Martin Winterkorn orders external investigation after US regulators found cars gave inaccurate data on toxic emissions

(...) half a million diesel cars that gave false emissions data, its CEO said, adding he was “deeply sorry” for the violation of US rules.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Friday the software deceived regulators measuring toxic emissions, adding that Volkswagen could face fines of up to $18bn (£11.5bn) as a result. The carmaker could face penalties of $37,500 for each car not in compliance with clean air rules. 

The EPA accused Volkswagen of using the device in 482,000 four-cyclinder Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars in the US since 2008. VW must recall all the cars, remove the defeat device and improve the cars’ NOx emissions, which creates smog and has been linked to increased asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses.

... o problema é que os alemães são pessoas; os engenhos alemães são manipulados por pessoas; as pessoas têm negócios, as pessoas querem lucros grandes com os negócios; muitas pessoas não têm escrúpulos em aldrabar para conseguir os seus fins.

E, já agora, alguém acredita que só aldrabaram os carros dos EUA?