Volkswagen Admits to Designing Software Intended to Deceive State Emissions Testing
It was recently discovered that Volkswagen intentionally installed software capable of altering its diesel vehicles’ emissions during state-required smog tests. The affected diesel vehicles were programmed to recognize when they were being tested and would reduce their emissions to permissible levels. However, during normal operation, the vehicles produced emissions that were 40 times greater than allowable levels.
Volkswagen marketed these vehicles as “Clean Diesel,” so Consumers expected that these vehicles would have low emissions. Not only have these expectations not been met, but these consumers now own a vehicle that cannot legally be operated on the road. Since the resale of these vehicles will be difficult due to this emissions scandal, consumers are left with the limited options of awaiting a possible recall, initiating legal action against Volkswagen or the dealership from which the vehicle was purchased, or waiting for the resolution of one of the several pending class actions that have been filed in this regard. Volkswagen may also be criminally prosecuted.