Volkswagen cars exceed emission norms by more than nine times: Minister

Mumbai, Feb 17 The central government on Wednesday said that the on road tests of vehicles manufactured by German automobile major Volkswagen have revealed that they exceed emission norms by over nine times.

According to a minister, the tests conducted by the Automotive Research Authority of India (ARAI) at the company's factory showed that the passenger vehicles' emissions come under the regulatory limits. 

"However, the on road tests have revealed emission in excess of nine times," said Heavy Industry and Public Enterprise Minister Anant Geete at the Make in India week being held here.

The minister said that the matter has been referred to the road transport ministry, which will take necessary action as per the law. 

"We have informed the transport ministry about the factual position," the minister said.

In addition, the minister disclosed that the company plans to recall all of its cars. 

"Emission violation is happening on the road and not in the lab. They have said they want to call back all the cars," the minister informed.

Geete elaborated that the company has accepted that it has used devices to manipulate emission data in the country. Similar devices were used by the company globally.

"They have accepted that they have put such a device in the car," the minister added.

On February 4, Geete had asserted that the German carmaker has admitted its cars do not comply with India's emission norms. The union minister said action will follow after a written undertaking from the company.

"They (Volkswagen) have said that they do not comply. They are also giving this in writing. We will take further action after that," the minister had said at that time. 

"We have already asked them to recall the vehicles. When we will get a response in writing, we will propose further action." 

The German carmaker has been maintaining that its models and others sold under Skoda and Audi brands do not violate Indian emission norms. Last December, Volkswagen Group India announced a voluntary recall of all cars with EA 189 engines in India.

Thus far, the company has decided to recall 323,700 vehicles of Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen brands.

"Volkswagen Group India will implement technical updates in accordance with the timelines presented to the authorities," it said in the statement issued on December 3, 2015.

"The 2.0 litre engines will get a software update. In the 1.5 litre and 1.6 litre engines, a 'flow transformer' will be fitted in front of the air mass sensor. In addition, a software update will also be performed on these engines. The measure for the 1.2 litre engines will be announced shortly," the company said.