Emission scandal: Volkswagen to recall 3.23 lakh cars in India

VW has already admitted that 11 million diesel engine cars worldwide were fitted with the software that helped in manipulating emission tests.

German auto major Volkswagen will recall 323,000 vehicles in India after a government-ordered probe found the company using diesel engines equipped with a defeat device which help cheat emission tests, as it had done in the US and other global markets.

"The company will voluntarily recall 3.23 lakh vehicles which have been fitted with the E189 engines that are equipped with defeat device," a senior government official said.

A meeting was held between the company executives and officials of the Department of Heavy Industries on Tuesday after the submission of report by apex automotive testing agency ARAI.

The Automotive Research Association of India found that diesel cars manufactured in India by Volkswagen having E189 engine were fitted with the ‘defeat device’, which may lead to excess nitrogen oxide emission levels in on-road vehicles.

Company officials who attended the meeting declined to comment but said a statement would be issued.    

VW has already admitted that 11 million diesel engine cars worldwide were fitted with the software that helped in manipulating emission tests.

It faces fine of up to $18 billion in the US.

Automobile manufacturers have been recalling vehicles on safety issues since industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers initiated a voluntary policy in July 2012.

Till now over 13.25 lakh (1.32 million) vehicles have been recalled by various manufacturers in India so far.

Image: Volkswagen Polo cars. Photograph: Reuters