It’s been a little over a month since the story broke about Volkswagen cheating emission laws with their TDI engine software around the world. And here’s where it’s at as of today.
Since our previous report, Volkswagen AG has spent the last month hunkered down in Germany as the bombs have been dropping in from several governments around the globe.
After all, the United States EPA as it turns out one only one of the many markets where they employed defeat devices in their ECU software.
While little information has come out as to what the fix is going to be for the three-generations of the 2.0 liter Volkswagen TDI engines in the US, Volkswagen has put up a website for consumers to keep up on the latest news, www.vwdieselinfo.com.
On the site, owners can get the latest information, apologies, and statements from the company. There’s a FAQ’s section with answers most of the common questions about the matter but it still leaves a lot unanswered, for now at least.
Volkswagen has been pretty quiet about how they will address the cars which are out there now to correct the matter, but they did issue a sweeping statement about future product plans and strategy that I think is somewhat telling.
First, for existing Volkswagen TDI models and production Volkswagen will begin offering all with their top-drawer SCR and AdBlue emissions hardware as soon as possible. Not all models around the world have offered this, but will very soon.
Second, an emphasis on all future product plans include electrification. Volkswagen says there will be a “major development thrust” here with a focus on plug-in hybrids, greater ranges, an high-volume electric vehicles.
One example of this is the new Phaeton sedan which Volkswagen says will now only be available in a 100% electric version, something that will likely become a Tesla Model S competitor. This goes along with Audi and Porsche development on electric powered top-end models.
So does this mean Volkswagen is shying away from diesels? Well I doubt they’ll exit that market, but its clear that dieselgate has given them new eyes for other ways to move forward to remain competitive, but also believable.
