolfsburg headquarters. In line with legal guidelines, the initial complaint will represent just 10 disgruntled VW drivers. If judges deem the case admissible, a decision expected in no more than two weeks, judicial authorities will open a register allowing others to join the collective action. Eligible is anyone who bought a Volkswagen car or one of the group's Audi, Skoda or Seat brands with a diesel EA 189 engine from November 2008. Lawyer Ralf Stoll, who is coordinating the suit for VZBV, expects "several tens of thousands" of people to sign up for a case he called a legal "milestone". Taking part in the suit is free of charge. A collective suit has the benefit of letting plaintiffs bundle their complaints against a defendant, saving the time and cost of suing the accused individually -- although some 26,000 Germans have already started their own lawsuits against VW. The German class action law has nonetheless come in for criticism because unlike in the US, judges only rule on whether or not damages should be awarded -- without determining an amount. So even if German judges find that VW should compensate drivers, each plaintiff would still have to go back to court to enforce their individual claim -- unless VW proposes an overall settlement. Volkswagen has been mired in legal woes since it admitted in 2015 to installing software in 11 million diesels worldwide to dupe pollution tests, allowing the cars to spew harmful gases far beyond legal limits. The company has already shelled out more than 28 billion euros ($32 billion) in "dieselgate" costs. A large chunk has gone to around half a million US drivers, who were offered buybacks and up to $10,000 in compensation. VW says it has no legal obligation to repeat the deal elsewhere, and that doing so could bankrupt the 81-year-old titan. In Germany, VW has paid 1.8 billion euros in fines to authorities but affected customers have only been offered software updates. The group is already embroiled in consumer class-action suits in other countries, including Australia and Britain. VW appears intent on fighting the German consumer suit as well, insisting it has "no legal basis". "All the cars are technically sound and roadworthy," VW said in a statement, adding that it had complied with all recall requirements.

Germans to vent Volkswagen fury in mass 'dieselgate' suit

A ban on older diesel vehicles is the only way to bring pollution down to within permitted limits, a judge in Berlin said on Tuesday, signalling he may rule in favour of a diesel driving ban in parts of the German capital.

Judge Ulrich Marticke made his comments in court ahead of a ruling expected later in the day.

While he said the level of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the air was declining, he added there was no reasonable doubt that a ban on older diesel vehicles was the only way to cut pollution to permitted limits.

The case was brought against the city-state by environmental lobby group DUH, which wants Berlin to reduce air pollution by banning diesel vehicles up to the Euro 4 standard from the end of 2018 and for Euro 5 standard cars from September 2019. The latest standard is Euro 6.

Local broadcaster rbb reported on Friday that Berlin authorities were looking at imposing driving bans on older diesel cars on 20 streets, including major routes in the city.

Volkswagen's admission in 2015 that it cheated US diesel emissions tests led to the discovery that diesel vehicles from several manufacturers routinely exceed pollution limits in normal driving conditions, prompting a regulatory crackdown.

Environmental groups have been encouraged by a federal court ruling in February that allowed cities to ban older diesel cars.

A ban is due to take effect in Frankfurt, Germany's financial capital, from February. The city of Hamburg this year voluntarily blocked diesel models that fail to meet the Euro-6 emissions standard from selected trunk roads.

A ban on older diesel vehicles is the only way to bring pollution down to within permitted limits, a judge in Berlin said on Tuesday, signalling he may rule in favour of a diesel driving ban in parts of the German capital.

A ban on older diesel vehicles is the only way to bring pollution down to within permitted limits, a judge in Berlin said on Tuesday, signalling he may rule in favour of a diesel driving ban in parts of the German capital. Judge Ulrich Marticke made his comments in court ahead of a ruling expected later in the day. While he said the level of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the air was declining, he added there was no reasonable doubt that a ban on older diesel vehicles was the only way to cut pollution to permitted limits. The case was brought against the city-state by environmental lobby group DUH, which wants Berlin to reduce air pollution by banning diesel vehicles up to the Euro 4 standard from the end of 2018 and for Euro 5 standard cars from September 2019. The latest standard is Euro 6. Local broadcaster rbb reported on Friday that Berlin authorities were looking at imposing driving bans on older diesel cars on 20 streets, including major routes in the city. Volkswagen's admission in 2015 that it cheated US diesel emissions tests led to the discovery that diesel vehicles from several manufacturers routinely exceed pollution limits in normal driving conditions, prompting a regulatory crackdown. Environmental groups have been encouraged by a federal court ruling in February that allowed cities to ban older diesel cars. A ban is due to take effect in Frankfurt, Germany's financial capital, from February. The city of Hamburg this year voluntarily blocked diesel models that fail to meet the Euro-6 emissions standard from selected trunk roads.

Diesel ban only way to cut pollution: Berlin

The German government will Tuesday present its compromise on the way forward for millions of people with older, more polluting diesel cars, with manufacturers potentially facing a steep bill for the crisis precipitated by an emissions cheating scandal.

After Chancellor Angela Merkel and key ministers deliberated late into Monday night, her conservative CDU/CSU alliance and coalition partners the Social Democrats (SPD) announced "a concept for clean air and to secure mobility in our cities". Details are to be presented Tuesday.

The diesel summit aimed to purge city air of pollutants while sparing car owners additional costs.

At stake are potentially billions of euros in trade-in bonuses for buyers of new cars and costs to refit older vehicles, as well as the future of the auto sector and its 800,000 jobs.

Major cities Hamburg and Stuttgart have closed parts of their territory to older diesels and court-ordered bans are looming elsewhere.

Above all, "we want to avoid further driving bans," Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer told news agency DPA ahead of the start of the meeting on Monday evening.

Manufacturers could, however, face a steep bill, with SPD Environment Minister Svenja Schulze stressing that it was "the car industry that got us into trouble, and it should pay for it".

Three years have passed since Volkswagen's 2015 admission to installing cheating devices in 11 million vehicles worldwide, allowing them to secretly spew far more harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) than legally permitted.

Since then, other carmakers like BMW and Daimler have been targeted in official probes and forced to recall thousands of vehicles.

Caught in a vice

Some 70 German cities recorded levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) -- which can cause respiratory illnesses and heart problems -- above EU thresholds in 2017, according to the Federal Environment Agency.

Politicians face pressure from activists to use bans and other harsh measures to prevent thousands of premature deaths the fumes are estimated to cause each year.

On the other hand, diesel drivers are anxious not to see their vehicles' value tumble.

And car industry chiefs say they need to hold onto their cash as they look to invest in staying competitive with challengers from the US and China.

Many in Merkel's conservative CDU/CSU alliance and car executives would prefer to sell millions of new cars to replace more polluting older models.

"The fastest and best way for the environment is to replace the old fleet with a new one," the chancellor said Thursday.

With tighter limits on emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) biting in the EU from 2021, manufacturers are eager to get as many of their newest, cleanest cars on the road as possible.

'Customer should not pay'

Merkel promised "possibilities for some to obtain a refit" in the final deal, adding that "in this case, we believe that the customer should not have to pay anything".

Manufacturers showed some signs of movement Monday, Scheuer said, offering between 4,000 and 8,000 euros ($4,630 to $9,260) to owners looking to trade in their vehicles for the latest models.

It was not clear whether trade-in incentives would be targeted at owners in only the most polluted cities or nationwide.

And manufacturers were less open to footing the full bill to refit older cars with more effective exhaust treatment systems.

In a further sore point, foreign carmakers have so far ruled out funding refits.

The contrast between carmakers' ability to dig in their heels in Europe, compared with Volkswagen's mammoth bill for fixes and buybacks in the United States, has riled consumer advocates.

Dieselgate has so far cost VW 27 billion euros in compensation, buybacks, fines and legal costs -- much of it in the US -- and the group remains entangled in legal woes at home and abroad.

Nevertheless, it booked 11.4 billion euros in profit for 2017.

The German government will Tuesday present its compromise on the way forward for millions of people with older, more polluting diesel cars, with manufacturers potentially facing a steep bill for the crisis precipitated by an emissions cheating scandal.

The German government will Tuesday present its compromise on the way forward for millions of people with older, more polluting diesel cars, with manufacturers potentially facing a steep bill for the crisis precipitated by an emissions cheating scandal. After Chancellor Angela Merkel and key ministers deliberated late into Monday night, her conservative CDU/CSU alliance and coalition partners the Social Democrats (SPD) announced "a concept for clean air and to secure mobility in our cities". Details are to be presented Tuesday. The diesel summit aimed to purge city air of pollutants while sparing car owners additional costs. At stake are potentially billions of euros in trade-in bonuses for buyers of new cars and costs to refit older vehicles, as well as the future of the auto sector and its 800,000 jobs. Major cities Hamburg and Stuttgart have closed parts of their territory to older diesels and court-ordered bans are looming elsewhere. Above all, "we want to avoid further driving bans," Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer told news agency DPA ahead of the start of the meeting on Monday evening. Manufacturers could, however, face a steep bill, with SPD Environment Minister Svenja Schulze stressing that it was "the car industry that got us into trouble, and it should pay for it". Three years have passed since Volkswagen's 2015 admission to installing cheating devices in 11 million vehicles worldwide, allowing them to secretly spew far more harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) than legally permitted. Since then, other carmakers like BMW and Daimler have been targeted in official probes and forced to recall thousands of vehicles. Caught in a vice Some 70 German cities recorded levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) -- which can cause respiratory illnesses and heart problems -- above EU thresholds in 2017, according to the Federal Environment Agency. Politicians face pressure from activists to use bans and other harsh measures to prevent thousands of premature deaths the fumes are estimated to cause each year. On the other hand, diesel drivers are anxious not to see their vehicles' value tumble. And car industry chiefs say they need to hold onto their cash as they look to invest in staying competitive with challengers from the US and China. Many in Merkel's conservative CDU/CSU alliance and car executives would prefer to sell millions of new cars to replace more polluting older models. "The fastest and best way for the environment is to replace the old fleet with a new one," the chancellor said Thursday. With tighter limits on emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) biting in the EU from 2021, manufacturers are eager to get as many of their newest, cleanest cars on the road as possible. 'Customer should not pay' Merkel promised "possibilities for some to obtain a refit" in the final deal, adding that "in this case, we believe that the customer should not have to pay anything". Manufacturers showed some signs of movement Monday, Scheuer said, offering between 4,000 and 8,000 euros ($4,630 to $9,260) to owners looking to trade in their vehicles for the latest models. It was not clear whether trade-in incentives would be targeted at owners in only the most polluted cities or nationwide. And manufacturers were less open to footing the full bill to refit older cars with more effective exhaust treatment systems. In a further sore point, foreign carmakers have so far ruled out funding refits. The contrast between carmakers' ability to dig in their heels in Europe, compared with Volkswagen's mammoth bill for fixes and buybacks in the United States, has riled consumer advocates. Dieselgate has so far cost VW 27 billion euros in compensation, buybacks, fines and legal costs -- much of it in the US -- and the group remains entangled in legal woes at home and abroad. Nevertheless, it booked 11.4 billion euros in profit for 2017.

Germany to present plan for polluting diesel cars

Sports car maker Porsche said Sunday it would become the first German auto giant to abandon the diesel engine, reacting to parent company Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal and resulting urban driving bans.

"There won't be any Porsche diesels in the future," CEO Oliver Blume told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

Instead, the company would concentrate on what he called its core strength, "powerful petrol, hybrid and, from 2019, purely electric vehicles".

The Porsche chief conceded the step was a result of the three-year-old "dieselgate" scandal at auto giant Volkswagen, the group to which the luxury sports car brand belongs.

VW in 2015 admitted to US regulators to having installed so-called "defeat devices" in 11 million cars worldwide to dupe emissions tests.&nbsp;

It has so far paid out more than 27 billion euros in fines, vehicle buybacks, recalls and legal costs and remains mired in legal woes at home and abroad.&nbsp;

Diesel car sales have dropped sharply as several German cities have banned them to bring down air pollution -- a trend that Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to discuss with car company chiefs in Berlin later Sunday.

Stuttgart-based Porsche in February stopped taking orders for diesel models, which it had sold for nearly a decade.

Blume said Porsche had "never developed and produced diesel engines", having used Audi motors, yet the image of the brand had suffered.&nbsp;

"The diesel crisis has caused us a lot of trouble," he said, months after Germany's Federal Transport Authority ordered the recall of nearly 60,000 Porsche SUVs in Europe.

Blume promised that the company would keep servicing diesel models on the road now.

According to the paper, Porsche also faces claims of having manipulated engines to produce a more powerful sound with a technique that was deactivated during testing.

Blume acknowledged that German regulators had found irregularities in the 8-cylinder Cayenne EU5, affecting some 13,500 units.

Merkel, Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer and heads of German auto companies were due to meet in Berlin later Sunday to discuss steps to avoid more city driving bans.

The German government hopes to see one million fully electric and hybrid vehicles on the road by 2022, up from fewer than 100,000 at the start of this year.

Sports car maker Porsche said Sunday it would become the first German auto giant to abandon the diesel engine, reacting to parent company Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal and resulting urban driving bans.

