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Automotive
10 min read
Areas of Expertise :
Emissions, Automotive Engineering, Regulatory Compliance, Economic Damages, Air Quality
Published Date:
Last Modified Date:
Jurisdiction:
Federal. Eastern District of Michigan
Court:
Volkswagen (VW) became the center of a major emissions controversy widely known as “Dieselgate.” After WVU/ICCT on-road testing and further regulatory investigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) determined that Volkswagen had used defeat-device software in certain diesel vehicles to alter emissions-control performance during testing. Although these vehicles met laboratory emissions standards, they emitted nitrogen oxide pollutants up to 40 times the legal limit during normal driving conditions. The issue initially affected approximately 482,000 vehicles in the United States, including the VW Jetta, Beetle, Golf, and Passat, along with the Audi A3. Volkswagen later admitted that 11 million cars worldwide were equipped with the illegal software, turning the matter into a major regulatory compliance dispute.
Volkswagen then faced significant financial, legal, and reputational consequences, including recall costs, civil settlements, penal sanctions, and compliance-monitoring obligations. Former CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned as the emissions controversy drew regulatory scrutiny and public criticism. The U.S. enforcement record later included corporate guilty pleas, individual prosecutions, a $2.8 billion penal sanction, three years of probation, and an independent corporate compliance monitor. Volkswagen also reported that the diesel emissions scandal cost the company more than €31 billion in fines and settlements worldwide. The matter remains a major example of how emissions-testing misconduct can lead to regulatory enforcement, corporate penalties, consumer settlements, and long-term compliance oversight.
The International Council on Clean Transportation worked with West Virginia University to conduct on-road and laboratory testing of diesel light-duty vehicles under typical driving conditions in the United States. WVU researchers tested diesel vehicles outside the laboratory setting and found that two Volkswagen diesel passenger vehicles emitted nitrogen oxide at levels far above U.S. emissions standards. The testing occurred in 2013, and the final report was submitted to ICCT in May 2014. Their work connected real-world driving data to regulatory questions about whether the vehicles complied with emissions requirements.
After WVU’s findings were shared through the International Council on Clean Transportation, the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted further investigations. In September 2015, both agencies notified Volkswagen that the company had violated state and federal emissions standards. The issue centered on defeat-device software used to turn off or reduce emissions-control systems while the vehicles were being driven on the road.
NPR identified Arvind Thiruvengadam as a WVU research assistant professor involved in testing diesel cars on the road. The report also identified John German from the International Council on Clean Transportation, who explained that the group commissioned the testing and later turned the data over to U.S. authorities. This event publicly connected the technical testing work to the broader regulatory review of Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles.
BBC reported that EPA findings initially covered about 482,000 cars in the United States, including the Volkswagen Jetta, Beetle, Golf, Passat, and Audi A3. Volkswagen also admitted that about 11 million cars worldwide were fitted with defeat-device software. The report explained that the software could detect testing conditions and alter vehicle performance, allowing the vehicles to produce lower emissions during laboratory testing than during ordinary road use.
James Robert Liang, a Volkswagen engineer, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, and Clean Air Act violations. His plea marked one of the first individual admissions of wrongdoing in the U.S. Volkswagen diesel emissions matter. The proceeding moved the case from regulatory investigation into individual accountability for the emissions scheme.
Volkswagen AG was charged in the Eastern District of Michigan with conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, Clean Air Act violations, obstruction issues, and entry of goods by false statements. The charges stated that Volkswagen sold approximately 590,000 diesel vehicles in the United States using defeat-device software to cheat emissions tests required by EPA and CARB.
DOJ also announced charges against six Volkswagen executives: Richard Dorenkamp, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Jens Hadler, Bernd Gottweis, Oliver Schmidt, and Jürgen Peter. Schmidt was arrested, while the other named defendants resided in Germany. The charging materials described conduct from approximately May 2006 to approximately November 2015 involving statements to regulators and customers about whether certain Volkswagen diesel vehicles complied with U.S. emissions standards.
Volkswagen pleaded guilty to conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, Clean Air Act violations, obstruction issues, and entry of goods by false statements. The plea addressed the company’s use of defeat-device software and its statements to U.S. regulators and customers. The case then moved toward sentencing, penalties, probation, and corporate oversight.
The court accepted Volkswagen’s plea agreement and ordered the company to pay a $2.8 billion penal sanction. Volkswagen also agreed to cooperate with the government’s ongoing investigation, serve three years of probation, and operate under an independent corporate compliance monitor for at least three years. DOJ materials also reference related civil settlements in the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” marketing, sales practices, and products liability litigation, with compensation to affected vehicle owners addressed through those settlements.
