California rejects VW's recall plan
Try again Volkswagen.
California isn't happy with Volkswagen recall proposal for its emissions-cheating diesel vehicles. Today the state rejected the automakers plan saying it "contained gaps and lacked sufficient detail," lacked "enough information for technical evaluation" and does "not adequately address the overall impacts on vehicle performance, emissions and safety." So it's back to the drawing board for the company.
CARB (California Air Resources Board) chair Mary D. Nichols didn't mince words in today's release, "Volkswagen made a decision to cheat on emissions tests and then tried to cover it up. They continued and compounded the lie and when they were caught they tried to deny it. The result is thousands of tons of nitrogen oxide that have harmed the health of Californians." Nichols continued, "they need to make it right. Today's action is a step in the direction of assuring that will happen."
Today's rejection concerns VW's 2.0L diesel engines and not the 3.0L engines. The proposal for the 3.0L engines is due in February. CARB will continue to talk with VW about the issue to figure out a way to come to a solution that the state feels "protects the environment, public health and consumers."
Volkswagen gave Engadget the following statement:
Today's announcement addresses the initial recall plans Volkswagen submitted to CARB in December. Since then, Volkswagen has had constructive discussions with CARB, including last week when we discussed a framework to remediate the TDI emissions issue.
This week, we have been working with Kenneth Feinberg to develop a swift, fair and independent program, which will provide a comprehensive remedy for our customers.
Volkswagen is committed to working cooperatively with CARB and other regulators, and we plan to continue our discussions tomorrow when we meet with the EPA.
As stated today by CARB, "Today's actions do not preclude a recall, but allow for a broader array of potential remedies."