Sports car maker Porsche said Sunday it would become the first German auto giant to abandon the diesel engine, reacting to parent company Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal and resulting urban driving bans. "There won't be any Porsche diesels in the future," CEO Oliver Blume told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Instead, the company would concentrate on what he called its core strength, "powerful petrol, hybrid and, from 2019, purely electric vehicles". The Porsche chief conceded the step was a result of the three-year-old "dieselgate" scandal at auto giant Volkswagen, the group to which the luxury sports car brand belongs. VW in 2015 admitted to US regulators to having installed so-called "defeat devices" in 11 million cars worldwide to dupe emissions tests. It has so far paid out more than 27 billion euros in fines, vehicle buybacks, recalls and legal costs and remains mired in legal woes at home and abroad. Diesel car sales have dropped sharply as several German cities have banned them to bring down air pollution -- a trend that Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to discuss with car company chiefs in Berlin later Sunday. Stuttgart-based Porsche in February stopped taking orders for diesel models, which it had sold for nearly a decade. Blume said Porsche had "never developed and produced diesel engines", having used Audi motors, yet the image of the brand had suffered. "The diesel crisis has caused us a lot of trouble," he said, months after Germany's Federal Transport Authority ordered the recall of nearly 60,000 Porsche SUVs in Europe. Blume promised that the company would keep servicing diesel models on the road now. According to the paper, Porsche also faces claims of having manipulated engines to produce a more powerful sound with a technique that was deactivated during testing. Blume acknowledged that German regulators had found irregularities in the 8-cylinder Cayenne EU5, affecting some 13,500 units. Merkel, Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer and heads of German auto companies were due to meet in Berlin later Sunday to discuss steps to avoid more city driving bans. The German government hopes to see one million fully electric and hybrid vehicles on the road by 2022, up from fewer than 100,000 at the start of this year.

Porsche becomes first German carmaker to abandon diesel engines

Volkswagen was fined one billion euros ($1.18 billion) over diesel emissions cheating in what amounts to one of the highest ever fines imposed by German authorities against a company, public prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The German fine follows a US&nbsp;plea agreement from January 2017 when VW agreed to pay $4.3 billion to resolve criminal and civil penalties for installing illegal software in diesel engines to cheat strict US&nbsp;anti-pollution tests.

"Following thorough examination,&nbsp;Volkswagen&nbsp;AG accepted the fine and it will not lodge an appeal against it.&nbsp;Volkswagen&nbsp;AG, by doing so, admits its responsibility for the diesel crisis and considers this as a further major step towards the latter being overcome," it said in a statement.

The fine is the latest blow to Germany's auto industry which cannot seem to catch a break from the diesel emissions crisis. Germany's government on Monday ordered Daimler&nbsp;to recall nearly 240,000 cars fitted with illicit emissions-control devices, part of a total of 774,000 models affected in Europe as a whole.

Munich prosecutors this week widened an emissions cheating probe into VW's luxury brand Audi&nbsp;to include Chief Executive Rupert Stadler among the suspects accused of fraud and false advertising.

The prosecutor's office in Braunschweig imposed the fine against VW on Wednesday for organisational deficiencies which failed to prevent "impermissible software functions" from being installed in 10.7 million cars between 2007 and 2015.

The fine did not address any civil claims or claims by vehicle owners, the prosecutor's office said in its statement. It does, however, end regulatory offence proceedings against&nbsp;Volkswagen, which the Wolfsburg-based carmaker said would help to settle further administrative proceedings against VW in Europe.

STRONG CASH POSITION

VW shares closed 0.1 per cent higher at 159.78 euros.

VW is far from being out of the woods. The carmaker's new chief executive, Herbert Diess, and the group's chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch are still being investigated by Braunschweig prosecutors for suspected market manipulation.

Poetsch, also CEO of VW's majority stakeholder Porsche SE, is separately being investigated by prosecutors in Stuttgart over the same suspicions.

"Courts will now hardly be able to dismiss consumer complaints," said Jan-Eike Andresen of platform My Right which has mandated US&nbsp;law firm Hausfeld to pursue civil claims.

Hausfeld represents aggrieved VW owners and shareholders on both sides of the Atlantic.

Wednesday's fine was not included in the 25.8 billion euros of provisions that VW set aside for the diesel cheating scandal, and would hit earnings, analysts at Evercore ISI said.

Volkswagen&nbsp;said it held a management board meeting to discuss the latest development in its emissions crisis with members of the supervisory board also being informed.

Further steps would be taken to overcome the diesel cheating scandal and to restore trust in the company, Diess said.

Finance chief Frank Witter will update investors on Aug. 1 on the implications of the fine for the carmaker's cash position, alongside its second-quarter results, VW said.

"Paying out 1 billion euros is extremely painful but in the broader context it isn't a material number," Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst said, citing VW's 24.3 billion-euro net cash position after the first quarter.

The German fine follows a US plea agreement from January 2017 when Volkswagen agreed to pay $4.3 billion to resolve criminal and civil penalties for installing illegal software in diesel engines to cheat strict US anti-pollution tests

Volkswagen was fined one billion euros ($1.18 billion) over diesel emissions cheating in what amounts to one of the highest ever fines imposed by German authorities against a company, public prosecutors said on Wednesday. The German fine follows a US plea agreement from January 2017 when VW agreed to pay $4.3 billion to resolve criminal and civil penalties for installing illegal software in diesel engines to cheat strict US anti-pollution tests. "Following thorough examination, Volkswagen AG accepted the fine and it will not lodge an appeal against it. Volkswagen AG, by doing so, admits its responsibility for the diesel crisis and considers this as a further major step towards the latter being overcome," it said in a statement. The fine is the latest blow to Germany's auto industry which cannot seem to catch a break from the diesel emissions crisis. Germany's government on Monday ordered Daimler to recall nearly 240,000 cars fitted with illicit emissions-control devices, part of a total of 774,000 models affected in Europe as a whole. Munich prosecutors this week widened an emissions cheating probe into VW's luxury brand Audi to include Chief Executive Rupert Stadler among the suspects accused of fraud and false advertising. The prosecutor's office in Braunschweig imposed the fine against VW on Wednesday for organisational deficiencies which failed to prevent "impermissible software functions" from being installed in 10.7 million cars between 2007 and 2015. The fine did not address any civil claims or claims by vehicle owners, the prosecutor's office said in its statement. It does, however, end regulatory offence proceedings against Volkswagen, which the Wolfsburg-based carmaker said would help to settle further administrative proceedings against VW in Europe. STRONG CASH POSITION VW shares closed 0.1 per cent higher at 159.78 euros. VW is far from being out of the woods. The carmaker's new chief executive, Herbert Diess, and the group's chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch are still being investigated by Braunschweig prosecutors for suspected market manipulation. Poetsch, also CEO of VW's majority stakeholder Porsche SE, is separately being investigated by prosecutors in Stuttgart over the same suspicions. "Courts will now hardly be able to dismiss consumer complaints," said Jan-Eike Andresen of platform My Right which has mandated US law firm Hausfeld to pursue civil claims. Hausfeld represents aggrieved VW owners and shareholders on both sides of the Atlantic. Wednesday's fine was not included in the 25.8 billion euros of provisions that VW set aside for the diesel cheating scandal, and would hit earnings, analysts at Evercore ISI said. Volkswagen said it held a management board meeting to discuss the latest development in its emissions crisis with members of the supervisory board also being informed. Further steps would be taken to overcome the diesel cheating scandal and to restore trust in the company, Diess said. Finance chief Frank Witter will update investors on Aug. 1 on the implications of the fine for the carmaker's cash position, alongside its second-quarter results, VW said. "Paying out 1 billion euros is extremely painful but in the broader context it isn't a material number," Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst said, citing VW's 24.3 billion-euro net cash position after the first quarter.

Volkswagen fined 1 billion euros by German prosecutors over emissions cheating

The United States has filed criminal charges against former Volkswagen AG boss Martin Winterkorn, accusing him of conspiring to cover up the German automaker`s diesel emissions cheating, in a rare attempt to prosecute a CEO for company actions.

The indictment reopens the question of whether other senior Volkswagen (VW) executives knew about the scandal, which has dogged Europe's biggest automaker for more than 2-1/2 years and led to a regulatory crackdown that is threatening thousands of jobs as customers increasingly shun diesel-powered cars.

The indictment, filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in secret in March, was unsealed in a US&nbspdistrict court on Thursday as VW held its annual meeting in Berlin.

Winterkorn, 70, is charged with four felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud and violating the Clean Air Act from at least May 2006 through November 2015, after VW admitted using illicit software that allowed diesel cars to emit excess pollution without detection.

Winterkorn resigned within days of the scandal becoming public in September 2015, but other senior executives who were on the company`s management board at the time continue to hold senior positions within the group.&nbsp

Hans-Dieter Poetsch, who was finance chief, is now chairman of the supervisory board. Herbert Diess, now group CEO, joined the company on July 1 2015 as head of the VW brand, only weeks before authorities divulged its cheating on Sept. 18, 2015.

Rupert Stadler, who was head of the Audi brand in 2015, has been given additional responsibilities for group sales in a revamp announced by Diess last month. Bernd Osterloh, the company`s powerful labour chief who also sits on the VW supervisory board, is still in place.&nbsp

VW has said the decision to install illegal "defeat device" software was taken in 2006 below the management board level.

"None of the members of the board of management had, at that time and for many years to follow, knowledge of the development and implementation of this software function," VW said in its 2017 annual report.

A lawyer for Winterkorn in Germany did not immediately comment. Winterkorn in January 2017 told German lawmakers he had not been informed of the cheating early, and would have halted it had he been aware.

A VW spokesman in Germany said the company "continues to cooperate with investigations" but does not comment about probes of individuals."

Winterkorn is unlikely to face US&nbspauthorities. Germany`s Federal Justice Ministry said on Friday it does not extradite German nationals to countries outside the European Union.

Winterkorn is currently in Germany is unlikely to travel to a jurisdiction that might extradite him to the United States, a source familiar with his thinking said.

VW shares, which were trading ex-dividend on Friday, were 0.3 percent higher at 172.62 euros at 1204 GMT.

A heavy price

US&nbspAttorney General Jeff Sessions, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) chief Scott Pruitt and other senior Trump administration official issued statements criticizing VW with the indictment.

"If you try to deceive the United States, then you will pay a heavy price," Sessions said.

In contrast with VW, no individuals were charged at Toyota Motor Corp in connection with its sudden unintended acceleration scandal or at General Motors Co for the cover-up of a deadly ignition switch defect.

The federal government`s decisions not to prosecute senior banking industry executives over the 2007-2009 financial crisis has also drawn fire from advocates of tougher measures to deter corporate wrongdoing.

VW has been fighting to move on from the scandal. It settled criminal charges with the US&nbspDoJ in 2017 by agreeing to a $4.3 billion payment, and has pledged to spend billions on new electric vehicles.

In total, it has agreed to spend more than $25 billion in the United States to address claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers.

But prosecutors in Germany and the United States are continuing investigations into what senior executives at VW and its Porsche and Audi brands knew. They have also opened investigations into BMW, Mercedes-Benz and FiatChrysler related to their diesel emissions.

VW has also offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting US&nbspvehicles. Many are now stored in parking lots around the United States.&nbsp

All the way to the top

VW has never commented on when individual management board members learned about the defeat devices.&nbsp

The filing with the US&nbspdistrict court said Winterkorn was briefed about the consequences of being caught using an illegal emissions device on July 27, 2015.&nbsp

VW disclosed to US&nbspauthorities that it had used illegal software in its cars on Sept. 3, 2015, and did not inform investors until the US&nbspEPA alerted the public on Sept. 18.&nbsp

VW chose not to disclose the issue earlier because it felt the matter could be resolved amicably with US&nbspauthorities, its annual report said.&nbsp

Sessions said in a statement that the charges against Winterkorn showed "Volkswagen`s scheme to cheat its legal requirements went all the way to the top of the company."

The indictment describes how VW employees presented PowerPoint slides to Winterkorn and "other senior VW AG management at an in-person meeting at VW`s headquarters in Wolfsburg." The meeting provided a "clear picture" of how the company was deceiving US&nbspregulators about software used to rig emissions tests of VW diesel vehicles, it said.

The indictment also alleges that VW employees recommended the company seek to get approval for 2016 diesel models from US&nbspregulators without revealing the existence of the cheating software. Winterkorn agreed to the plan, the indictment said.

The indictment also states Winterkorn was informed of the emissions cheating by a memo sent in May 2014. Winterkorn has said he did not learn of the cheating until late August 2015.

At its annual meeting, VW`s new CEO Herbert Diess vowed to make the carmaker "more honest", but investors called for outside vetting of steps to restore its reputation.

VW had initially suggested only lower-level executives knew of the cheating. But the indictment alleges Winterkorn agreed with other senior VW executives "to continue to perpetrate the fraud and deceive US&nbspregulators."&nbsp

In total, nine people have been charged and two former VW executives have pleaded guilty in the case and been sentenced to prison terms. One Italian citizen, former Audi manager Giovanni Pamio, is in Germany awaiting extradition.

Six former VW executives charged, including Winterkorn, are believed to be in Germany and have avoided facing US&nbspprosecutors.

