Volkswagen to recall 8.5 million diesel vehicles in Europe after Germany rejects plan.
The Washington Post reports that Volkswagen “will embark on one of the biggest recalls in European automotive history, affecting 8.5 million diesel vehicles, after German authorities threw out the carmaker’s proposal for voluntary repairs.” The German Federal Motor Transport Authority “demanded a recall of 2.4 million cars in Germany after reviewing proposals Volkswagen filed last week to fix vehicles fitted with software designed to cheat on pollution tests,” it was announced on Thursday.
The New York Times says that while “a broad recall has been expected, the move reflects the difficulty that Volkswagen faces in fixing the 11 million vehicles worldwide that contain a so-called defeat device, which effectively lowered emissions for testing purposes.” Volkswagen “is indicating that the repairs may stretch beyond the end of 2016.”
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that new Volkswagen CEO Matthais Mueller said that his company can rebound from the current scandal. Speaking to company managers, Mueller said, “We have a good chance of shining again in two to three years.”
Reuters reports that Volkswagen has suspended Falko Rudolph, the head of one of its main transmission plants, as it continues to investigate the diesel issue. Rudolph oversaw the development of diesel engines between 2006 and 2010.
Kia recalls Sorentos due to roll-away risk.
Citing documents Kia posted yesterday on the NHTSA’s website, the New York Times reports that the carmaker is recalling 377,000 Sorentos, model year 2011 to 2013, due to a roll-away risk. According to the article, Kia said that the affected vehicles “can roll away unexpectedly because the transmission can be moved out of park without applying the brakes.” Kia said it received several complaints about the issue, “including reports of three injuries,” the Times adds. According to the AP, Kia began investigating the problem in August and “found 54 warranty claims.” CNN Money reports online that Kia suggests as a “precaution to engage the parking brake firmly, and to make sure the gear shift is positioned securely in park.”
