VW shares plummet after being caught out.

mij

Does make me wonder what other tricks the manufacturers have been doing with the ECU's software on all cars not just diesel.

noiseboy72

Euro 6 for vans and eventually cars will also require ad blue in the UK and Europe. As it's nasty stuff that likes to eat copper and aluminium, most manufacturers are trying to make cars whereby the user does not need to top the system up and it is filled at service intervals.

VW found their tank was not large enough to do this, so their "fudge" allowed them to offer a sealed system, whereas in reality, users will need to top it up every few thousand miles.

sergiup

I honestly don't think that they're the only ones, it's ridiculous to claim that all the other manufacturers can achieve similar emissions and efficiency figures, yet VWAG are the only ones cheating...

I also thought it's a well known thing (not officially, of course) that pretty much all modern ECUs are programmed so that they present the most efficient figures in test conditions. After all, the DVLA emissions test (for example) is probably well known to the manufacturers, so they can program their cars to behave as well as possible in those particular conditions - which often has little bearing on real life usage.

From my relatively limited knowledge, what do you think happens when you remap an ECU? Those artificial restrictions are removed, and your engine is reprogrammed to work to a higher, more uniform performance. Fuel efficiency often increases, but pollution is an entirely different consideration (they also tend to feel much nicer to drive).

Now, if VW simply use a profile that presents semi-artificial figures in a certain set of situations, then this could be argued to be fine. However if their software actually monitors for certain conditions and then adjusts its parameters, that's far less of a grey area in my view, and is more of a problem. I realise that for the environment this makes no difference, but it's down to technicalities...

I'm also not convinced by the argument that petrol engines are almost as efficient as diesel engines; I get around 45-50mpg on my barge of a Citroen C5; I don't drive slow but I'm not too zealous either, but for a big car that seems pretty darn good to me! I very much doubt I'll get more than 35mpg with an equivalent petrol engine, and I don't think the maintenance costs will be that different. So yes, particulates and NOx are an issue, but aside from that why would I seriously consider a petrol engine for a car of this size or larger?

imightbewrong

Slight uptick today - seems to have found its support level - for now:

                                                                               

(green line price, blue bars volume)

imightbewrong

CEO resigns

Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn resigns - Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn resigns - BBC News

Probably so he can tick off some bucket list items items before his ten-stretch

Shares ended up up 7% on the day.

sergiup

.. And some people made a LOT of money already. I would be very surprised if this was ever about the actual pollution - full tin foil hat mode on.

Sonic67

       

                                                                       

outoftheknow

I am actually surprised he didn't pull the trigger the minute the story broke. Nobody would have confidence in the executive the second the story broke and was confirmed. I also struggle to understand why other executives such as the U.S. boss is still in a job. They all have absolute executive responsibility and cannot claim they didn't know. If they all walk the share price will steady a bit more and the new team at least can be considered to be able to make responsible decisions moving forward. All IMO of course

Sloppy Bob

Seems Herr Winterkorn will be due 2 payouts for his early exit.

€28.75 Million for his pension and another €3.2 Million for early departure.
That'll teach him.

johntheexpat

At 68 he probably wasn't long for the job anyway.  So, falling on his sword for over 30 million euros won't have hurt that much.
Unlike the damage he did to his shareholders, who will possibly never recover from his watch.
But I suppose with morals like that, he will land a nice cushy job in a the City of London to ease his boredom.