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Cape Town - Volkswagen, the world's biggest producer of passenger cars, admitted to falsifying emissions claims in its diesel model cars sold in the US.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Friday (September 18) the software deceived regulators measuring toxic emissions, adding Volkswagen could face fines of up to $18-billion as a result.
Criminal probe
Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen CEO, said: "We do not and will not tolerate violations of any kind of our internal rules or of the law."
Volkswagen will also face a criminal probe, which was confirmed by a source familiar with the matter on Tuesday (September 22), is likely to examine not only possible violations of the US Clean Air Act but also of broader statutes against wire fraud, false statements to regulators and other crimes, the lawyers said.
VW CEO resigns: 'Stunned' by misconduct
Social media reacts
As is the case with most major events, users are reacting on social media to VW's emission scandal - aptly named #dieselgate.
We've found seven of the best #dieselgate reactions:
How VW's "defeat device" works http://t.co/KBcL4VOSKj #dieselgate @reuterspictures pic.twitter.com/67h2UZl5fA
— ReutersBreakingviews (@Breakingviews) September 22, 2015#porsche #diesel not yet implicated in #dieselgate scandal. pic.twitter.com/NnKBHmR03R
— Tony Williams ? (@J500ANT) September 23, 2015Love these VW memes #dieselgate pic.twitter.com/zRTYQKG3fs
— Speedmonkey | Matt (@speedmonkeycouk) September 22, 2015That didn't take long #dieselgate #Volkswagen pic.twitter.com/GrMrX9LKvd
— David Taylor (@DaveTheCarGuy) September 22, 2015German engineering strikes again. #dieselgate pic.twitter.com/uwXZxcxDFx
— Nebelspalter (@Nebelspalter) September 22, 2015Ready for our leisurely Sunday drive #VW #TDI #dieselgate #diesel #Volkswagen pic.twitter.com/SEJ2dOxA56
— Sean Bennell (@Scorchez) September 21, 2015Just found this one. Think it was done before #dieselgate but I like it! pic.twitter.com/1eMRcv6Bzp
— Speedmonkey | Matt (@speedmonkeycouk) September 21, 2015Really clean Diesel. #VW #VWGate #Volkswagen #dieselgate pic.twitter.com/QjnYVFIzwc
— Ingo Zaborowski (@IZY_San) September 23, 2015
More on VW emissions scandal:
Not just VW: 5 major car industry scandals
Emissions scandal: Porsche head to replace VW chief?
VW chief on emissions scandal: 'We screwed up'
Seoul summons VW over emissions scandal
VW emissions scandal: What does it mean for SA?
Huge VW, Audi recall: Diesel car sales stopped
UPDATE: Huge VW, Audi recall: Billions in fines
Berlin: New emission checks from German automakers
