Head of VW in US will tell Congress he knew of emissions rigging in early 2014

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Head of VW in US will tell Congress he knew of emissions rigging in early 2014

Jana Kasperkevic in New York
Thursday 8 October 2015 00.51 BST

Michael Horn, president and CEO of Volkswagen (VW) Group of America, will confirm he knew of the company’s emission rigging issues as early as spring 2014, according to a statement released ahead of a congressional inquiry.

In prepared remarks before what looks set to be an intense public hearing on Thursday, Horn will apologize once again for VW’s use of software to “defeat the regular emissions testing regime”.

“In the spring of 2014 … I was told that there was a possible emissions non-compliance that could be remedied,” he will tell the House committee on energy and commerce before questioning begins.

“I was informed that EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations included various penalties for non-compliance with the emissions standards and that the agencies can conduct engineering tests which could include ‘defeat device’ testing or analysis. I was also informed that the company engineers would work with the agencies to resolve the issue.”

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/07/vw-president-ceo-congress-knew-emissions-rigging-early-2014-michael-horn

Update: VW's US boss offers 'sincere apology' to US Congress (BBC)

[Eugene]

1. VW's US boss offers 'sincere apology' to US Congress

Source: BBC

VW's US boss offers 'sincere apology' to US Congress

8 October 2015 Business

Volkswagen's US boss has made a "sincere apology" for installing "defeat devices" to cheat emissions tests on its diesel cars.

Michael Horn, chief executive of VW's US operation, said the events were "deeply troubling".

However, he said the decision to use the devices was not one made by the company's board, but by individuals.

Mr Horn said: "My understanding is that it was a couple of software engineers who put these in."

He said that three people had been suspended following the scandal, but they could not be named for legal reasons.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34475408

[Nihil]

2. Well that's bullshit for a start ...

> However, he said the decision to use the devices was not one
> made by the company's board, but by individuals.
> Mr Horn said: "My understanding is that it was a couple of software engineers
> who put these in."

Considering that the US CEO was aware of it in "Spring 2014", that means that
board level management gave at least tacit agreement to the issue (and probably
active support for the program rollout).

There is no way that "a couple of software engineers" could have just gone off
and done this as a Friday afternoon project ...

Michael Horn: You are a lying bastard who is trying to finger some low-level
scapegoat rather than admit that you took no action to change the situation
once you became aware of it.