'vw Needs More Than A Year To Fix All Cars'

[Khandro]

What is the point of this 6 billion dollar (?) 'fix' ? If they remove the software, the cars will still be emitting overall the same amount of pollutants as they are now, will they not?

[Old_Geezer]

If they simply remove the software detection, yes. But this may still be low enough for some countries. Or they could have test conditions permanently on and then the lower level of pollutants will be emitted, but there must be a knock on effect on performance.

The fix is needed to put this scandal in the past so of course they are going to do it.

[Zacs-Master]

The Telegraph commented:

'It’s possible that the necessary software update will leave drivers with a car that doesn't perform as efficiently as they were told it would when they bought it.
You may face higher fuel bills as tighter controls on the car’s emissions will lower its fuel economy.'

[ubasses]

VW Statement earlier today

Most cars probably only need software reprogramming that can be done at a local service outlet, though some will need new injector systems or some rebuilding at special workshops to install larger catalytic converters, the CEO said. Replacing cars will be considered in “particular cases,” he said.

Looks like they may have to do a lot more than just remove software.

[Khandro]

Whatever they do, it would seem they can't arrive at a vehicle that has lower emissions and a similar performance and fuel consumption, or they could have done that in the first place, so the owner's are going to loose out somehow.
Left alone, at least they still have what they've got. I don't think the figures are so bad that they are below any country's emissions requirements, or are they?

[TheChair]

Well, apparently around 9,500 people die from air pollution in London alone.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/nearly-9500-people-die-each-year-in-london-because-of-air-pollution-study

So, I guess it comes down to whether you think the economy and performance of your car are more important than the lives of other people.

[ubasses]

It is because people care about the emissions and the effects on people's lives that they bought VW who were quoting figures that made them appear to be amongst the cleanest. Now they find themselves driving round in one of the highest polluters, and for a while will find them extremely difficult to sell, or at very least unable to get a decent price towards a cleaner replacement.

[Khandro]

Errr.. It's a bit off topic, the OP is about cars :0) but I find those figures impossible to substantiate.

[jno]

I imagine there will be some class lawsuits brought by people who purchased VWs on the basis of their claimed figures. VW's rivals, those who actually obeyed the law, may want some recompense as well.

[TheChair]

"Errr.. It's a bit off topic, the OP is about cars"
And there was I, thinking it was about car emissions.

[Frankieola]

Maybe worth mentioning that the levels of the gas (Nitrous oxide) concerned, Are not checked at MOT, not used for taxation purposes, and currently not even restricted by legislation in the UK.