Oliver Schmidt pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, and Clean Air Act violations, along with one substantive Clean Air Act count. His plea followed charges connected to Volkswagen’s diesel emissions conduct in the United States. The proceeding became part of the broader U.S. enforcement record involving Volkswagen personnel.
James Liang was sentenced to 40 months of incarceration, followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $200,000 penalty. The sentence resolved his individual proceeding after his earlier guilty plea.
Oliver Schmidt was sentenced to 84 months of incarceration. He was also ordered to pay a $400,000 penalty. His sentence marked one of the largest individual outcomes in the U.S. proceedings tied to the Volkswagen emissions scheme.
James Liang applied for a prisoner treaty transfer to serve the remainder of his sentence in Germany. The DOJ notice allowed owners of affected Volkswagen vehicles to comment on the transfer request by the stated deadline. This event occurred after Liang’s sentence and related to the administration of his remaining term.
Oliver Schmidt applied for a prisoner treaty transfer to serve the remainder of his sentence in Germany. The DOJ notice provided a comment process for affected Volkswagen vehicle owners. Like Liang’s request, this development followed sentencing and concerned where the remaining sentence would be served.
IAV GmbH was charged by information with one count of conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, Volkswagen’s U.S. customers, and Clean Air Act violations. The charge concerned misleading EPA and U.S. customers about whether certain Volkswagen- and Audi-branded diesel vehicles complied with U.S. emissions standards. IAV agreed to plead guilty and pay a $35 million penalty, extending the enforcement record beyond Volkswagen itself.
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Case Name:
United States v. Volkswagen AG
Automotive Industry
Automotive Recall
Clean Air Act
Environmental Compliance
Environmental Protection Agency EPA
Portable emissions measurement system pems
Air Pollution
Consumer Protection
Automotive Electronics
Volkswagen (VW) became the center of a major emissions controversy widely known as “Dieselgate.” After WVU/ICCT on-road testing and further regulatory investigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) determined that Volkswagen had used defeat-device software in certain diesel vehicles to alter emissions-control performance during testing. Although these vehicles met laboratory emissions standards, they emitted nitrogen oxide pollutants up to 40 times the legal limit during normal driving conditions. The issue initially affected approximately 482,000 vehicles in the United States, including the VW Jetta, Beetle, Golf, and Passat, along with the Audi A3. Volkswagen later admitted that 11 million cars worldwide were equipped with the illegal software, turning the matter into a major regulatory compliance dispute.
Volkswagen then faced significant financial, legal, and reputational consequences, including recall costs, civil settlements, penal sanctions, and compliance-monitoring obligations. Former CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned as the emissions controversy drew regulatory scrutiny and public criticism. The U.S. enforcement record later included corporate guilty pleas, individual prosecutions, a $2.8 billion penal sanction, three years of probation, and an independent corporate compliance monitor. Volkswagen also reported that the diesel emissions scandal cost the company more than €31 billion in fines and settlements worldwide. The matter remains a major example of how emissions-testing misconduct can lead to regulatory enforcement, corporate penalties, consumer settlements, and long-term compliance oversight.
The International Council on Clean Transportation worked with West Virginia University to conduct on-road and laboratory testing of diesel light-duty vehicles under typical driving conditions in the United States. WVU researchers tested diesel vehicles outside the laboratory setting and found that two Volkswagen diesel passenger vehicles emitted nitrogen oxide at levels far above U.S. emissions standards. The testing occurred in 2013, and the final report was submitted to ICCT in May 2014. Their work connected real-world driving data to regulatory questions about whether the vehicles complied with emissions requirements.
After WVU’s findings were shared through the International Council on Clean Transportation, the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted further investigations. In September 2015, both agencies notified Volkswagen that the company had violated state and federal emissions standards. The issue centered on defeat-device software used to turn off or reduce emissions-control systems while the vehicles were being driven on the road.
NPR identified Arvind Thiruvengadam as a WVU research assistant professor involved in testing diesel cars on the road. The report also identified John German from the International Council on Clean Transportation, who explained that the group commissioned the testing and later turned the data over to U.S. authorities. This event publicly connected the technical testing work to the broader regulatory review of Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles.
BBC reported that EPA findings initially covered about 482,000 cars in the United States, including the Volkswagen Jetta, Beetle, Golf, Passat, and Audi A3. Volkswagen also admitted that about 11 million cars worldwide were fitted with defeat-device software. The report explained that the software could detect testing conditions and alter vehicle performance, allowing the vehicles to produce lower emissions during laboratory testing than during ordinary road use.
James Robert Liang, a Volkswagen engineer, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, and Clean Air Act violations. His plea marked one of the first individual admissions of wrongdoing in the U.S. Volkswagen diesel emissions matter. The proceeding moved the case from regulatory investigation into individual accountability for the emissions scheme.
