VW CEO Müller: Why VW preferred its US customers – Handelsblatt

Volkswagen

VW must reappraise the exhaust scandal

(Photo: AP)

Wolfsburg VW CEO Matthias Mueller has warned of drastic consequences if the carmaker in the exhaust scandal should compensate the customers in Europe on the US model , Volkswagen had been returned EUR 16.2 billion to resolve the crisis and is still solidly financed. “But you have to be a mathematician to realize that compensation payment of any amount would overwhelm even Volkswagen”, Müller said the “Welt am Sonntag”.

In the US, VW had in the last week after months of negotiations reached an agreement with US authorities and applicants. Thus Volkswagen is expected to cost the exhaust affair in the US up to 15 billion dollars. An appropriate package provides buybacks, compensation and punishment. So VW wants US customers (4600 euros) paid with rigged cars at least $ 5,100 compensation. The owners could choose whether VW will buy back or convert their cars. The scheme is not yet final, a judge must still approve

In the US, around 500 000 cars are from the exhaust manipulations in diesel vehicles affected -. World but eleven million vehicles, of which 2.4 million in Germany. The exhaust scandal had VW plunged into a serious crisis. 2015 recorded the carmaker its biggest loss in the Group’s history

New trouble comes to VW from the side of a major customer. The Fish Company German Lake is planning a multi-million dollar lawsuit for fraudulent misrepresentation. The SME alleges that the carmaker to have not complied with agreements for joint sustainability projects. The German lake is VW major client and had completely changed over its 450 strong car fleet to VW Group vehicles around six years ago. A VW Group spokesman said on Sunday on request: “Since we have not given such an action, we can to not comment.”

It’s about VW and MAN Nutzfahrzeuge and Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Audi , The agreement had also constitutes work together on practical examples of environmentally friendly logistics. The managing partner of Deutsche See, Egbert Miebach, Deutsche Presse-Agentur said: “We are deeply disappointed by VW and feel put off us and cheated, because the common angedachte partnership has been respected in the field of sustainability only from our side. Talks to change this have been blocked by pages VW. “

Müller leaned again from a required about by consumer protection compensation scheme as in the US for the rest of affected customers. He pointed to a different situation. “The limits are in the United States much more stringent, so that is also retrofitting complicated.” In addition, the participation in a product recall in the US is voluntary -. Unlike, say, in Germany

engines, models and brands in the VW exhaust scandal

• According to VW, the diesel engine with the designation EA 189 heart of the problem. It was used in several brands, meets the EU Euro 5 emissions standard and is available with 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 liter displacement. Affected by the nitrogen oxide scandal are the model years 2009 to 2014.

• starting 29 February supposed the recall of large 2 calling, 0-liter drives with variants of the Passat and Audi A4, previously had started the action for the Amarok pickup. For the A4 with manual gearbox there – as well as for the A5 and Q5 as well as the Seat Exeo with the same engine – already the approval of the Federal Motor Vehicle Office. For Passat, CC and Eos it is now also available.

• the small 1.2-liter engine VW had in a customer letter initially announced a start of the workshop actions from 30. May. This part will “start delayed” but only, it was now. The medium-sized 1.6-liter engines should return according to existing plans, from September 5, this in addition to a software update, a component to be used. In the USA, 3.0-liter TDI cars are on the road, which contain a prohibited under US law program.

• at the core VW brand cars including the sixth generation Golf, the Passat the seventh generation and the Tiguan the first generation are concerned.

• the software is also in models of series A1, A3, A4 and A6 and Q3 and Q5 of the luxury subsidiary Audi.

• diesel engines, which were used in Skoda and seat, are also within the exhaust scandal. In the light VW commercial vehicles older issues of the Caddy and Amarok are affected. The illegal in the US software of 3-liter diesel found in the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne and the Audi models Q5, Q7, A6, A7 and A8.
  

• VW CEO Matthias Müller stated last October that around 5 million automobiles the main VW brand cars are affected by the affair world. In addition, about 2.1 million Audis, 1.2 million Skoda, 700,000 seats and 1.8 million light commercial vehicles.

the authorities in the United States expected also that as many vehicle owners convert their cars, Muller told the newspaper. “We will give our customers an incentive to participate in the conversion with the premium in the United States.” This 1: 1 to compare about the situation in Germany, was not possible. “And what would it mean not least economically for our company if we would do that but, I probably do not carry on.”

The VW CEO also spoke about the new Group strategy. VW wants to expand electromobility massive and also investing billions in new mobility services such as car sharing, and connected cars. The car industry is considering alternative drives and the digital revolution with growing Internet in the vehicle in a profound change.

Mueller said, the industry will only be successful in the future, “if we rejuvenate us.” You must also always be progressive, as in Silicon Valley. “Maybe a little contemporary comfort we Germans are due to the many successes that the country had in the past 50 years, become what then led to risk aversion. That drives me. In contrast, I am working on. “