VW won’t be able to start selling its latest 2016 model year diesels in the US for another few months, as the EPA plans to subject the models to much more stringent tests than before.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality is the department that oversees emissions-related issues. Chris Grundler, the director of said office, confirmed for Automotive News that it will in fact be a few months before VW diesel sales can recommence.
Firstly, according to the report, VW needs to resubmit a new application for its diesel models, where it will swear its clean diesels have no nasty surprises hidden in their electronic brains or elsewhere – the automaker withdrew its previous application with the EPA to start selling its latest (2016) oil burners.
On top of this, VW also needs to justify the existence of a different software gimmick found in 2016 diesel cars – it’s not the “defeat device,” but something different that needs explaining.
Chris Grundler is quoted as having said “We don’t know if this is a defeat device. We have many questions.”
Finally, when asked to comment on the number of months VW will be out of the diesel-selling game in the US, he refused to provide a number, simply stating they “have a very strong sense of urgency to address this and we’re pressing VW very hard for answers.”
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