Volkswagen AG was charged in the Eastern District of Michigan with conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, Clean Air Act violations, obstruction issues, and entry of goods by false statements. The charges stated that Volkswagen sold approximately 590,000 diesel vehicles in the United States using defeat-device software to cheat emissions tests required by EPA and CARB.
DOJ also announced charges against six Volkswagen executives: Richard Dorenkamp, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Jens Hadler, Bernd Gottweis, Oliver Schmidt, and Jürgen Peter. Schmidt was arrested, while the other named defendants resided in Germany. The charging materials described conduct from approximately May 2006 to approximately November 2015 involving statements to regulators and customers about whether certain Volkswagen diesel vehicles complied with U.S. emissions standards.
Volkswagen pleaded guilty to conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, Clean Air Act violations, obstruction issues, and entry of goods by false statements. The plea addressed the company’s use of defeat-device software and its statements to U.S. regulators and customers. The case then moved toward sentencing, penalties, probation, and corporate oversight.
The court accepted Volkswagen’s plea agreement and ordered the company to pay a $2.8 billion penal sanction. Volkswagen also agreed to cooperate with the government’s ongoing investigation, serve three years of probation, and operate under an independent corporate compliance monitor for at least three years. DOJ materials also reference related civil settlements in the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” marketing, sales practices, and products liability litigation, with compensation to affected vehicle owners addressed through those settlements.
Oliver Schmidt pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, wire fraud, and Clean Air Act violations, along with one substantive Clean Air Act count. His plea followed charges connected to Volkswagen’s diesel emissions conduct in the United States. The proceeding became part of the broader U.S. enforcement record involving Volkswagen personnel.
James Liang was sentenced to 40 months of incarceration, followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $200,000 penalty. The sentence resolved his individual proceeding after his earlier guilty plea.
Oliver Schmidt was sentenced to 84 months of incarceration. He was also ordered to pay a $400,000 penalty. His sentence marked one of the largest individual outcomes in the U.S. proceedings tied to the Volkswagen emissions scheme.
James Liang applied for a prisoner treaty transfer to serve the remainder of his sentence in Germany. The DOJ notice allowed owners of affected Volkswagen vehicles to comment on the transfer request by the stated deadline. This event occurred after Liang’s sentence and related to the administration of his remaining term.
Oliver Schmidt applied for a prisoner treaty transfer to serve the remainder of his sentence in Germany. The DOJ notice provided a comment process for affected Volkswagen vehicle owners. Like Liang’s request, this development followed sentencing and concerned where the remaining sentence would be served.
IAV GmbH was charged by information with one count of conspiracy tied to defrauding the United States, Volkswagen’s U.S. customers, and Clean Air Act violations. The charge concerned misleading EPA and U.S. customers about whether certain Volkswagen- and Audi-branded diesel vehicles complied with U.S. emissions standards. IAV agreed to plead guilty and pay a $35 million penalty, extending the enforcement record beyond Volkswagen itself.
Emissions Testing Expert Witness (Neutral Technical Research Role)
WVU researchers were publicly identified as conducting on-road emissions testing of diesel vehicles connected to the Volkswagen emissions issue. Their work involved testing diesel vehicles under real-world driving conditions and identifying elevated nitrogen oxide emissions from Volkswagen diesel vehicles. The findings were reported through the International Council on Clean Transportation and later reviewed as part of the regulatory investigation.
Automotive Engineering and Emissions-Control Expert Witness (Neutral Technical Research Role)
WVU engineering researchers were publicly identified in connection with diesel-vehicle testing, emissions measurement, diesel engine systems, and emissions-control performance. Their work involved technical testing tied to how Volkswagen diesel vehicles performed under real-world driving conditions compared with emissions standards. The publicly disclosed materials connect this engineering work to the broader regulatory review of Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles.
Regulatory Compliance Expert Witness
A regulatory compliance expert is often engaged in emissions-related disputes to explain the rules, testing duties, certification requirements, and reporting obligations that apply to manufacturers. In vehicle-emissions matters, this expert may review whether testing procedures, software disclosures, and regulator communications aligned with applicable environmental standards. The expert may also evaluate compliance programs, oversight measures, and corrective steps required after regulatory violations are found.
Consumer Protection and Economic Damages Expert Witness
A consumer protection and economic damages expert is often engaged when vehicle owners, buyers, or investors claim financial losses tied to alleged misrepresentations or regulatory noncompliance. In automotive emissions disputes, this expert may evaluate vehicle value, repair or buyback issues, consumer payment models, market effects, and settlement-related economic impact. The expert may also assess whether alleged conduct affected consumer decisions, resale value, or broader business losses.
