“VW must immediately initiate discussions with ARB to discuss the testing results that appear to confirm the presence of a defeat device in the GVGAJ03.0NU4, EADXT03.02UG and FPRXT03.0CDD Test Groups and the implications on other 3.0 liter diesel product lines. VW must ensure that the appropriate Audi and Porsche AG management and engineering staff are made available for these discussions. VW must contact ARB within 72 hours of receipt of this letter to arrange an initial meeting to discuss the data results. VW will be expected to take the appropriate corrective action to rectify the emissions non-compliance and return these vehicles to the claimed certified configuration. ARB program and enforcement staff is prepared to work closely with VW to find corrective actions to bring these vehicles into compliance.”
Volkswagen Group should not be surprised that California Air Resources Board (CARB) sent this letter to them after CARB tested the rest of the Volkswagen Group and the engines. On September 24th, 2015, Dave Clegern, spokesperson for CARB told Driving the Nation that CARB explains Volkswagen diesel non-compliance.
It gets worse. According to the letter sent to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Porsche AG, Porsche Cars North America, and Volkswagen Group of America, Incorporated, saying, “The purpose of this letter is to inform WJ that ARB has conducted defeat device screening and certification testing on an Audi A6 Model of the 2016 Test Group GVGAJ03.0NU4 and a 2014 Volkswagen Touareg model of Audi Test Group EADXT03.02UG. ARB tested these two models using non-traditional defeat device screening cycles and it shows that both these Test Groups are demonstrating the same type of emissions behaviors as those in which WJ has admitted defeat devices exist. The Touareg has also failed a Federal Test Procedure certification test for oxides of nitrogen. These activities corroborate testing conducted by U.S. EPA and Environment Canada on a 2014 WJ Touareg (Test Group EADXT03.02UG) and a 2015 Porsche Cayenne (Test Group FPRXT03.0CDD), respectively. This testing has also yielded evidence of a defeat device. If this issue exists across all 2014-2016 test groups represented by these vehicles, approximately 1600 vehicles could be impacted in California.”
In the letter sent to Volkswagen CARB makes it pretty clear that they are very disappointed and felt that Volkswagen should have come clean, “ARB is very disappointed with this development as VW (along with all the other manufacturers) was alerted on September 25, 2015, (ARB’s Letter Reference No. IUC- 2015-008) that ARB would be immediately conducting defeat device testing. As you are well aware, a defeat device was neither described nor justified in the certification applications for the 3.0 liter diesel test groups submitted to U.S. EPA and ARB. Therefore, each vehicle so equipped would not be covered by a valid Certificate of Conformity or Executive Order and would be in violation of federal and state law.”
