High emission level forces Audi to suspend Q5 sales in India

Volkswagen group firm Audi has suspended sales of its Q5 SUV in India after testing agency ARAI found emission level from the model at higher-than-prescribed limit.

"We have investigated the concern regarding Audi Q5 and have identified the corrective measures. We have conducted testing of the solution in Q5 vehicles with ARAI," an Audi India spokesperson said.

During the test of the Q5 diesel model by ARAI, nitrogen oxide (NOx) level was found to be more than the stipulated level following which the company withdrew the model from its dealerships.

The spokesperson further said: "The test results (with ARAI after corrective measures) for the vehicles were observed to be well within the applicable norms. We have now initiated the process of Type Approval and expect the approval soon."

While the company did not put a timeline for the return of the Q5 to showrooms, it is expected that Audi India will start reselling the model during the festive season.

Audi is a part of Germany's Volkswagen group which last year had announced to recall 3,23,700 lakh vehicles across its three brands -- Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen -- in India after a government-ordered probe found it using diesel engines equipped with a defeat device which help cheat emission tests.