The United States has filed criminal charges against former Volkswagen AG boss Martin Winterkorn, accusing him of conspiring to cover up the German automaker`s diesel emissions cheating

The United States has filed criminal charges against former Volkswagen AG boss Martin Winterkorn, accusing him of conspiring to cover up the German automaker`s diesel emissions cheating, in a rare attempt to prosecute a CEO for company actions. The indictment reopens the question of whether other senior Volkswagen (VW) executives knew about the scandal, which has dogged Europe's biggest automaker for more than 2-1/2 years and led to a regulatory crackdown that is threatening thousands of jobs as customers increasingly shun diesel-powered cars. The indictment, filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in secret in March, was unsealed in a US&nbspdistrict court on Thursday as VW held its annual meeting in Berlin. Winterkorn, 70, is charged with four felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud and violating the Clean Air Act from at least May 2006 through November 2015, after VW admitted using illicit software that allowed diesel cars to emit excess pollution without detection. Winterkorn resigned within days of the scandal becoming public in September 2015, but other senior executives who were on the company`s management board at the time continue to hold senior positions within the group. Hans-Dieter Poetsch, who was finance chief, is now chairman of the supervisory board. Herbert Diess, now group CEO, joined the company on July 1 2015 as head of the VW brand, only weeks before authorities divulged its cheating on Sept. 18, 2015. Rupert Stadler, who was head of the Audi brand in 2015, has been given additional responsibilities for group sales in a revamp announced by Diess last month. Bernd Osterloh, the company`s powerful labour chief who also sits on the VW supervisory board, is still in place. VW has said the decision to install illegal "defeat device" software was taken in 2006 below the management board level. "None of the members of the board of management had, at that time and for many years to follow, knowledge of the development and implementation of this software function," VW said in its 2017 annual report. A lawyer for Winterkorn in Germany did not immediately comment. Winterkorn in January 2017 told German lawmakers he had not been informed of the cheating early, and would have halted it had he been aware. A VW spokesman in Germany said the company "continues to cooperate with investigations" but does not comment about probes of individuals." Winterkorn is unlikely to face US&nbspauthorities. Germany`s Federal Justice Ministry said on Friday it does not extradite German nationals to countries outside the European Union. Winterkorn is currently in Germany is unlikely to travel to a jurisdiction that might extradite him to the United States, a source familiar with his thinking said. VW shares, which were trading ex-dividend on Friday, were 0.3 percent higher at 172.62 euros at 1204 GMT. A heavy price US&nbspAttorney General Jeff Sessions, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) chief Scott Pruitt and other senior Trump administration official issued statements criticizing VW with the indictment. "If you try to deceive the United States, then you will pay a heavy price," Sessions said. In contrast with VW, no individuals were charged at Toyota Motor Corp in connection with its sudden unintended acceleration scandal or at General Motors Co for the cover-up of a deadly ignition switch defect. The federal government`s decisions not to prosecute senior banking industry executives over the 2007-2009 financial crisis has also drawn fire from advocates of tougher measures to deter corporate wrongdoing. VW has been fighting to move on from the scandal. It settled criminal charges with the US&nbspDoJ in 2017 by agreeing to a $4.3 billion payment, and has pledged to spend billions on new electric vehicles. In total, it has agreed to spend more than $25 billion in the United States to address claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers. But prosecutors in Germany and the United States are continuing investigations into what senior executives at VW and its Porsche and Audi brands knew. They have also opened investigations into BMW, Mercedes-Benz and FiatChrysler related to their diesel emissions. VW has also offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting US&nbspvehicles. Many are now stored in parking lots around the United States. All the way to the top VW has never commented on when individual management board members learned about the defeat devices. The filing with the US&nbspdistrict court said Winterkorn was briefed about the consequences of being caught using an illegal emissions device on July 27, 2015. VW disclosed to US&nbspauthorities that it had used illegal software in its cars on Sept. 3, 2015, and did not inform investors until the US&nbspEPA alerted the public on Sept. 18. VW chose not to disclose the issue earlier because it felt the matter could be resolved amicably with US&nbspauthorities, its annual report said. Sessions said in a statement that the charges against Winterkorn showed "Volkswagen`s scheme to cheat its legal requirements went all the way to the top of the company." The indictment describes how VW employees presented PowerPoint slides to Winterkorn and "other senior VW AG management at an in-person meeting at VW`s headquarters in Wolfsburg." The meeting provided a "clear picture" of how the company was deceiving US&nbspregulators about software used to rig emissions tests of VW diesel vehicles, it said. The indictment also alleges that VW employees recommended the company seek to get approval for 2016 diesel models from US&nbspregulators without revealing the existence of the cheating software. Winterkorn agreed to the plan, the indictment said. The indictment also states Winterkorn was informed of the emissions cheating by a memo sent in May 2014. Winterkorn has said he did not learn of the cheating until late August 2015. At its annual meeting, VW`s new CEO Herbert Diess vowed to make the carmaker "more honest", but investors called for outside vetting of steps to restore its reputation. VW had initially suggested only lower-level executives knew of the cheating. But the indictment alleges Winterkorn agreed with other senior VW executives "to continue to perpetrate the fraud and deceive US&nbspregulators." In total, nine people have been charged and two former VW executives have pleaded guilty in the case and been sentenced to prison terms. One Italian citizen, former Audi manager Giovanni Pamio, is in Germany awaiting extradition. Six former VW executives charged, including Winterkorn, are believed to be in Germany and have avoided facing US&nbspprosecutors.

Ex-Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn charged in US over diesel scandal

Volkswagen AG, the world's biggest automaker, is in talks to form a joint venture with China's Didi Chuxing to manage part of the ride-hailing company's fleet of cars and help develop "purpose-built" vehicles for Didi's services.

As part of the deal between Volkswagen and China's biggest ride-hailing service, expected to be signed early next month, the German automaker will initially manage a fleet of about 100,000 new vehicles for Didi, of which two-thirds will be Volkswagen Group cars, said a senior executive at the carmaker.

Volkswagen will also jointly buy some new cars with Didi to allow the Chinese company to expand its fleet. The two eventually plan to collaborate to design and develop dedicated vehicles, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the details are still private.

The executive did not give financial details of the deal but said that Volkswagen will get a slice of the revenue once the venture develops.

The growing popularity of ride-hailing services for commuting and running errands in congested cities such as Beijing and Shanghai is showing early signs of reducing private car ownership. This could have serious consequences for existing carmakers and is forcing companies like Volkswagen to reinvent their businesses and seek out future revenue streams.

"To succeed as a car company in this new ecosystem, we need to know who our customer is, what their journey is and what our strategy should be," the executive said.

He added that this deal will eventually give Volkswagen access to some of Didi's massive trove of data on customer behaviour collected through the 3 million rides Didi provides in China each day.

The ultimate goal is the production and use of autonomous cars, the Volkswagen executive said.

Volkswagen's partnership with Didi is the first known project Didi has begun pursuing as part of a broad alliance the Chinese company recently formed with 31 automakers and parts suppliers.

Didi has said it formed the alliance to collaborate on, among other things, eventually developing cars purpose-built for its services.

For instance, as many as 80 percent of Didi customers ride alone and don't need a big four-seater car, the Volkswagen executive said.

And current vehicles have engines and other technology that allow them to go as fast as 150 mph (250 kmph). Dedicated ride-sharing vehicles would always travel much slower, so they would not need to be aerodynamic or have a powerful engine. That could allow for fewer seats and more room for luggage.

Didi has also predicted much of its future fleet would be electric. The company has begun working with Chinese carmakers GAC Motor and CHJ Automotive to design electric vehicles, sources have told Reuters.

Three Didi officials said the ultimate shape of a new ride-sharing market is still unclear and no one knows what role car manufacturers and Didi itself will play in it.

Open questions for Didi are how to repair, maintain and direct a fleet of autonomous vehicles, one of the officials said.

"Our understanding right now is that probably automakers don't know 100 percent how to do all that. Didi also doesn't know either," the official said.

A spokesperson for Didi said both sides were still working out the details of how the partnership would look.

"Potentially, both parties will focus on building together a fleet operation business, and look into other potential areas such as designing new car models for ride-hailing," the spokesperson said.

The Didi officials did not want to be named because they are not authorised to talk to reporters.

After years of resistance and efforts to keep technology-based ride companies at arm's length and vowing never to be like contract manufacturers are to the mobile phone sellers, carmakers are becoming more flexible.

The car industry fears becoming like Taipei-headquartered electronics company Foxconn, which manufactures millions of phones for the likes of Apple Inc but only gets a slim share of the profits in return.

This year, automakers like Fiat, Jaguar Land Rover and Honda Motor entered into an agreement to provide thousands of cars to Alphabet Inc's self-driving unit, Waymo. Last year Volvo and Daimler AG said they would supply cars to Uber.

Volkswagen lags its rivals Daimler and BMW in embracing the transformation but has recently stepped up its efforts.

It has created a war chest of 15 billion euros ($18.2 billion), which it plans to use for investments in ride-hailing, autonomous driving, digitalisation, electric mobility and other services in China by 2022.

It has already invested in an artificial intelligence firm called Mobvoi, a car-sharing company Shouqi and a second-hand car buying company. Volkswagen is also in talks to invest in a luxury ride-hailing company and an electric car charging business, the executive said.

Once Volkswagen has access to customer data, it will be able to make better-informed decisions on future businesses and products.

"We will explore additional business models with Didi," the executive said, adding that these may not necessarily be focused only on China. Volkswagen is internally discussing bus and truck sharing.

"We don't need to have all the answers. The money we plan to put into the first phase should help us find some," he said.

The executive did not say whether the new cars provided by Volkswagen would be electric, hybrid or gasoline.

The executive did not give financial details of the deal but said that Volkswagen will get a slice of the revenue once the venture develops

Volkswagen AG, the world's biggest automaker, is in talks to form a joint venture with China's Didi Chuxing to manage part of the ride-hailing company's fleet of cars and help develop "purpose-built" vehicles for Didi's services. As part of the deal between Volkswagen and China's biggest ride-hailing service, expected to be signed early next month, the German automaker will initially manage a fleet of about 100,000 new vehicles for Didi, of which two-thirds will be Volkswagen Group cars, said a senior executive at the carmaker. Volkswagen will also jointly buy some new cars with Didi to allow the Chinese company to expand its fleet. The two eventually plan to collaborate to design and develop dedicated vehicles, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the details are still private. The executive did not give financial details of the deal but said that Volkswagen will get a slice of the revenue once the venture develops. The growing popularity of ride-hailing services for commuting and running errands in congested cities such as Beijing and Shanghai is showing early signs of reducing private car ownership. This could have serious consequences for existing carmakers and is forcing companies like Volkswagen to reinvent their businesses and seek out future revenue streams. "To succeed as a car company in this new ecosystem, we need to know who our customer is, what their journey is and what our strategy should be," the executive said. He added that this deal will eventually give Volkswagen access to some of Didi's massive trove of data on customer behaviour collected through the 3 million rides Didi provides in China each day. The ultimate goal is the production and use of autonomous cars, the Volkswagen executive said. Volkswagen's partnership with Didi is the first known project Didi has begun pursuing as part of a broad alliance the Chinese company recently formed with 31 automakers and parts suppliers. Didi has said it formed the alliance to collaborate on, among other things, eventually developing cars purpose-built for its services. For instance, as many as 80 percent of Didi customers ride alone and don't need a big four-seater car, the Volkswagen executive said. And current vehicles have engines and other technology that allow them to go as fast as 150 mph (250 kmph). Dedicated ride-sharing vehicles would always travel much slower, so they would not need to be aerodynamic or have a powerful engine. That could allow for fewer seats and more room for luggage. Didi has also predicted much of its future fleet would be electric. The company has begun working with Chinese carmakers GAC Motor and CHJ Automotive to design electric vehicles, sources have told Reuters. Three Didi officials said the ultimate shape of a new ride-sharing market is still unclear and no one knows what role car manufacturers and Didi itself will play in it. Open questions for Didi are how to repair, maintain and direct a fleet of autonomous vehicles, one of the officials said. "Our understanding right now is that probably automakers don't know 100 percent how to do all that. Didi also doesn't know either," the official said. A spokesperson for Didi said both sides were still working out the details of how the partnership would look. "Potentially, both parties will focus on building together a fleet operation business, and look into other potential areas such as designing new car models for ride-hailing," the spokesperson said. The Didi officials did not want to be named because they are not authorised to talk to reporters. After years of resistance and efforts to keep technology-based ride companies at arm's length and vowing never to be like contract manufacturers are to the mobile phone sellers, carmakers are becoming more flexible. The car industry fears becoming like Taipei-headquartered electronics company Foxconn, which manufactures millions of phones for the likes of Apple Inc but only gets a slim share of the profits in return. This year, automakers like Fiat, Jaguar Land Rover and Honda Motor entered into an agreement to provide thousands of cars to Alphabet Inc's self-driving unit, Waymo. Last year Volvo and Daimler AG said they would supply cars to Uber. Volkswagen lags its rivals Daimler and BMW in embracing the transformation but has recently stepped up its efforts. It has created a war chest of 15 billion euros ($18.2 billion), which it plans to use for investments in ride-hailing, autonomous driving, digitalisation, electric mobility and other services in China by 2022. It has already invested in an artificial intelligence firm called Mobvoi, a car-sharing company Shouqi and a second-hand car buying company. Volkswagen is also in talks to invest in a luxury ride-hailing company and an electric car charging business, the executive said. Once Volkswagen has access to customer data, it will be able to make better-informed decisions on future businesses and products. "We will explore additional business models with Didi," the executive said, adding that these may not necessarily be focused only on China. Volkswagen is internally discussing bus and truck sharing. "We don't need to have all the answers. The money we plan to put into the first phase should help us find some," he said. The executive did not say whether the new cars provided by Volkswagen would be electric, hybrid or gasoline.

