Following the fallout from cheating on emissions tests with the U.S. EPA, Volkswagen has issued a stop-sale of diesel vehicles in Canada.
In an email exchange with the CBC today, Volkswagen Canada spokesman Thomas Tetzlaff says the company “has stopped sales of many of its diesel models” after the EPA found the German automaker had programmed software in diesel vehicles to activate emissions controls that wouldn’t be otherwise activated during normal driving situations.
So far, approximately 485,000 Beetle, Golf, Jetta, Passat and Audi A3 models equipped with Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine have been affected by the scandal. The EPA has found Volkswagen’s diesel cars emit up to 40 times more nitrogen oxide (NOx) than national standards.
Volkswagen could be facing a US$18 billion fine from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Touareg, which is available with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, is unaffected for the time being.
Aside from the stop-sale, the impact of Volkswagen’s so-called ‘dieselgate’ on Canada has yet to be determined. Last week, Environment Canada told the CBC it was working with the EPA “to further examine this issue and assess potential implications for Canada.”
Though the scandal is arguably a major betrayal of trust – for which Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is “deeply sorry” – the cars are still legal to drive.
