The Los Angeles Times is reporting that German automaker Volkswagen added programming to the ECUs of a half million diesel vehicles, with the express purpose of cheating on U.S. emissions tests. In a show of cynicism that would even make your bitter uncle blush, VW engineered their engine management software to detect when a typical emissions test was being run, and drastically (and temporarily) reduce emissions for the test. In normal driving, the VW/Audi “Clean Diesels” belch out 40 times allowable NO emissions.
Massive fines are clearly in the offing for VW, as well as a public relations disaster that could harm the market for diesel cars for decades. Additionally, there can be no doubt that the resale values of effected vehicles will plummet, as the environmentally conscious ditch their Teutonic polluters for hybrids. Can you say diminished value?
* * UPDATE * *
The “clean diesel” link above is now returning a predictable “404” error, as VW apparently thought better than to leave it hanging in the breezes of the Interwebz. However, thanks to the Wayback Machine, the page can be enjoyed in its full glory RIGHT HERE.