Volkswagen in talks to manage Didi fleet, co-develop self-driving cars

German auto maker Volkswagen (VW) today said it has initiated a programme in India under which it plans to target professionals from IT, banking and other industries, to push sales in the country.

Under the Volkswagen corporate sales program, the company plans to target individuals from across sectors like information technology (IT), consultancy and banking, Volkswagen India said in a statement.

The automaker is also eyeing doctors, lawyers, architects, chartered accountants, teachers and government employees, with benefits that will extend to immediate family members as well, it added.

The program offers benefits on purchase, servicing of the vehicle, accessories as well as loyalty benefits, the company said.

The initiative covers the entire model range from Volkswagen India, including premium products like ? Tiguan and Passat.

"Through such initiatives, we continue to heighten the accessibility of our globally-acclaimed products, while extending the reach of our comprehensive suite of sales and after sales services to the country's distinctive car buyer," Volkswagen

Passenger Cars Director Steffen Knapp said.

The German automaker, which has been struggling to make its presence felt in India, has now set an aim to almost double its market share in the country to 3 per cent over the next five years.

As part of this ambition, the company has introduced various initiatives, with the Volkswagen Corporate Sales Program being the first step in that direction.

During the last fiscal, the company sold 45,329 units, down 9.41 per cent from 2016-17 where it sold 50,042 units.

Under the Volkswagen corporate sales program, the company plans to target individuals from across sectors like information technology (IT), consultancy and banking

German auto maker Volkswagen (VW) today said it has initiated a programme in India under which it plans to target professionals from IT, banking and other industries, to push sales in the country. Under the Volkswagen corporate sales program, the company plans to target individuals from across sectors like information technology (IT), consultancy and banking, Volkswagen India said in a statement. The automaker is also eyeing doctors, lawyers, architects, chartered accountants, teachers and government employees, with benefits that will extend to immediate family members as well, it added. The program offers benefits on purchase, servicing of the vehicle, accessories as well as loyalty benefits, the company said. The initiative covers the entire model range from Volkswagen India, including premium products like ? Tiguan and Passat. "Through such initiatives, we continue to heighten the accessibility of our globally-acclaimed products, while extending the reach of our comprehensive suite of sales and after sales services to the country's distinctive car buyer," Volkswagen Passenger Cars Director Steffen Knapp said. The German automaker, which has been struggling to make its presence felt in India, has now set an aim to almost double its market share in the country to 3 per cent over the next five years. As part of this ambition, the company has introduced various initiatives, with the Volkswagen Corporate Sales Program being the first step in that direction. During the last fiscal, the company sold 45,329 units, down 9.41 per cent from 2016-17 where it sold 50,042 units.

Volkswagen eyes IT, banking professionals in India to drive sales

Volkswagen India, the Indian subsidiary of the popular German car manufacturer, has launched limited editions of the Vento and the Polo. Dubbed as the Volkswagen Vento Sport and the Polo Pace, the latest special variants come equipped with visual updates that inject some freshness into the design.

The two new models are all about aesthetic changes and remain untouched mechanically.&nbsp;

The new Volkswagen Polo Pace and Vento Sport are now available for sale at the company&#39;s dealerships across India without any change in pricing.&nbsp;

While the new Volkswagen Polo Pace limited edition comes in 1.0L MPI CL variant, the Vento Sport is being offered with five trims that go by the names 1.2 L TSI HL, 1.2 L TSI HL +, 1.5 L TDI HL MT, 1.5 L TDI HL DSG and 1.5 TDL HL + DSG.&nbsp;

Starting with the new Volkswagen Polo Pace limited edition, the car comes with new 15-inch Razor Diamond cut alloy wheels. On the other hand, the new Volkswagen Vento Sport limited edition now gets glossy black spoilers along with gloss roof foil.&nbsp;

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Volkswagen Polo Pace. (Others)
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Besides, the new Vento Sport now runs on 16-inch Portago alloy wheels. The car now receives side foils and in order to distinguish itself from the regular model, it gets a &#39;Sport&#39; chrome badging on the rear fender. Besides this, the new Volkswagen Vento Sports Limited Edition now gets a new Flash Red colour.

The new Polo Pace and Vento Sport will be equipped with the following features:&nbsp;

Vento Sport 
Glossy black spoilers 
Glossy roof foil 
Black carbon finish ORVM 
16&rdquo; Portago Alloy wheels 
Stylish side foils 
Chrome Badge &ldquo;Sport&rdquo; on Fender

Polo Pace 
15&rdquo; Diamond Cut Alloy wheels &ndash; &ldquo;RAZO

The two new models are all about aesthetic changes and remain untouched mechanically

Volkswagen India, the Indian subsidiary of the popular German car manufacturer, has launched limited editions of the Vento and the Polo. Dubbed as the Volkswagen Vento Sport and the Polo Pace, the latest special variants come equipped with visual updates that inject some freshness into the design. The two new models are all about aesthetic changes and remain untouched mechanically. The new Volkswagen Polo Pace and Vento Sport are now available for sale at the company's dealerships across India without any change in pricing. While the new Volkswagen Polo Pace limited edition comes in 1.0L MPI CL variant, the Vento Sport is being offered with five trims that go by the names 1.2 L TSI HL, 1.2 L TSI HL +, 1.5 L TDI HL MT, 1.5 L TDI HL DSG and 1.5 TDL HL + DSG. Starting with the new Volkswagen Polo Pace limited edition, the car comes with new 15-inch Razor Diamond cut alloy wheels. On the other hand, the new Volkswagen Vento Sport limited edition now gets glossy black spoilers along with gloss roof foil. Volkswagen Polo Pace. (Others) × Besides, the new Vento Sport now runs on 16-inch Portago alloy wheels. The car now receives side foils and in order to distinguish itself from the regular model, it gets a 'Sport' chrome badging on the rear fender. Besides this, the new Volkswagen Vento Sports Limited Edition now gets a new Flash Red colour. The new Polo Pace and Vento Sport will be equipped with the following features: Vento Sport Glossy black spoilers Glossy roof foil Black carbon finish ORVM 16” Portago Alloy wheels Stylish side foils Chrome Badge “Sport” on Fender Polo Pace 15” Diamond Cut Alloy wheels – “RAZO

Volkswagen Polo Pace and Vento Sport limited edition launched in India

US&nbsp;investigators probing Mercedes maker Daimler have found that its cars were equipped with software which may have helped them to pass diesel emissions tests, a German newspaper reported on Sunday, citing confidential documents.

There has been growing scrutiny of diesel vehicles since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing secret software on 580,000 US&nbsp;vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable emissions while meeting standards when tested by regulators.

Daimler, which faces ongoing investigations by US&nbsp;and German authorities into excess diesel emissions, has said investigations could lead to significant penalties and recalls.

The Bild am Sonntag newspaper said that the documents showed that US&nbsp;investigators had found several software functions that helped Daimler cars pass emissions tests, including one which switched off emissions cleaning after 26 km of driving.

Another function under scrutiny allowed the emissions cleaning system to recognise whether the car was being tested based on speed or acceleration patterns.

Bild am Sonntag also cited emails from Daimler engineers questioning whether these software functions were legal.

A Daimler spokesman declined to comment on the content of the documents, saying the German company was fully cooperating with the US&nbsp;authorities and had agreed upon strict confidentiality with the Department of Justice.

&quot;The authorities know the documents and no complaint has been filed,&quot; the spokesman said. &quot;The documents available to Bild have obviously selectively been released in order to harm Daimler and its 290,000 employees.&quot;&nbsp;

There has been growing scrutiny of diesel vehicles since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing such software in 580,000 US vehicles

US investigators probing Mercedes maker Daimler have found that its cars were equipped with software which may have helped them to pass diesel emissions tests, a German newspaper reported on Sunday, citing confidential documents. There has been growing scrutiny of diesel vehicles since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing secret software on 580,000 US vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable emissions while meeting standards when tested by regulators. Daimler, which faces ongoing investigations by US and German authorities into excess diesel emissions, has said investigations could lead to significant penalties and recalls. The Bild am Sonntag newspaper said that the documents showed that US investigators had found several software functions that helped Daimler cars pass emissions tests, including one which switched off emissions cleaning after 26 km of driving. Another function under scrutiny allowed the emissions cleaning system to recognise whether the car was being tested based on speed or acceleration patterns. Bild am Sonntag also cited emails from Daimler engineers questioning whether these software functions were legal. A Daimler spokesman declined to comment on the content of the documents, saying the German company was fully cooperating with the US authorities and had agreed upon strict confidentiality with the Department of Justice. "The authorities know the documents and no complaint has been filed," the spokesman said. "The documents available to Bild have obviously selectively been released in order to harm Daimler and its 290,000 employees."

Daimler may also have used secret software to pass US emissions tests: Report

Germany&#39;s KBA automotive watchdog has detected illicit emission-control software in Audi&#39;s latest Euro-6 diesel models and has ordered a recall of 127,000 vehicles, Bild am Sonntag reported.

Audi, a unit of Volkswagen, said in a statement that the models had been included in a voluntary recall of 850,000 diesel vehicles with V6 and V8 TDI engines announced in July.

&quot;The engine control software for the vehicles in question will be completely revised, tested and submitted to the KBA for approval&quot;, Audi said in its statement.

It did not confirm more details of KBA&#39;s request.

Bild am Sonntag said road transport authority KBA had told Audi to respond by Feb. 2 on how it plans to update vehicle software controlling emissions, making sure the cars are unable to illegally manipulate emission controls.

Audi said it has been examining its diesel-fuelled cars for potential irregularities for months in close cooperation with the KBA.

&quot;As part of this systematic and detailed assessment, the KBA has now also issued a notice regarding Audi models with V6 TDI engines,&quot; the carmaker added.

In November, Audi announced a recall of 5,000 cars in Europe for a software fix after discovering they emitted too much nitrogen oxide, the polluting gas that parent Volkswagen concealed from US regulators in its devastating 2015 &quot;dieselgate&quot; scandal.

Volkswagen was found in 2015 to have illegally manipulated engine software so that vehicles would meet nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions standards in laboratory testing but not in real-world conditions, where they could emit up to 40 times the permitted levels.

Several Audi models were affected and Audi has been accused in media reports of having devised the so-called defeat devices years earlier but not to have installed them in its vehicles at that time. Audi and Volkswagen have never commented on the matter.

Germany's KBA automotive watchdog has detected illicit emission-control software in Audi's latest Euro-6 diesel models and has ordered a recall of 127,000 vehicles

Germany's KBA automotive watchdog has detected illicit emission-control software in Audi's latest Euro-6 diesel models and has ordered a recall of 127,000 vehicles, Bild am Sonntag reported. Audi, a unit of Volkswagen, said in a statement that the models had been included in a voluntary recall of 850,000 diesel vehicles with V6 and V8 TDI engines announced in July. "The engine control software for the vehicles in question will be completely revised, tested and submitted to the KBA for approval", Audi said in its statement. It did not confirm more details of KBA's request. Bild am Sonntag said road transport authority KBA had told Audi to respond by Feb. 2 on how it plans to update vehicle software controlling emissions, making sure the cars are unable to illegally manipulate emission controls. Audi said it has been examining its diesel-fuelled cars for potential irregularities for months in close cooperation with the KBA. "As part of this systematic and detailed assessment, the KBA has now also issued a notice regarding Audi models with V6 TDI engines," the carmaker added. In November, Audi announced a recall of 5,000 cars in Europe for a software fix after discovering they emitted too much nitrogen oxide, the polluting gas that parent Volkswagen concealed from US regulators in its devastating 2015 "dieselgate" scandal. Volkswagen was found in 2015 to have illegally manipulated engine software so that vehicles would meet nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions standards in laboratory testing but not in real-world conditions, where they could emit up to 40 times the permitted levels. Several Audi models were affected and Audi has been accused in media reports of having devised the so-called defeat devices years earlier but not to have installed them in its vehicles at that time. Audi and Volkswagen have never commented on the matter.

Audi ordered to recall 127,000 vehicles over emissions - Paper

Porsche and Audi, Volkswagen&#39;s main luxury car divisions, plan to develop a joint platform for electric vehicles that will enable them significantly cut down on costs, German newspapers quoted their chief executives as saying.

&quot;By 2025, we&#39;re facing a low single-digit billion euro sum to develop the architecture,&quot; Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told both the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

&quot;If both would act on their own, costs would be 30 percent higher,&quot; Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said, adding Audi was hiring 550 developers for the project and Porsche 300.

From 2021 onwards, both businesses want to bring several models to the streets based on the joint platform, with Stadler saying that would build two sedan cars in Neckarsulm and two sports utility models at its Ingolstadt base.

Porsche&#39;s Blume said the sportscar maker could build its first model based on the joint architecture in Leipzig, where it is already assembling its Macan sport-utility model. &quot;I currently see good chances for Leipzig,&quot; Blume said.

'By 2025, we're facing a low single-digit billion euro sum to develop the architecture,' Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told both the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten

Porsche and Audi, Volkswagen's main luxury car divisions, plan to develop a joint platform for electric vehicles that will enable them significantly cut down on costs, German newspapers quoted their chief executives as saying. "By 2025, we're facing a low single-digit billion euro sum to develop the architecture," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told both the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten. "If both would act on their own, costs would be 30 percent higher," Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said, adding Audi was hiring 550 developers for the project and Porsche 300. From 2021 onwards, both businesses want to bring several models to the streets based on the joint platform, with Stadler saying that would build two sedan cars in Neckarsulm and two sports utility models at its Ingolstadt base. Porsche's Blume said the sportscar maker could build its first model based on the joint architecture in Leipzig, where it is already assembling its Macan sport-utility model. "I currently see good chances for Leipzig," Blume said.

