VW to extend emissions probe to Brazil

Sao Paulo, Brazil - Volkswagen's internal investigation of rigged emissions tests will extend to the one diesel-powered passenger vehicle it sells in Brazil, a senior executive said on Tuesday (Sept 29).

The automaker announced plans earlier in the day to refit up to 11 million vehicles after it admitted to programming a so-called defeat device to cheat on emissions tests for its diesel-powered cars in the United States, drawing regulatory scrutiny around the world.

Double check

Volkswagen's single diesel-powered passenger vehicle in Brazil, the Amarok, is not believed to feature the defeat device, said Antonio Megale, the automaker's head of government affairs in Brazil. The company will investigate to make sure.

Megale said at an auto industry event: "In principle, we don't have that device in Brazil, but we still need to confirm."

Brazil's environmental agency, Ibama, said on Friday it was investigating whether Volkswagen had violated domestic emissions laws, which could bring a fine of up to 50 million reais ($12.3 million).

Volkswagen has sold nearly 84 000 Amaroks in Brazil since 2010, according to dealership association Fenabrave.

Separately on Tuesday, the Latin American division of Volkswagen's MAN SE commercial trucks unit said in a statement that it was not affected by the ongoing emissions scandal and that all of its engines meet legal requirements.

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