Volkswagen CEO Matthias Muller has personally assured Maltese authorities that new models on sale in Malta have not been affected by the emissions scandal, this newspaper has learnt.
The CEO of the German car manufacturing giant communicated this news a few days ago in a letter to Transport Minister Joe Mizzi that has been seen by this newspaper.
Last September the German car giant admitted that some 11 million diesel cars worldwide had been fitted with a software device which cheated emission tests, especially nitrogen oxide pollutants.
VW then launched an investigation into ‘irregularities’ in tests to measure carbon dioxide emissions . Initially it was thought that some 800,000 cars in Europe including petrol vehicles could be affected.
However, from the results of this probe, which were communicated to the media a few days ago, this number was cut down to 36,000 cars.
In his letter to Mr Mizzi, the VW CEO gave no figures but made reference to “extensive internal tests and controls” conducted by the Group. Mr Muller stressed that these tests were in line with those commonly used in the industry and complied with international standards.
Slight deviations have been detected in nine model variants
“The suspicion that unlawful alterations might have been made to the data regarding CO2 emissions and consumption for current production vehicles has thus not been confirmed by the information we now have,” the Volkswagen chief said.
However, he acknowledged that “slight deviations” had been detected in nine model variants, of which he made no mention. Consequently the group was already planning to re-test them by a “neutral engineering service before Christmas, under the supervision of Germany’ Federal Motor Transport Authority,” the Volkswagen CEO remarked.
He added that “if necessary the emissions data for approval would be revised within the scope of our normal processes”.
To date the number of cars on Maltese roads which could have been affected has not been released by local VW seller Continental Cars.
However, owners were offered the opportunity to carry out an online test, by submitting their chassis number. A similar service for Audi, Seat and Skoda customers which might have been equipped with VW parts, was also rolled out.