Porsche, Audi to develop joint electric car platform to save costs

Dutch researchers have been performing tests &quot;for years&quot; on humans and animals to study the effects of diesel fumes, scientists said Tuesday, amid an outcry in Germany over similar experiments.

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) &quot;is involved in research in which volunteers ... are exposed to diluted emissions from a diesel engine&quot; for a maximum of two hours, Flemming Cassee, a toxicologist at the organisation told AFP.

The volunteers were made up of people &quot;in good health, as well as those who are sick, such as those who are been treated by cardiologists&quot;.&nbsp;

The emissions are similar to those breathed in every day in a busy town or close to motorways, added Cassee, a researcher at the institute which often carries out assignments for the Dutch government as well as other public bodies.

&quot;We`ve been doing it for years, and there is nothing extraordinary about it,&quot; he stressed, adding the situation was the same in &quot;many countries&quot;.

According to the New York Times, US researchers in 2014 locked 10 monkeys into airtight chambers and made them breathe in diesel exhaust from a Volkswage Beetle while the animals were watching TV cartoons.

Separately, it emerged that a research group funded by Volkswage, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and BMW had ordered a study in Germany measuring the effects of inhaling nitrogen dioxide on 25 human volunteers.

Casse said the controversial German experiments had been &quot;ordered by industry and private research organisations,&quot; whereas everything done by the RIVM &quot;is public&quot; with a focus on &quot;what we are doing, how we do it and what will come out of it.&quot;

Volkswagen on Tuesday suspended its chief lobbyist Thomas Steg as outrage mounted over monkey and human experiments.

Dutch researcher Nicole Janssen told the Dutch daily NRC that between 2010 and 2015 a large research project into air pollution was carried out in which a group of volunteers was exposed to the fumes on two busy highways, one in central Rotterdam.

&quot;I myself have carried out tests for the RIVM. Sometimes with mice, sometimes with rats, and yes occasionally with people,&quot; another toxicology professor, Paul Borm, told NOS, the Dutch public broadcaster.

Such tests are carried out under strict conditions and each experiment must be approved by a medical ethics committee, Cassee said, adding that in the case of animals the project must first be get a green light from an animal welfare charity.

In most cases, a combination of methods is used, with tests on animals, stem cells as well as human beings who remain &quot;the most pertinent&quot; for deciding how best to protect people.

The new scandal follows VW`s admission in 2015 that it had manipulated 11 million diesel cars worldwide, equipping them with cheating software to make them seem less polluting than they were.

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) was involved in the research

Dutch researchers have been performing tests "for years" on humans and animals to study the effects of diesel fumes, scientists said Tuesday, amid an outcry in Germany over similar experiments. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) "is involved in research in which volunteers ... are exposed to diluted emissions from a diesel engine" for a maximum of two hours, Flemming Cassee, a toxicologist at the organisation told AFP. The volunteers were made up of people "in good health, as well as those who are sick, such as those who are been treated by cardiologists". The emissions are similar to those breathed in every day in a busy town or close to motorways, added Cassee, a researcher at the institute which often carries out assignments for the Dutch government as well as other public bodies. "We`ve been doing it for years, and there is nothing extraordinary about it," he stressed, adding the situation was the same in "many countries". According to the New York Times, US researchers in 2014 locked 10 monkeys into airtight chambers and made them breathe in diesel exhaust from a Volkswage Beetle while the animals were watching TV cartoons. Separately, it emerged that a research group funded by Volkswage, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and BMW had ordered a study in Germany measuring the effects of inhaling nitrogen dioxide on 25 human volunteers. Casse said the controversial German experiments had been "ordered by industry and private research organisations," whereas everything done by the RIVM "is public" with a focus on "what we are doing, how we do it and what will come out of it." Volkswagen on Tuesday suspended its chief lobbyist Thomas Steg as outrage mounted over monkey and human experiments. Dutch researcher Nicole Janssen told the Dutch daily NRC that between 2010 and 2015 a large research project into air pollution was carried out in which a group of volunteers was exposed to the fumes on two busy highways, one in central Rotterdam. "I myself have carried out tests for the RIVM. Sometimes with mice, sometimes with rats, and yes occasionally with people," another toxicology professor, Paul Borm, told NOS, the Dutch public broadcaster. Such tests are carried out under strict conditions and each experiment must be approved by a medical ethics committee, Cassee said, adding that in the case of animals the project must first be get a green light from an animal welfare charity. In most cases, a combination of methods is used, with tests on animals, stem cells as well as human beings who remain "the most pertinent" for deciding how best to protect people. The new scandal follows VW`s admission in 2015 that it had manipulated 11 million diesel cars worldwide, equipping them with cheating software to make them seem less polluting than they were.

Dutch have done human, animal diesel tests 'for years', say researchers

German carmakers came under fire Monday following revelations they helped finance experiments that saw humans and monkeys exposed to toxic diesel fumes that have been linked to asthma, lung diseases and heart attacks.

The disclosures sparked widespread outrage, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel who strongly condemned the latest controversy to engulf the nation&#39;s powerful but scandal-tainted auto industry

&quot;These tests on monkeys or even humans are in no way ethically justified,&quot; said Merkel&#39;s spokesman Steffen Seibert.

&quot;The indignation felt by many people is completely understandable.&quot;

Earlier Monday the Sueddeutsche and Stuttgarter Zeitung dailies reported that a research group funded by Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW had measured the effects of inhaling nitrogen oxide gases on 25 healthy human beings at a German university hospital.

The revelation came just days after the New York Times wrote that the same organisation carried out tests on monkeys in the United States in 2014.

According to the NYT article, the researchers locked 10 monkeys into airtight chambers and made them breathe in diesel exhausts from a VW Beetle while watching cartoons.

Volkswagen apologised for the animal testing at the weekend, saying the group &quot;distances itself clearly from all forms of animal abuse&quot;.

Special meeting&nbsp;

The German government has called a special meeting with the affected car companies to ask them to explain themselves, said acting transport minister Christian Schmidt.

&quot;This has once again damaged trust in the auto industry,&quot; he said.

It was VW&#39;s admission in 2015 that it had manipulated 11 million diesel cars with cheating software to make them seems less polluting than they were that brought close scrutiny to the industry, which had long touted diesels as better for the environment than gasoline-powered engines.

Several German cities grappling with air pollution are now mulling diesel bans.

All three German carmakers have distanced themselves from the research body in question -- the now defunct European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) -- and promised to launch internal investigations.

&quot;The BMW Group did not participate in the mentioned studies,&quot; the luxury carmaker said in a statement.

&quot;We are appalled by the extent of the studies and their implementation,&quot; a Daimler spokesman told AFP.

While it was the EUGT that commissioned both tests, the organisation itself was financed by the trio of car giants hoping its research would defend diesel&#39;s green reputation -- and the valuable tax breaks that go with it.

The car companies decided in late 2016 to dissolve the EUGT, which finally shut its doors last year.

No significant effects

The tests involving 25 human volunteers were carried out at a university hospital in the German city of Aachen in 2013 and 2014.

As part of the study, the participants were exposed for several hours to different levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) -- the most toxic form of nitrogen oxide and commonly found in diesel exhausts.&nbsp;

The researchers detected &quot;no significant effects&quot;, according to a summary of the study.

But Thomas Kraus, the head of the relevant department at the university hospital in Aachen, told German media the findings were limited as they weren&#39;t representative of the wider population and didn&#39;t take into account general air pollution.

The institute released a statement stressing the study had been approved by the university hospital&#39;s ethics commission.

The study was carried out before &quot;dieselgate&quot; erupted and was not linked to diesel emissions testing or to experiments involving monkeys, it added.

On its website the World Health Organization points to &quot;growing evidence&quot; that nitrogen dioxide exposure &quot;can increase symptoms of bronchitis and asthma, as well as lead to respiratory infections and reduced lung function and growth.&quot;

Exposure is &quot;linked to premature mortality... from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases,&quot; it states.

Absurd

The premier of Lower Saxony, whose state is home to VW&#39;s Wolfsburg headquarters and is one of the group&#39;s biggest shareholders, echoed Berlin&#39;s repudiation of the tests.

The experiments are &quot;absurd and disgusting&quot; said Weil, whose state holds two seats on VW&#39;s supervisory board.

He reminded the VW group that it &quot;must meet all ethical requirements&quot;.

The latest scandal &quot;will have a lasting impact on the public&#39;s trust in the auto industry,&quot; predicted analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of the Center for Automotive Research.

A research group funded by Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW had measured the effects of inhaling nitrogen oxide gases on 25 healthy human beings at a German university hospital

German carmakers came under fire Monday following revelations they helped finance experiments that saw humans and monkeys exposed to toxic diesel fumes that have been linked to asthma, lung diseases and heart attacks. The disclosures sparked widespread outrage, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel who strongly condemned the latest controversy to engulf the nation's powerful but scandal-tainted auto industry "These tests on monkeys or even humans are in no way ethically justified," said Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert. "The indignation felt by many people is completely understandable." Earlier Monday the Sueddeutsche and Stuttgarter Zeitung dailies reported that a research group funded by Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW had measured the effects of inhaling nitrogen oxide gases on 25 healthy human beings at a German university hospital. The revelation came just days after the New York Times wrote that the same organisation carried out tests on monkeys in the United States in 2014. According to the NYT article, the researchers locked 10 monkeys into airtight chambers and made them breathe in diesel exhausts from a VW Beetle while watching cartoons. Volkswagen apologised for the animal testing at the weekend, saying the group "distances itself clearly from all forms of animal abuse". Special meeting The German government has called a special meeting with the affected car companies to ask them to explain themselves, said acting transport minister Christian Schmidt. "This has once again damaged trust in the auto industry," he said. It was VW's admission in 2015 that it had manipulated 11 million diesel cars with cheating software to make them seems less polluting than they were that brought close scrutiny to the industry, which had long touted diesels as better for the environment than gasoline-powered engines. Several German cities grappling with air pollution are now mulling diesel bans. All three German carmakers have distanced themselves from the research body in question -- the now defunct European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) -- and promised to launch internal investigations. "The BMW Group did not participate in the mentioned studies," the luxury carmaker said in a statement. "We are appalled by the extent of the studies and their implementation," a Daimler spokesman told AFP. While it was the EUGT that commissioned both tests, the organisation itself was financed by the trio of car giants hoping its research would defend diesel's green reputation -- and the valuable tax breaks that go with it. The car companies decided in late 2016 to dissolve the EUGT, which finally shut its doors last year. No significant effects The tests involving 25 human volunteers were carried out at a university hospital in the German city of Aachen in 2013 and 2014. As part of the study, the participants were exposed for several hours to different levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) -- the most toxic form of nitrogen oxide and commonly found in diesel exhausts. The researchers detected "no significant effects", according to a summary of the study. But Thomas Kraus, the head of the relevant department at the university hospital in Aachen, told German media the findings were limited as they weren't representative of the wider population and didn't take into account general air pollution. The institute released a statement stressing the study had been approved by the university hospital's ethics commission. The study was carried out before "dieselgate" erupted and was not linked to diesel emissions testing or to experiments involving monkeys, it added. On its website the World Health Organization points to "growing evidence" that nitrogen dioxide exposure "can increase symptoms of bronchitis and asthma, as well as lead to respiratory infections and reduced lung function and growth." Exposure is "linked to premature mortality... from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases," it states. Absurd The premier of Lower Saxony, whose state is home to VW's Wolfsburg headquarters and is one of the group's biggest shareholders, echoed Berlin's repudiation of the tests. The experiments are "absurd and disgusting" said Weil, whose state holds two seats on VW's supervisory board. He reminded the VW group that it "must meet all ethical requirements". The latest scandal "will have a lasting impact on the public's trust in the auto industry," predicted analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of the Center for Automotive Research.

German carmakers under fire for diesel tests on humans, monkeys

Volkswagen&#39;s core autos division increased vehicle sales to a record 6.23 million cars last year, as rising demand for VW brand models in the Americas and the key Chinese market offset a decline in western Europe.

Although the emissions test-cheating scandal of September 2015 has cost the German group billions of euros in fines and penalties, it does not seem to have caused major damage to the carmaker&#39;s popularity with consumers.

Deliveries rose 4.2 percent in 2017 to 6.23 million Volkswagen (VW) brand cars, the automaker said on Sunday at the Detroit auto show, helped by an expanding line-up of sport-utility vehicles including the all-new Atlas and Tremont models.

The carmaker expects to keep growing volume this year.

&quot;Based on economic forecasts and our plans for new models, there is no reason to expect that 2018 should turn worse than 2017,&quot; VW brand sales chief Juergen Stackmann said on Sunday at the Detroit auto show, declining to be more specific.

Higher deliveries at the mass-market brand, accounting for almost 60 percent of VW group sales, may have helped the Wolfsburg-based company beat Toyota for a second year in the global sales race. VW&#39;s premium divisions, Audi and Porsche, had already posted record 2017 deliveries last week.

Toyota said last month it expected to sell 10.35 million cars worldwide in 2017 across its Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brands, up 2 percent from 2016, and 10.5 million this year. VW is due to announce 2017 deliveries for the group as a whole on Jan. 17.

