VW INDIA IN DOCK

The government will issue a notice to auto giant Volkswagen after it confirmed emission cheat

NEW DELHI: The government said on Wednesday that it has issued a notice to German car major Volkswagen as Automotive Research Association of Inda (Arai) found “significant variations” in emission levels during on-road tests of the diesel models of VW Jetta and Vento, Skoda Octavia and Audi A4 and A6.

Both Audi and Skoda are owned by the Volkswagen Group.

“Arai has found significant variations in the emission level in on-road vehicles as compared to the laboratory measurements. We are issuing a notice to VW Group of companies today to give technical inputs and explain their position,” Ambuj Sharma, additional secretary, heavy industries ministry said.

“We will give them (Volkswagen) 15-21 days to reply to the notice. We are expecting a reply from them by month-end, with detailed technical inputs from their HQ in Germany,” Sharma said.

When contacted, Arai director Rashmi Urdhwareshe said: “We had tested the exhaust in Volkswagen’s on-road vehicles and found a significant difference in emission levels in comparison to the laboratory measurements. We are seeking a clarification from Volkswagen through the notice. We will decide the future course of action based on their reply and the technical inputs from their headquarters”.

If any wrongdoing is proved in India, the world’s largest car-maker may have to face criminal proceedings, fine and recall of vehicles, Sharma had said earlier. The findings are a part of the report submitted to the heavy industries ministry by Arai on Tuesday. Arai began its probe after VW’s global emission cheating scandal came to light in September.

Volkswagen India did not respond to queries.