"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, now they must make amends."
Janis Joplin (modified)
You must see this Porsche Cayenne commercial from 2007:
https://vimeo.com/1713136
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/02/vw-emissions-scandal-widens-to-include-porsche-claims-epa
VW emissions scandal widens to include Porsche claims
US Environmental Protection Agency claims carmaker installed defeat
devices in vehicles with three-litre engines between 2014 and 2016
The Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal has deepened after US
authorities accused the carmaker of installing defeat devices into
luxury sports cars including Porsches.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which uncovered the initial
emissions rigging at VW, claims the carmaker installed defeat devices in
VW, Audi and Porsche vehicles with three-litre engines in models with
dates ranging from 2014 to 2016.
This marks the first time that Porsche, which is owned by VW, has been
dragged into the scandal. It is troubling for the new chief executive of
VW, Matthias Müller, because he ran Porsche before becoming boss of the
group.
The EPA has made the allegations after conducting further tests on
diesel vehicles in the US since VW admitted in September it had used
defeat devices to cheat emissions tests.
The new allegations include the 2015 Porsche Cayenne as well as the 2014
VW Touareg and the 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L, and Q5. In
total, it involves 10,000 vehicles in the US.
In a statement VW denied it had fitted any devices on the vehicles. The
statement said: “Volkswagen AG wishes to emphasise that no software has
been installed in the 3-liter V6 diesel power units to alter emissions
characteristics in a forbidden manner. Volkswagen will cooperate fully
with the EPA clarify this matter in its entirety.”
VW has already admitted fitting a defeat device to 11m vehicles
worldwide, but this related to cars with smaller engines and did not
include any Porsche cars or sports utility vehicles (SUVs).
Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the office for EPA’s
enforcement and compliance assurance, said: “VW has once again failed
its obligation to comply with the law that protects clean air for all
Americans. All companies should be playing by the same rules. EPA, with
our state, and federal partners, will continue to investigate these
serious matters, to secure the benefits of the Clean Air Act, ensure a
level playing field for responsible businesses, and to ensure consumers
get the environmental performance they expect.”
The EPA has issued a second notice of violation (NOV) of the Clean Air
Act to VW as a result of its findings. VW faces fines of up to $37,500
per vehicle, which means an extra $375m (£243m) could be added to its
penalities if it is found guilty. The company already faces a potential
$18bn fine for the initial recall by the EPA in September of 482,000 VW
and Audi cars.
Richard Corey, executive officer of the California Air Resources Board,
said: “On 25 September, the California Air Resources Board sent letters
to all manufacturers letting them know we would be screening vehicles
for potential defeat devices. Since then ARB, EPA and Environment Canada
have continued test programmes on additional diesel-powered passenger
cars and SUVs. These tests have raised serious concerns about the
presence of defeat devices on additional VW, Audi and Porsche vehicles.
“Today we are requiring VW Group to address these issues. This is a very
serious public health matter. ARB and EPA will continue to conduct a
rigorous investigation that includes testing more vehicles until all of
the facts are out in the open.”
The carmaker has put aside €6.7bn (£4.4bn) to meet the costs of
recalling the 11m vehicles, but also faces the threat of fines and legal
action from shareholders and customers.
The company has hired the accountancy firm Deloitte and the law firm
Jones Day to investigate who fitted the device into its vehicles. It is
understood that the carmaker believes a group of between 10 and 20
employees were at the heart of the scandal.
Martin Winterkorn stepped down as chief executive of VW as a result of
the scandal. His replacement, Müller, last week vowed to be “ruthless in
punishing those involved”, adding: “We are leaving no stone unturned to
find out what exactly happened and to make sure nothing like this ever
happens again.”
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