In China, Volkswagen&#39;s largest market, accounting for about half the core brand&#39;s deliveries, sales rose 5.9 percent last year to 3.18 million cars. In the United States, they were up 5.2 percent to 339,700 cars.

Deliveries dropped 2.5 percent to 1.43 million cars in the higher-margin, but diesel-heavy western European market as customers reacted to a backlash against diesel technology in the wake of Volkswagen&#39;s emissions trickery.

Sales of the VW brand, which is pushing a turnaround plan to revive profits, may continue to outpace rivals, according to industry forecaster IHS Markit.

Deliveries of VW passenger cars and light commercial vehicles could increase 14.6 percent to 7.75 million units by 2025 from 6.76 million last year, IHS data indicated.

That compares with gains of 11.6 percent to 9.65 million at Toyota and 3.7 percent to 5.84 million at Ford.&nbsp;

Deliveries rose 4.2 percent in 2017 to 6.23 million Volkswagen cars, the automaker said on Sunday at the Detroit auto show, helped by an expanding line-up of sport-utility vehicles including the all-new Atlas and Tremont models

Volkswagen's core autos division increased vehicle sales to a record 6.23 million cars last year, as rising demand for VW brand models in the Americas and the key Chinese market offset a decline in western Europe. Although the emissions test-cheating scandal of September 2015 has cost the German group billions of euros in fines and penalties, it does not seem to have caused major damage to the carmaker's popularity with consumers. Deliveries rose 4.2 percent in 2017 to 6.23 million Volkswagen (VW) brand cars, the automaker said on Sunday at the Detroit auto show, helped by an expanding line-up of sport-utility vehicles including the all-new Atlas and Tremont models. The carmaker expects to keep growing volume this year. "Based on economic forecasts and our plans for new models, there is no reason to expect that 2018 should turn worse than 2017," VW brand sales chief Juergen Stackmann said on Sunday at the Detroit auto show, declining to be more specific. Higher deliveries at the mass-market brand, accounting for almost 60 percent of VW group sales, may have helped the Wolfsburg-based company beat Toyota for a second year in the global sales race. VW's premium divisions, Audi and Porsche, had already posted record 2017 deliveries last week. Toyota said last month it expected to sell 10.35 million cars worldwide in 2017 across its Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brands, up 2 percent from 2016, and 10.5 million this year. VW is due to announce 2017 deliveries for the group as a whole on Jan. 17. In China, Volkswagen's largest market, accounting for about half the core brand's deliveries, sales rose 5.9 percent last year to 3.18 million cars. In the United States, they were up 5.2 percent to 339,700 cars. Deliveries dropped 2.5 percent to 1.43 million cars in the higher-margin, but diesel-heavy western European market as customers reacted to a backlash against diesel technology in the wake of Volkswagen's emissions trickery. Sales of the VW brand, which is pushing a turnaround plan to revive profits, may continue to outpace rivals, according to industry forecaster IHS Markit. Deliveries of VW passenger cars and light commercial vehicles could increase 14.6 percent to 7.75 million units by 2025 from 6.76 million last year, IHS data indicated. That compares with gains of 11.6 percent to 9.65 million at Toyota and 3.7 percent to 5.84 million at Ford.

Volkswagen brand car sales hit record 6.23 million in 2017

International day of persons with disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.

The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

International day of persons with disabilities also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of person with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

Each year the day focuses on the different issue. This year the UN has announced &quot;Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all&quot; as the annual theme.

Several different NGOs are organising events to spread awareness and to observe The International Day of Persons with disabilities.

The Telangana government has given a good news to disabled people by announcing that it will&nbsp;form&nbsp;a new set of guidelines which will take acid burns victims and people under 14&nbsp;other categories under disabled welfare to extend their benefits.

Before this only seven categories blindness, low vision, locomotive disability, hearing impairment, mental retardation, mental illness and leprosy were covered under disabled welfare.

But from now on people with conditions such as cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, specific learning disabilities, deafness, autism, spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson&#39;s disease, haemophilia, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities (conditions of any two disabilities or more) and acid attack survivors, will be given benefits under disabled welfare, Telangana Today reported.

Some of the benefits that they will receive include pre and post-matric scholarships, economic rehabilitation scheme, marriage incentive schemes and pensions.

Another noticeable thing is that the most states consider a person for the PwDs pension only if he/she has more than 80% disability but in Telangana, the government has been giving pensions to disabled persons irrespective of their age and extent of their disability.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-pm-modi-congratulates-blind-cricketers-but-is-india-sensitive-to-the-disabled-25263">Modi praises blind cricketers but is India sensitive to the disabled</a> 
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Volkswagen AG executive Oliver Schmidt pleaded guilty in August in the US District Court in Detroit to wrongdoing connected to a massive diesel emissions scandal that has cost Volkswagen as much as $30 billion

International day of persons with disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. International day of persons with disabilities also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of person with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Each year the day focuses on the different issue. This year the UN has announced "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all" as the annual theme. Several different NGOs are organising events to spread awareness and to observe The International Day of Persons with disabilities. The Telangana government has given a good news to disabled people by announcing that it will form a new set of guidelines which will take acid burns victims and people under 14 other categories under disabled welfare to extend their benefits. Before this only seven categories blindness, low vision, locomotive disability, hearing impairment, mental retardation, mental illness and leprosy were covered under disabled welfare. But from now on people with conditions such as cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, specific learning disabilities, deafness, autism, spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, haemophilia, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities (conditions of any two disabilities or more) and acid attack survivors, will be given benefits under disabled welfare, Telangana Today reported. Some of the benefits that they will receive include pre and post-matric scholarships, economic rehabilitation scheme, marriage incentive schemes and pensions. Another noticeable thing is that the most states consider a person for the PwDs pension only if he/she has more than 80% disability but in Telangana, the government has been giving pensions to disabled persons irrespective of their age and extent of their disability. Also read: Modi praises blind cricketers but is India sensitive to the disabled

Volkswagen 'misused' me, accused executive tells judge

Volkswagen has launched its 2017 Passat in India with a starting price of Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

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The new Passat is here, pushing the boundaries of engineering and luxury. Yet again. 
Know more -&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/Nt4OaH9HdJ">https://t.co/Nt4OaH9HdJ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelThePresence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FeelThePresence</a> <a href="https://t.co/lDc1HBklDH">pic.twitter.com/lDc1HBklDH</a>
&mdash; Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/volkswagenindia/status/917662994842107904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The new model is Volkswagen&#39;s first sedan in India.&nbsp;It has been designed with Volkswagen&#39;s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform.&nbsp;

This is the first car that comes with nine airbags in its segment.&nbsp;

The car has been adorned with features like Panoramic Sunroof, Nappa leather seat upholstery, reverse camera with a 360 degeree view, park assist and App connect.&nbsp;

The model will be available in two variants:&nbsp;Comfort line&nbsp;and High line, and in six colours - Oryx white, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Black oak brown metallic,&nbsp;Brit silver metallic, Atlantic blue metallic and Mangan Grey metallic.

The automaker has already started the production of the model at its Aurangabad facility.&nbsp;

Introduced in the International market in 2014, the model has already been on sale in the global market for the past two years.&nbsp;

The new launch from Volkswagen will compete with Toyota Camry, Honda Accord&nbsp;and the Skoda Superb.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Welcome the new Volkswagen Passat! So advanced, you&#39;ll surely <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelThePresence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FeelThePresence</a> <a href="https://t.co/DGqj4ibPr3">https://t.co/DGqj4ibPr3</a> <a href="https://t.co/zuWEKz811i">https://t.co/zuWEKz811i</a>
&mdash; Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/volkswagenindia/status/917639356654936064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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While the Passat Comfortline has been launched at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Highline is priced at Rs 32.99 lakh.&nbsp;

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While the Passat Comfortline has been launched at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Highline is priced at Rs 32.99 lakh

Volkswagen has launched its 2017 Passat in India with a starting price of Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Passat is here, pushing the boundaries of engineering and luxury. Yet again. Know more - https://t.co/Nt4OaH9HdJ#FeelThePresence pic.twitter.com/lDc1HBklDH — Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) October 10, 2017 × The new model is Volkswagen's first sedan in India. It has been designed with Volkswagen's Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. This is the first car that comes with nine airbags in its segment. The car has been adorned with features like Panoramic Sunroof, Nappa leather seat upholstery, reverse camera with a 360 degeree view, park assist and App connect. The model will be available in two variants: Comfort line and High line, and in six colours - Oryx white, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Black oak brown metallic, Brit silver metallic, Atlantic blue metallic and Mangan Grey metallic. The automaker has already started the production of the model at its Aurangabad facility. Introduced in the International market in 2014, the model has already been on sale in the global market for the past two years. The new launch from Volkswagen will compete with Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and the Skoda Superb. Welcome the new Volkswagen Passat! So advanced, you'll surely #FeelThePresence https://t.co/DGqj4ibPr3 https://t.co/zuWEKz811i — Volkswagen India (@volkswagenindia) October 10, 2017 × While the Passat Comfortline has been launched at Rs 29.99 lakh, the Highline is priced at Rs 32.99 lakh.

Volkswagen Passat launched in India @ Rs 29.99 lakh

The Czech car maker&nbsp;Skoda has launched its Kodiaq SUV in India.

Because the Kodiaq is the company&#39;s first seven-seater in India, Skoda is offering only one fully-loaded variant in India.&nbsp;

Bookings are now open, and the first deliveries are expected in the first week of November.&nbsp;

Skoda says the&nbsp;Kodiaq comes with a number of &quot;simply clever&quot; features, which&nbsp;include:&nbsp;

Umbrella pockets in the front doors.

A removable LED lamp in the luggage compartment. The lamp is fitted with a magnet, so it can be used for illumination as well as to replace a tyre.

Touch-free tailgate opening -- the rear door opens with a &quot;virtual pedal&quot;.

The Kodiaq also comes with a &quot;sleep package&quot; -- which means a set of blankets, and what the company says are &quot;special headrests&quot;&nbsp;to provide maximum comfort.

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Skoda is offering only one fully-loaded variant of the Kodiaq. (Image source: Skoda.com) (Others)
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The Kodiaq is Skoda&#39;s first seven-seater in India. (Image source: Skoda.com) (Others)
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The Kodiaq comes with a sunroof and what the company calls a host of &#39;simply clever&#39; features. (Image source: Skoda.com) (Others)
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The SUV will come in four colours -- Lava Blue, Quartz Grey, Magic Black,&nbsp;and Moon White.&nbsp;

The Kodiaq, which is priced at Rs 34.50 lakh, will compete with the Toyota Fortuner, the Ford Endeavour, the&nbsp;Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

And it will cost Rs 34.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

Bookings are open, the first deliveries are expected in the first week of November

The Czech car maker Skoda has launched its Kodiaq SUV in India. Because the Kodiaq is the company's first seven-seater in India, Skoda is offering only one fully-loaded variant in India. Bookings are now open, and the first deliveries are expected in the first week of November. Skoda says the Kodiaq comes with a number of "simply clever" features, which include: Umbrella pockets in the front doors. A removable LED lamp in the luggage compartment. The lamp is fitted with a magnet, so it can be used for illumination as well as to replace a tyre. Touch-free tailgate opening -- the rear door opens with a "virtual pedal". The Kodiaq also comes with a "sleep package" -- which means a set of blankets, and what the company says are "special headrests" to provide maximum comfort. Skoda is offering only one fully-loaded variant of the Kodiaq. (Image source: Skoda.com) (Others) × The Kodiaq is Skoda's first seven-seater in India. (Image source: Skoda.com) (Others) × The Kodiaq comes with a sunroof and what the company calls a host of 'simply clever' features. (Image source: Skoda.com) (Others) × The SUV will come in four colours -- Lava Blue, Quartz Grey, Magic Black, and Moon White. The Kodiaq, which is priced at Rs 34.50 lakh, will compete with the Toyota Fortuner, the Ford Endeavour, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and the Volkswagen Tiguan. And it will cost Rs 34.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

Skoda launches Kodiaq SUV at Rs 34.50 lakh

Greenpeace&nbsp;activists boarded a&nbsp;ship&nbsp;on its way to Britain on Thursday in an attempt to&nbsp;stop&nbsp;a consignment of Volkswagen diesel cars being imported from Germany whilst others sought to immobilise vehicles at a port in a protest against emission levels.

VW&nbsp;admitted faking diesel emissions tests in 2015, triggering political and consumer pressure which has seen diesel cars sales slump in major markets and politicians around the world announce plans to ban the sale of conventional vehicles.

Greenpeace&nbsp;said its volunteers had used kayaks and boats to board the&nbsp;ship&nbsp;in the Thames Estuary in a&nbsp;bid&nbsp;to&nbsp;stop&nbsp;the vessel unloading at the southeastern port of Sheerness in Kent.

Others broke into a vehicle park at Sheerness where they were sticking labels on engines and attempting to immobilize cars by taking the keys, the environmental pressure group said.

Kent police said officers were at the scene.

Britain aims to ban the sale of diesel vehicles from 2040 as part of plans to improve air quality but activists said the measures needed to be implemented now.

&quot;Diesel cars are&nbsp;toxic&nbsp;&ndash; so we&rsquo;re here to block&nbsp;VW&nbsp;imports on behalf of all of the children who are the most acutely affected by the health impacts,&quot; said 38-year old Janet Barker, who took part in the protest, in a statement.

