Volkswagen emissions scandal spreads to 11 million vehicles worldwide
The Volkswagen emissions scandal discovered in the United States has spread to around 11 million vehicles worldwide, prompting governments from different countries to launch their own inquiries into the alleged cheating scheme.
The German car manufacturer said around 11 million vehicles all around the world are affected by the diesel-emission test cheating scandal. In the wake of the discovery, Volkswagen has prepared €6.5 billion ($7.2 billion) to cover the initial costs that may come up, according to the Irish Times.
On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Volkswagen used software to tweak toxic emissions measurement of some of its models. The company could face up to €16.1 billion ($18 billion) in penalties, the report details.
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The German carmaker confessed that it cheated the U.S. diesel vehicle emissions test by installing software in certain models that could detect an ongoing emission test. The admission suggests the emissions cheating scandal could extend beyond the United States, the Washington Post reports.
South Korea said it would examine three Volkswagen diesel models being sold in the country. Environment ministry deputy director Park Pan-kyu said their investigation could result in the recall of between 4,000 and 5,000 vehicles, the report adds.
"If South Korean authorities find problems in the VW diesel cars, the probe could be expanded to all German diesel cars," the Irish Times quotes Park.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen has denied rumors about chief executive Martin Winterkorn being replaced in connection with the emissions scandal. In fact, the company's board will hold a meeting on Friday to extend Winterkorn's term until 2018, the report relays.
The Volkswagen models affected by the emissions cheating scandal include the Audi A3, VW Jetta, Beetle, Golf, and Passat released from 2014 to 2015.
Volkswagen's U.S. head Michael Horn confessed that the German carmaker had "totally screwed up" and promised to make up for the inconvenience that the emissions cheating scandal has caused.
