It looks like affected Volkswagen owners in Canada may have to wait several more months — at least — before their vehicles are repaired.
Volkswagen said Wednesday it will likely commence in January a massive global recall to replace software and or equipment in several diesel models designed to cheat emissions tests, tens of thousands of which have been sold in Canada since 2009.
MORE: Complete coverage — VW emissions scandal
The recall will begin in the new year once German authorities have approved the company’s plans, a spokesman said, according to the Wall Street Journal. The confirmation was made after remarks by VW’s new chief executive, Matthias Müller, in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.
Volkswagen said last month, as the scandal was first coming to light, the number of vehicles containing the EA 189 diesel engine and corresponding technology designed to cheat emissions tests topped 11 million worldwide.
Canadian comment
The recall is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. When reached for comment, a Canadian spokesperson for Volkswagen couldn’t confirm whether VW’s or Mr. Müller’s comments made overnight applied to Canada.
“I have received no official documentation to confirm or deny the statements they have made,” Thomas Tetzlaff, VW Canada’s spokesman, said in an email message.
A software update would be sufficient for most cars, VW’s CEO told the newspaper, but other vehicles would require new fuel injection equipment and catalytic converters.
WATCH: The chairman of the board of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand says the company is confident it can fix the software in some of the engines involved in the emissions-rigging scandal.
Comments