&ldquo;The government says we need to wait another 23 years for dirty&nbsp;diesels&nbsp;to be banned. We can&rsquo;t wait that long,&quot; she added.

Volkswagen did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

VW?admitted faking diesel emissions tests in 2015, triggering political and consumer pressure which has seen diesel cars sales slump in major markets and politicians around the world announce plans to ban the sale of conventional vehicles.

Greenpeace activists boarded a ship on its way to Britain on Thursday in an attempt to stop a consignment of Volkswagen diesel cars being imported from Germany whilst others sought to immobilise vehicles at a port in a protest against emission levels. VW admitted faking diesel emissions tests in 2015, triggering political and consumer pressure which has seen diesel cars sales slump in major markets and politicians around the world announce plans to ban the sale of conventional vehicles. Greenpeace said its volunteers had used kayaks and boats to board the ship in the Thames Estuary in a bid to stop the vessel unloading at the southeastern port of Sheerness in Kent. Others broke into a vehicle park at Sheerness where they were sticking labels on engines and attempting to immobilize cars by taking the keys, the environmental pressure group said. Kent police said officers were at the scene. Britain aims to ban the sale of diesel vehicles from 2040 as part of plans to improve air quality but activists said the measures needed to be implemented now. "Diesel cars are toxic – so we’re here to block VW imports on behalf of all of the children who are the most acutely affected by the health impacts," said 38-year old Janet Barker, who took part in the protest, in a statement. “The government says we need to wait another 23 years for dirty diesels to be banned. We can’t wait that long," she added. Volkswagen did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

Greenpeace boards ship in bid to stop UK-bound shipment of "toxic" VW diesels

European carmakers offered a further 20 percent cut in average carbon dioxide emissions for their vehicles in the next round of EU goals currently being drawn up, but said full compliance should wait until 2030 and remain conditional on consumer uptake of electrified cars.

The industry needs a &quot;clear and foreseeable time frame&quot; for emission goals beyond 2021, when a new limit of 95 grammes of CO2 per kilometre is due to enter force, said Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche, who currently chairs ACEA, the main European carmakers&#39; association.

Europe&#39;s powerful car industry has come under fire since Volkswagen admitted to cheating on emission tests in the United States.

The further 20 per cent cut proposed by ACEA would reduce average CO2 emission goals to 76 grammes per kilometre.

Full implementation of the next round of goals should be conditional on consumer acceptance of the dozens of electric cars and rechargeable hybrids currently in development, Zetsche told reporters at the Frankfurt auto show.

During a mid-term review in 2025 the 20 per cent reduction goal could be either raised or lowered depending not only on the uptake of electric cars but also on the availability of battery re-charging infrastructure, he added.

&quot;This conditionality principle links Europe&#39;s long-term climate objectives to the reality of the market,&quot; he said.

Zetsche said the latest generation of diesel vehicles needed to remain part of the industry&#39;s efforts to decarbonise road transport as long as the market share of electric vehicles remained low.

According to ACEA data, chargeable electric vehicles made up 1.2 per cent of new car sales in the first half of this year.

&quot;Any rash move away from this technology (diesel) will make it more difficult for our industry to meet the European Commission targets,&quot; he said.

The industry needs a "clear and foreseeable time frame" for emission goals beyond 2021, when a new limit of 95 grammes of CO2 per kilometre is due to enter force, said Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche, who currently chairs ACEA, the main European carmakers' association.

European carmakers offered a further 20 percent cut in average carbon dioxide emissions for their vehicles in the next round of EU goals currently being drawn up, but said full compliance should wait until 2030 and remain conditional on consumer uptake of electrified cars. The industry needs a "clear and foreseeable time frame" for emission goals beyond 2021, when a new limit of 95 grammes of CO2 per kilometre is due to enter force, said Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche, who currently chairs ACEA, the main European carmakers' association. Europe's powerful car industry has come under fire since Volkswagen admitted to cheating on emission tests in the United States. The further 20 per cent cut proposed by ACEA would reduce average CO2 emission goals to 76 grammes per kilometre. Full implementation of the next round of goals should be conditional on consumer acceptance of the dozens of electric cars and rechargeable hybrids currently in development, Zetsche told reporters at the Frankfurt auto show. During a mid-term review in 2025 the 20 per cent reduction goal could be either raised or lowered depending not only on the uptake of electric cars but also on the availability of battery re-charging infrastructure, he added. "This conditionality principle links Europe's long-term climate objectives to the reality of the market," he said. Zetsche said the latest generation of diesel vehicles needed to remain part of the industry's efforts to decarbonise road transport as long as the market share of electric vehicles remained low. According to ACEA data, chargeable electric vehicles made up 1.2 per cent of new car sales in the first half of this year. "Any rash move away from this technology (diesel) will make it more difficult for our industry to meet the European Commission targets," he said.

EU carmakers offer conditional 20 per cent CO2 cut by 2030

North Korea today <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-three-short-range-missiles-us-army-19527">fired a missile over Japan which experts</a> said was an intermediate-range Hwasong-12 missile escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula even as US and South Korean forces continue to conduct military drills in the region.

Japanese air defence personnel participated in a drill just hours after North Korea launched a ballistic missile over its territory.&nbsp;

The drill was conducted at Yokota US air&nbsp;base on the outskirts of Tokyo with Japan&#39;s air defence personnel conducting drills with radars, antennas and Patriot Advanced Capability 3 and PAC-3, Reuters reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-orders-more-production-of-icbms-state-media-19343">North Korea had fired three short-range ballistic missiles on Saturday</a>, two missiles failed in flight and the third blew up &quot;almost immediately&quot; however this time the missile flew over Japan and landed in waters off northern Hokkaido.&nbsp;

The missile launch led to a huge panic&nbsp;with Japan warning its citizens of a missile launch in the J-Alert system, bullet trains were stopped and Japan&#39;s stock market the Nikkei fell one per cent.

&quot;North Korea&#39;s reckless action is an unprecedented, serious and a grave threat to our nation,&quot; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters.

PM Abe said Japan is seeking an urgent UN meeting to pressure North Korea, the test he said was a clear violation of the UN resolution. South Korea too condemned the recent missile launch by its neighbour.

North Korea&#39;s state media <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/in-photos-north-korea-signals-a-more-powerful-icbm-in-the-works-19490">had published photographs last Wednesday of Kim standing next to a diagram</a> of a three-stage rocket it called the Hwasong-13. Missile experts were unsure whether it was fully developed, some felt it&nbsp;could even be a ploy by Kim&#39;s government to tacitly warn its neighbours including the US but the latest missile test has almost made Pyongyang&#39;s intentions clear.

South Korea&#39;s military said the missile was launched from the Sunan region near the North Korean capital in the morning before 6am and flew 2,700 km, reaching an altitude of about 550 km.

&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dXHXLcbVVv0" width="560"></iframe>

The firm along with SAIC Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen are calling back the vehicles owing to a faulty fuel pump, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said on its website

North Korea today fired a missile over Japan which experts said was an intermediate-range Hwasong-12 missile escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula even as US and South Korean forces continue to conduct military drills in the region. Japanese air defence personnel participated in a drill just hours after North Korea launched a ballistic missile over its territory. The drill was conducted at Yokota US air base on the outskirts of Tokyo with Japan's air defence personnel conducting drills with radars, antennas and Patriot Advanced Capability 3 and PAC-3, Reuters reported. North Korea had fired three short-range ballistic missiles on Saturday, two missiles failed in flight and the third blew up "almost immediately" however this time the missile flew over Japan and landed in waters off northern Hokkaido. The missile launch led to a huge panic with Japan warning its citizens of a missile launch in the J-Alert system, bullet trains were stopped and Japan's stock market the Nikkei fell one per cent. "North Korea's reckless action is an unprecedented, serious and a grave threat to our nation," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. PM Abe said Japan is seeking an urgent UN meeting to pressure North Korea, the test he said was a clear violation of the UN resolution. South Korea too condemned the recent missile launch by its neighbour. North Korea's state media had published photographs last Wednesday of Kim standing next to a diagram of a three-stage rocket it called the Hwasong-13. Missile experts were unsure whether it was fully developed, some felt it could even be a ploy by Kim's government to tacitly warn its neighbours including the US but the latest missile test has almost made Pyongyang's intentions clear. South Korea's military said the missile was launched from the Sunan region near the North Korean capital in the morning before 6am and flew 2,700 km, reaching an altitude of about 550 km.

Volkswagen to recall over 1.8 million vehicles in China

Volkswagen has revealed&nbsp;the details of the all new T-Roc compact SUV. The car is all set to enter the showrooms in 2018 and is set to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September&nbsp;this year. The car will be priced at around &pound;19,000.&nbsp;

T-Roc is designed with LED headlamps with LED DRL&#39;s, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual tone roof, LED tail lamps and chrome exhaust.&nbsp;

The car features a wireless phone charging option and a 330 Watt eight-channel Bose surround system which is further adorned with 11.7-inch active info display, 8-inch touch screen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and MirrorLink.&nbsp;

The new launch will measure&nbsp;4,234 mm in length, 1,819 mm in width, 1,573mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,603mm.&nbsp;

The international version of the car has been secured with a long list of safety features that include automatic post-collision braking, active land keeping and a front monitoring system, pedestrian monitoring and emergency braking as standard on all models.

The car also provides optional features such as driver alert system, road sign display, adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, traffic jam assist and emergency assist.

Based on the MQB platform, the T-Roc will be available with a choice of six engines and two gearboxes. It will also provide the users an option of either front or four wheel drive powertrains.&nbsp;

T-Roc will be manufactured at the Setbul facility in Lisbon.

T-Roc will be manufactured at the Setbul facility in Lisbon

Volkswagen has revealed the details of the all new T-Roc compact SUV. The car is all set to enter the showrooms in 2018 and is set to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year. The car will be priced at around £19,000. T-Roc is designed with LED headlamps with LED DRL's, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual tone roof, LED tail lamps and chrome exhaust. The car features a wireless phone charging option and a 330 Watt eight-channel Bose surround system which is further adorned with 11.7-inch active info display, 8-inch touch screen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and MirrorLink. The new launch will measure 4,234 mm in length, 1,819 mm in width, 1,573mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,603mm. The international version of the car has been secured with a long list of safety features that include automatic post-collision braking, active land keeping and a front monitoring system, pedestrian monitoring and emergency braking as standard on all models. The car also provides optional features such as driver alert system, road sign display, adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, traffic jam assist and emergency assist. Based on the MQB platform, the T-Roc will be available with a choice of six engines and two gearboxes. It will also provide the users an option of either front or four wheel drive powertrains. T-Roc will be manufactured at the Setbul facility in Lisbon.

First Look: Volkswagen T-Roc SUV, to be launched in 2018

Germany will set up a new organisation to test vehicle emissions to try to restore consumer confidence after Volkswagen&#39;s emissions scandal revealed an industry-wide pollution problem, the transport ministry said.&nbsp;

The ministry said the new institute would involve consumer organisations, local governments, and environmental groups, as well as the auto industry and ministries, to ensure &quot;more transparency and reliability&quot; in vehicle tests.

However, the KBA motor vehicle authority, which reports to the transport ministry and currently oversees vehicle testing, will remain responsible for licensing new models.

Since Volkswagen admitted to cheating US diesel emissions tests in September 2015, the German government has come under fire for not doing enough to crack down on vehicle pollution and for being too close to the country&#39;s powerful car industry.

The ministry said the new institute would test about 70 car models a year using realistic driving scenarios, rather than relying solely on laboratory conditions, and the emissions and fuel consumption results would be made public to allow car buyers to make better comparisons.

It noted that current official tests do not take into account factors such as the use of air conditioning and radio, or the weather or style of driving, which all influence fuel consumption.

Germany&#39;s VDA auto industry association said in a statement its members were keen to give customers more information about variance in fuel efficiency and would fully participate in the new institute in the interests of more transparency.

Sector under pressure

As per previous reports, transport ministry was pushing carmakers to update the engine management software to cut pollution in up to 12 million diesel vehicles in the country.

HSBC analysts said estimates for the cost of retrofitting cars vary widely but could reach as much as 10 billion euros.

&quot;The theme remains highly relevant and creates uncertainty that we believe contributes to the ongoing de-rating of the sector,&quot; HSBC wrote in a note referring to pressure on carmakers&#39; shares.

Volkswagen&#39;s 2015 admission that it used software to cheat US diesel emission tests highlighted the laxness of the European Union&#39;s own tests, which are currently organised on a national rather than a pan-European level.

The European Commission is seeking broader supervisory powers, including the ability to impose fines on carmakers, but Germany is lobbying to keep vehicle testing and licensing a national affair.

In the aftermath of the Volkswagen scandal, the German transport ministry ordered tests on the carbon dioxide emissions of 29 models. 17 passed the test, while 10 models still needed to be tested in the coming months.

However, some versions of an Opel Zafira car and a Smart For Two produced by Daimler released more carbon dioxide than they should, although the Smart model still needed to undergo further tests. Both versions of the models in question are now discontinued.

Zafira diesels already on the road will have to undergo a software update, the ministry said, although the licences for both vehicles will not be withdrawn.

Opel said the Zafira had passed all legal tests, noting fewer than 3,800 of the model in question had been sold in Germany.

European governments have promoted diesel cars as part of efforts to fight climate change as they produce less carbon dioxide than petrol cars, although environmental groups have cast doubt over how much less they produce and have focused instead on the levels of toxic nitrogen oxides they emit.

