Admitted emissions-cheat Volkswagen is set to temporarily withdraw the sale of its range 2.0-liter diesel models in the U.S. for the 2016 model year.
According to written copies of testimony acquired by the Los Angeles Times, VW's North American CEO Michael Horn plans to announce the move before Congress on Thursday. Horn will also reportedly apologize to Congress for "Volkswagen's use of a program that served to defeat" emissions tests.
A VW representative was quick to point out that, while the company has indeed withdrawn its application to sell 2.0-liter diesel turbo direct injected (TDI) models in the U.S., the move is temporary. "We are still working with the agencies to continue the certification process," the representative added.
The temporary withdrawal of the company's application to sell its 2.0 TDIs from the U.S. does not include the brand's 3.0-liter TDI models, as they were not implicated by so-called dieselgate.
While the move might seem shocking to some, it was already a foregone conclusion. After all, the EPA refused to certify the company's TDI models for sale in the U.S. earlier this year in light of emissions concerns. And it was the refusal to certify VW's 2016 diesel models that led the world's largest automaker to admit it had cheated emissions tests.
The question that remains unanswered is what exactly VW will do to fix the affected TDI models, which include several brands and as many as six model years.
A proposed software fix would be the cheapest option, however, it would slash engine power output and efficiency. Another alternative is retrofitting the vehicles with exhaust treatment systems that could bring emissions to legal levels, however, this could cost roughly $3,000 per car. The last and most costly option, but one that would save most face with customers, would be a buy-back program in which VW would give customers new cars or simply buy the affected model from them.
Until a decision is made, current VW diesel owners will just have to wait. And until a fix is chosen, VW seems it won't even try to sell the affected cars.
Correction: This post has been updated to correct VW's plans for its 2016 2.0-liter diesel engine cars. The company is not canceling its application to sell all diesel cars in the U.S. as previously reported by the Los Angeles Times, but rather doing so temporarily and only for its 2.0-liter diesel engine cars.
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