Evidence emerges of more VW cheat devices: Report

THE emissions scandal embroiling Volkswagen is a long way from over, with reports emerging from the United States that the company may have had as many as four different test-defeating devices installed on different engine types.

Two versions of the EA189 four-cylinder diesel – the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre – are known to have various types of defeat hardware and software installed, depending on the generation of engine.

According to reports from Reuters, it now appears likely that the EA288 diesel family – a direct descendant of the EA189, sharing critical dimensions including capacities, cylinder spacing as well as bore and stroke ratio – has been fitted with the defeat devices in certain markets.

The EA288 is used in a wide array of vehicles including the Golf, Polo, Tiguan and more. Volkswagen claims that Euro 6-compliant engines are not part of the issue, and EA288 diesels are sold in Australia as a Euro 6 engine.

The company has brought in Daimler’s former head of compliance and a former German judge, Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, to a new management board position for integrity and legal affairs starting on January 1 next year.

Her appointment was given the green-light by Daimler chairman Manfred Bischoff, after a direct request from new VW chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch. Daimler said it agreed to the request “in the interest of good corporate governance” of the German industry.

Dr Hohmann-Dennhardt was the first female management board member in Daimler’s history.

Meanwhile, former head of Volkswagen AG, Martin Winterkorn, has resigned from his position as the head of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, the family-owned company that holds a majority stake in Volkswagen.

Wolfgang Porsche, chairman of the supervisory board of Porsche SE, thanked Mr Winterkorn for the successful work in previous years.

“Doctor Winterkorn assumed office as chairman of the executive board of Porsche SE in a difficult situation,” he said in a statement.

“He played a significant role in transforming our company into a highly professional investment holding. I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the entire supervisory board.“ Mr Poetsch will succeed Mr Winterkorn from November 1, who still holds several prominent roles within the group, including chairman of Audi and Scania.

The ongoing emissions scandal at Volkswagen involves some 11 million cars worldwide, include almost 100,000 vehicles in Australia. Volkswagen Group Australia and Audi Australia have both announced voluntary recalls of affected vehicles, although Volkswagen AG will not commence reparation work on affected vehicles until January 2016.