Germany is trying to restore consumer confidence after Volkswagen's emissions scandal revealed an industry-wide pollution problem

Germany will set up a new organisation to test vehicle emissions to try to restore consumer confidence after Volkswagen's emissions scandal revealed an industry-wide pollution problem, the transport ministry said. The ministry said the new institute would involve consumer organisations, local governments, and environmental groups, as well as the auto industry and ministries, to ensure "more transparency and reliability" in vehicle tests. However, the KBA motor vehicle authority, which reports to the transport ministry and currently oversees vehicle testing, will remain responsible for licensing new models. Since Volkswagen admitted to cheating US diesel emissions tests in September 2015, the German government has come under fire for not doing enough to crack down on vehicle pollution and for being too close to the country's powerful car industry. The ministry said the new institute would test about 70 car models a year using realistic driving scenarios, rather than relying solely on laboratory conditions, and the emissions and fuel consumption results would be made public to allow car buyers to make better comparisons. It noted that current official tests do not take into account factors such as the use of air conditioning and radio, or the weather or style of driving, which all influence fuel consumption. Germany's VDA auto industry association said in a statement its members were keen to give customers more information about variance in fuel efficiency and would fully participate in the new institute in the interests of more transparency. Sector under pressure As per previous reports, transport ministry was pushing carmakers to update the engine management software to cut pollution in up to 12 million diesel vehicles in the country. HSBC analysts said estimates for the cost of retrofitting cars vary widely but could reach as much as 10 billion euros. "The theme remains highly relevant and creates uncertainty that we believe contributes to the ongoing de-rating of the sector," HSBC wrote in a note referring to pressure on carmakers' shares. Volkswagen's 2015 admission that it used software to cheat US diesel emission tests highlighted the laxness of the European Union's own tests, which are currently organised on a national rather than a pan-European level. The European Commission is seeking broader supervisory powers, including the ability to impose fines on carmakers, but Germany is lobbying to keep vehicle testing and licensing a national affair. In the aftermath of the Volkswagen scandal, the German transport ministry ordered tests on the carbon dioxide emissions of 29 models. 17 passed the test, while 10 models still needed to be tested in the coming months. However, some versions of an Opel Zafira car and a Smart For Two produced by Daimler released more carbon dioxide than they should, although the Smart model still needed to undergo further tests. Both versions of the models in question are now discontinued. Zafira diesels already on the road will have to undergo a software update, the ministry said, although the licences for both vehicles will not be withdrawn. Opel said the Zafira had passed all legal tests, noting fewer than 3,800 of the model in question had been sold in Germany. European governments have promoted diesel cars as part of efforts to fight climate change as they produce less carbon dioxide than petrol cars, although environmental groups have cast doubt over how much less they produce and have focused instead on the levels of toxic nitrogen oxides they emit.

Germany plans new emissions testing body after Volkswagen scandal

German carmaker Volkswagen will cooperate with US chipmaker Nvidia on deep learning software that could be used to manage traffic flows or make it easier for humans to work with robots.

&quot;Artificial intelligence is the key to the digital future of the Volkswagen Group,&quot; Volkswagen Chief Information Officer Martin Hofmann said. &quot;We want to develop and deploy high-performance AI systems ourselves. This is why we are expanding our expert knowledge required. Cooperation with Nvidia will be a major step in this direction.&quot;

Nvidia came to prominence in the gaming industry for designing graphics processing chips, but in recent years has been a key player in the automotive sector for providing the so-called &quot;brain&quot; of the autonomous vehicle.

The US-based group separately announced it was also partnering with Volvo Cars and Swedish auto supplier Autoliv to develop self-driving car technology for vehicles due to hit the market by 2021.

The partnership will work on deep learning software that could be used to manage traffic flows or make it easier for humans to work with robots.

German carmaker Volkswagen will cooperate with US chipmaker Nvidia on deep learning software that could be used to manage traffic flows or make it easier for humans to work with robots. "Artificial intelligence is the key to the digital future of the Volkswagen Group," Volkswagen Chief Information Officer Martin Hofmann said. "We want to develop and deploy high-performance AI systems ourselves. This is why we are expanding our expert knowledge required. Cooperation with Nvidia will be a major step in this direction." Nvidia came to prominence in the gaming industry for designing graphics processing chips, but in recent years has been a key player in the automotive sector for providing the so-called "brain" of the autonomous vehicle. The US-based group separately announced it was also partnering with Volvo Cars and Swedish auto supplier Autoliv to develop self-driving car technology for vehicles due to hit the market by 2021.

Volkswagen, Nvidia to cooperate on artificial intelligence

German auto major Volkswagen has started production of its upcoming premium SUV Tiguan at the Aurangabad plant in Maharashtra.

To be launched later this year in India, the Tiguan will be available with a 2 litre diesel engine mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox.

&quot;The Tiguan will be our premium SUV offering for India and will cater to the unceasing demand in the segment. Our customers will now have an extended portfolio, ranging from hatchback to executive sedan, to meet their requirements at our showrooms,&quot; Michael Mayer, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India said in a statement.

The premium SUV along with sedan Passat are the new products lined up for launch by the company this year. VW has already launched performance-oriented hatchback GTI and is seeking to position itself as a full range &quot;accessible premium car brand&quot; in India.

The Tiguan was first showcased at the Auto Expo in 2016. It will compete with the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour which are priced in the range of Rs 25.92 lakh to up to Rs 31.12 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

(PTI)

The Tiguan was first showcased at the Auto Expo in 2016.

German auto major Volkswagen has started production of its upcoming premium SUV Tiguan at the Aurangabad plant in Maharashtra. To be launched later this year in India, the Tiguan will be available with a 2 litre diesel engine mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox. "The Tiguan will be our premium SUV offering for India and will cater to the unceasing demand in the segment. Our customers will now have an extended portfolio, ranging from hatchback to executive sedan, to meet their requirements at our showrooms," Michael Mayer, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India said in a statement. The premium SUV along with sedan Passat are the new products lined up for launch by the company this year. VW has already launched performance-oriented hatchback GTI and is seeking to position itself as a full range "accessible premium car brand" in India. The Tiguan was first showcased at the Auto Expo in 2016. It will compete with the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour which are priced in the range of Rs 25.92 lakh to up to Rs 31.12 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). (PTI)

Volkswagen starts production of SUV Tiguan in India

Fraud investigators accused Renault of having cheated on pollution tests for diesel and petrol engines for over 25 years with the knowledge of top management. &quot;The entire chain of management&quot; up to the French firm&#39;s chief executive Carlos Ghosn was implicated in the &quot;fraudulent strategies&quot;, according to a report by anti-fraud agents which was seen by AFP Wednesday.

Reportedly, the carmaker&#39;s two models - Renault Captur and the Clio IV - pollute more than 300 per cent higher than the set legal limit in real-life conditions.

Renault is part-owned by the French government, which holds just under 20 per cent in the carmaker.

Renault shares sank 3.4 per cent on the Paris stock exchange to close at 79.45 euros, having fallen by more than four per cent at one point. This added to the previous day&#39;s 3.7 per cent drop.

&quot;This is huge for the carmaker,&quot; said one Paris-based analyst. Shares in fellow French manufacturer Peugeot were also down, by a much more modest 0.9 per cent, in an overall firmer market.

Renault categorically denied the accusations.

&#39;Renault doesn&#39;t cheat&#39;

&quot;Renault doesn&#39;t cheat,&quot; Thierry Bollore, the French company&#39;s second-in-command told AFP by telephone late on Wednesday, saying all its cars complied with legal standards.

In a separate statement released on Thursday, Renault said &quot;none of its services has breached European or national regulations related to vehicle homologations&quot;, or certification, and that it would fully cooperate with an official investigation launched in January.

&quot;Renault vehicles are not equipped with cheating software affecting anti-pollution systems,&quot; it said.

The fraud squad report said there was no evidence of Ghosn having charged anybody else with approving the company&#39;s emissions control decisions, which therefore ultimately came under &quot;his responsibility&quot;.

&quot;Many vehicles&quot; were fitted with the device which allowed cars under testing to appear cleaner than they were on the road, the report said.

Remember Volkswagen?

The accusations against Renault come after Europe&#39;s biggest carmaker, Volkswagen, admitted to fitting 11 million cars with devices allowing them to fool emission tests.

In January, Volkswagen agreed to plead guilty and pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil fines to settle charges that it defrauded the United States and conspired to violate the Clean Air Act.

This added to the $17.5 billion that the company already agreed to pay in settlements with car owners and dealers for environmental cleanup.

Renault would not likely face a similar scenario, as it sells no cars in the United States.

Volkswagen lost nearly half of its market capitalisation when the emissions scandal escalated, noted David Cheetham at London-based brokerage XTB.

While such a meltdown was &quot;improbable&quot; in Renault&#39;s case, the French carmaker still has reason to worry about the reaction of investors, he said.

&quot;Even though the stock is lower by around eight percent in recent sessions there could be more downside ahead,&quot; Cheetham said.

Potential fines of billions

France started investigating after some of Renault&#39;s models, along with those from other carmakers, were found to spew out too many harmful emissions in random tests under real-world conditions last summer.

Experts running the probe said they could not rule out other carmakers besides Volkswagen using cheating devices in test conditions.

Anti-fraud detectives then got on the case, leading to the latest report.

According to French consumer law, proof of fraud could lead to fines for Renault of up to 3.58 billion euros ($3.84 billion), the report said. This is, incidentally, almost exactly the size of the company&#39;s net profit in 2016. 
Investigations are also ongoing in other countries.

State prosecutors in southern Germany said they had searched offices belonging to carmaker Audi over parent company Volkswagen&#39;s cheating scandal.

Investigators from Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony states searched &quot;sites belonging to Audi AG and seven other locations&quot; on suspicion of &quot;fraud and illegal advertising&quot;, Munich prosecutors said in a statement. 
In January, Fiat Chrysler also came under fire when US authorities accused it of cheating emissions tests on diesel trucks and SUVs.

(AFP)

The accusations against Renault come after Volkswagen admitted to fitting 11 million cars with devices allowing them to fool emission tests

Fraud investigators accused Renault of having cheated on pollution tests for diesel and petrol engines for over 25 years with the knowledge of top management. "The entire chain of management" up to the French firm's chief executive Carlos Ghosn was implicated in the "fraudulent strategies", according to a report by anti-fraud agents which was seen by AFP Wednesday. Reportedly, the carmaker's two models - Renault Captur and the Clio IV - pollute more than 300 per cent higher than the set legal limit in real-life conditions. Renault is part-owned by the French government, which holds just under 20 per cent in the carmaker. Renault shares sank 3.4 per cent on the Paris stock exchange to close at 79.45 euros, having fallen by more than four per cent at one point. This added to the previous day's 3.7 per cent drop. "This is huge for the carmaker," said one Paris-based analyst. Shares in fellow French manufacturer Peugeot were also down, by a much more modest 0.9 per cent, in an overall firmer market. Renault categorically denied the accusations. 'Renault doesn't cheat' "Renault doesn't cheat," Thierry Bollore, the French company's second-in-command told AFP by telephone late on Wednesday, saying all its cars complied with legal standards. In a separate statement released on Thursday, Renault said "none of its services has breached European or national regulations related to vehicle homologations", or certification, and that it would fully cooperate with an official investigation launched in January. "Renault vehicles are not equipped with cheating software affecting anti-pollution systems," it said. The fraud squad report said there was no evidence of Ghosn having charged anybody else with approving the company's emissions control decisions, which therefore ultimately came under "his responsibility". "Many vehicles" were fitted with the device which allowed cars under testing to appear cleaner than they were on the road, the report said. Remember Volkswagen? The accusations against Renault come after Europe's biggest carmaker, Volkswagen, admitted to fitting 11 million cars with devices allowing them to fool emission tests. In January, Volkswagen agreed to plead guilty and pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil fines to settle charges that it defrauded the United States and conspired to violate the Clean Air Act. This added to the $17.5 billion that the company already agreed to pay in settlements with car owners and dealers for environmental cleanup. Renault would not likely face a similar scenario, as it sells no cars in the United States. Volkswagen lost nearly half of its market capitalisation when the emissions scandal escalated, noted David Cheetham at London-based brokerage XTB. While such a meltdown was "improbable" in Renault's case, the French carmaker still has reason to worry about the reaction of investors, he said. "Even though the stock is lower by around eight percent in recent sessions there could be more downside ahead," Cheetham said. Potential fines of billions France started investigating after some of Renault's models, along with those from other carmakers, were found to spew out too many harmful emissions in random tests under real-world conditions last summer. Experts running the probe said they could not rule out other carmakers besides Volkswagen using cheating devices in test conditions. Anti-fraud detectives then got on the case, leading to the latest report. According to French consumer law, proof of fraud could lead to fines for Renault of up to 3.58 billion euros ($3.84 billion), the report said. This is, incidentally, almost exactly the size of the company's net profit in 2016. Investigations are also ongoing in other countries. State prosecutors in southern Germany said they had searched offices belonging to carmaker Audi over parent company Volkswagen's cheating scandal. Investigators from Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony states searched "sites belonging to Audi AG and seven other locations" on suspicion of "fraud and illegal advertising", Munich prosecutors said in a statement. In January, Fiat Chrysler also came under fire when US authorities accused it of cheating emissions tests on diesel trucks and SUVs. (AFP)

Renault denies charges of pollution cheating software in cars

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