Volkswagen likely to recall 100,000 cars in India: report

The Indian unit of German auto maker Volkswagen AG is likely to recall 100,000 diesel-fuelled cars in the aftermath of the diesel emission scandal, television channel CNBC TV18 reported today.

The recall is expected after a probe by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the country's apex vehicle testing agency, found that the cars, mainly the Jetta and Passat sedans, were fitted with the same ''defeat device'' used to cheat on emission tests globally.

The recall, expected to happen before 8 November, would mostly affect cars fitted with engines that have been imported and would also include 20,000 diesel vehicles made in the country, the television channel reported.

This would impact Vento, Jetta and Passat sedan cars, Polo hatchback and Polo Cross crossover in India, said CNBC-TV18.

Volkswagen India, however, said the company is still investigating the matter and any decision on a recall is yet to be made.

Mint on 25 September reported that the government has written to ARAI to evaluate Volkswagen cars and check if the automobile maker used the device to fudge data in India.

Volkswagen, Europe's biggest carmaker, which has admitted to cheating in emissions tests on around 11 million diesel vehicles globally, is facing the biggest business crisis in its 78-year history.

Volkswagen reported its first quarterly loss in at least 15 years following the scandal and the automaker forced out its long-time chief executive.

The company representatives met senior officials of the ministry of heavy industries and ARAI on Thursday and have updated them on the evaluation so far on the ongoing emission issue with reference to India.

"Since there is a complex combination of several brands, various models, different engine variants and gearboxes as well as different model years that need to be analysed, establishing detailed facts is taking a longer time," said a statement from Volkswagen Group India.

The company said, it will present its results from the evaluations by the end of November 2015 and during the interim, the company representatives will stay in regular touch with ARAI to keep the authorities updated on the analysis.

"The next steps will depend on the findings from these evaluations. Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group India would like to assure that all vehicles in the customers' hands remain technically safe and roadworthy," added the statement.