ARAI All set to Take Action Against Volkswagen

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New Delhi (ABC Live):  The Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises has ordered investigation through testing agency Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). The ARAI has submitted the preliminary report on 28th October 2015. Based on the initial findings, there is indication that the diesel vehicles fitted with E189 engine and manufactured in India by Volkswagen Group of Companies are fitted with “the defeat device”.

Fitment of such a device may lead to excess NOx emissions on road. At the moment, there are no specific norms or limits for measuring on road mass emissions coming out of cars.

The possible violation is with respect to fitment of defeat device on the vehicles so that it senses that the vehicle is being tested on the mandatory driving cycle and adjusts the performance of after-treatment devise accordingly to meet the regulatory emission test cycle in the laboratory.

Through ARAI, notice was issued to Volkswagen on 4th November 2015. Accordingly Volkswagen is required to respond to the notice by 30th November 2015.

Depending upon the outcome of the disclosure and test findings, possible penal/administrative action and/or recall of vehicles, as the case may be, shall be taken in accordance with applicable national laws.

The information related to fines being imposed by USA is available to this Ministry only through media reports. There is no official communication received from USA in this regard.

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Shri G.M. Siddeshwara in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.