According to a report German SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG newspaper (01.22.16), the existence of software to distort the emissions of Volkswagen Group models of diesel engines was a “open secret”.
According to the internal investigation by the German manufacturer, many executives and employees in the German car group engine development department were aware of the existence of such software.
Indeed, the culture of secrecy would have prevailed in this department, and installation of a faker software to achieve the emission reduction targets was openly discussed in 2006.
An employee would have given warning in 2011 by preventing an officer outside the engine development department. But this leader – according to preliminary information, it would be Heinz Jakob Neusser, then responsible for developing Volkswagen -. Would not have reacted
According to the internal investigation, “rather than admit the Executive Board that he was not able [to reach emission reduction targets in the US], the department opted for a fraud. “
Until the announcement the results of the internal investigation, Volkswagen had argued that only a small number of employees were aware of the manipulations and had denied that officials were involved.
Volkswagen declined to comment this information. (REUTERS 01.22.16, AutomobilWoche, ZEIT 01.23.16, 25.01.16 ECHOES)
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