Currently reading: Audi developed 'Dieselgate' software in 1999
Report suggests Audi developed the illegal cheat software behind 'Dieselgate', years before it was adopted by VW

Audi developed cheat software to rig emissions tests as far back as 1999, which was later used by Volkswagen to cheat emissions tests, according to new findings.

The report by German newspaper Handelsblatt says that the cheat software was created to combat restrictions introduced in 2001 by European law, which aimed to limit nitrogen oxide emissions to 0.5g/km.

However, Audi did not implement the illegal software, which was instead adopted by Volkswagen in 2005 when it failed to bring nitrogen oxide levels below the legal limit.

Handelsblatt also revealed that US law firm Jones Day, which is currently investigating the Volkswagen emissions scandal, is expected to launch a full report by the end of April.

Volkswagen is also due to release details of how it plans to operate in the future by the end of this week.

Last month, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it will sue Volkswagen for misleading customers with its ‘Clean Diesel’ advertising.

The FTC said that it is seeking compensation for those affected by the emission scandal, and plans to implement an injunction to “prevent Volkswagen from engaging in this type of conduct again”.

It was also announced today that Mitsubishi had deliberately falsified fuel tests, affecting up to 625,000 cars, some of which were produced for Nissan.

Mitsubishi said that it had “conducted testing improperly to present better fuel figures". It added: “We express deep apologies to all of our customers and stakeholders for this issue”.

Cameron Tait

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ralphsmall 28 April 2016

emissions

This is mostly green garbage remove the Taxpayer subsidies and make all renewable energy competitive and see how long the companies living off taxpayers last.
405line 21 April 2016

What

I can't believe that someone would put forward such rubbish, amongst other things they are the same company...what was the reason for developing the software in the first place?
s'affrican 21 April 2016

scandals

I find it strange that focus is placed on the EMISSIONS SCANDAL, but very little on the TAKATA AIRBAG SCANDAL. surely it is far more serious that people have actually DIED with airbags not deploying!!?? nobody has died through incorrect emission data?
March1 21 April 2016

RE: scandals

Not true that nobody has died through incorrect emissions data. Around 40,000 deaths a year in the UK alone show air pollution as a contributing factor, and if the car manufacturers are not producing cleaner vehicles as they have been required by law, then they will continue to be contributing to these unnecessary deaths.
March1 21 April 2016

RE: scandals

Not true that nobody has died through incorrect emissions data. Around 40,000 deaths a year in the UK alone show air pollution as a contributing factor, and if the car manufacturers are not producing cleaner vehicles as they have been required by law, then they will continue to be contributing to these unnecessary deaths.
catnip 22 April 2016

s'affrican wrote: I find it

s'affrican wrote:

I find it strange that focus is placed on the EMISSIONS SCANDAL, but very little on the TAKATA AIRBAG SCANDAL. surely it is far more serious that people have actually DIED with airbags not deploying!!?? nobody has died through incorrect emission data?

Many manufacturers have had problems with faulty components and their consequences over the years, but I imagine those manufacturers didn't fit those items in the full knowledge that there was a problem with them. Volkswagen group, however, deliberately used emissions devices, showing, once again, that their pursuit of being No.1 was more important to them than the consequences for their customers or anyone else.