Use Real-World Testing to Challenge Laboratory-Based Compliance Claims
Volkswagen Dieselgate shows how on-road emissions testing can reveal gaps that standard laboratory testing may miss. Attorneys handling emissions, product liability, or regulatory compliance disputes should examine whether testing conditions reflect actual product use. In this matter, WVU’s on-road testing and ICCT’s involvement helped move the emissions issue toward EPA and CARB review.
Connect Technical Evidence to Regulatory Duties
The legal record centered on defeat-device software, emissions-control performance, EPA and CARB testing requirements, and manufacturer statements to regulators. Attorneys should connect technical findings to specific duties, including certification, disclosure, reporting, and compliance obligations. This approach translates engineering evidence into issues that courts, agencies, and settlement negotiators can evaluate.
Treat Software-Driven Product Conduct as a Core Evidence Issue
The Volkswagen proceedings involved software that affected how diesel vehicles performed during emissions testing compared with normal driving. In disputes involving regulated products, attorneys should consider source code, calibration records, internal testing data, and communications about software functions. These materials may help establish how a product behaved, what the company knew, and how compliance decisions were made.
Build Regulatory Compliance Evidence Beyond the Initial Violation
Volkswagen’s U.S. resolution included a $2.8 billion penalty, probation, cooperation duties, and an independent corporate compliance monitor. For attorneys, the post-resolution compliance record can carry significant weight alongside the original misconduct allegations. Corrective actions, monitoring terms, reporting obligations, and agency oversight may affect settlement structure, remediation duties, and future risk management.
Distinguish Public Research Findings from Formal Litigation Records
The reviewed materials publicly identify WVU researchers in connection with on-road emissions testing, while DOJ materials document the later enforcement record involving Volkswagen, individual defendants, penalties, probation, and compliance oversight. Attorneys should separate technical research findings, agency determinations, charging materials, plea records, and settlement terms when presenting the timeline. Clear distinctions help preserve accuracy and avoid overstating what each source establishes.
Volkswagen Dieselgate moved from WVU/ICCT on-road emissions testing to EPA and CARB enforcement, federal charges, corporate guilty pleas, individual prosecutions, civil settlements, a $2.8 billion penalty, probation, and independent compliance monitoring. The record shows how defeat-device software, emissions-control performance, regulator communications, and manufacturer certification duties became central to the legal outcome. For attorneys, the matter shows the value of connecting technical testing evidence with regulatory compliance duties, software-driven product conduct, consumer loss claims, and post-resolution oversight without overstating publicly disclosed expert roles.
What was the Volkswagen Dieselgate emissions issue?
Volkswagen Dieselgate involved defeat-device software installed in certain diesel vehicles to alter emissions-control performance during regulatory testing. The vehicles met laboratory standards but emitted nitrogen oxide pollutants up to 40 times the legal limit during normal driving conditions.
Which Volkswagen and Audi vehicles were initially affected in the United States?
EPA findings initially covered approximately 482,000 diesel vehicles in the United States. Reported models included the Volkswagen Jetta, Beetle, Golf, and Passat, along with the Audi A3.
How did WVU and ICCT testing lead to regulatory review?
The International Council on Clean Transportation worked with West Virginia University to test diesel light-duty vehicles under real-world driving conditions. The testing found that two Volkswagen diesel passenger vehicles emitted nitrogen oxide at levels far above U.S. emissions standards, leading to further EPA and CARB review.
What role did EPA and CARB play in Volkswagen Dieselgate?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board investigated the emissions findings and notified Volkswagen in September 2015 that the company had violated state and federal emissions standards. Their review focused on whether Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles complied with emissions-certification requirements, testing duties, and regulatory disclosure obligations.
What penalties and compliance obligations did Volkswagen face in the United States?
Volkswagen pleaded guilty to federal emissions-related charges and was ordered to pay a $2.8 billion penalty. The company also agreed to three years of probation, cooperation duties, and oversight by an independent corporate compliance monitor for at least three years.
Emissions Testing Expert Witness (Neutral Technical Research Role)
WVU researchers were publicly identified as conducting on-road emissions testing of diesel vehicles connected to the Volkswagen emissions issue. Their work involved testing diesel vehicles under real-world driving conditions and identifying elevated nitrogen oxide emissions from Volkswagen diesel vehicles. The findings were reported through the International Council on Clean Transportation and later reviewed as part of the regulatory investigation.
Automotive Engineering and Emissions-Control Expert Witness (Neutral Technical Research Role)
WVU engineering researchers were publicly identified in connection with diesel-vehicle testing, emissions measurement, diesel engine systems, and emissions-control performance. Their work involved technical testing tied to how Volkswagen diesel vehicles performed under real-world driving conditions compared with emissions standards. The publicly disclosed materials connect this engineering work to the broader regulatory review of Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles.
Regulatory Compliance Expert Witness
A regulatory compliance expert is often engaged in emissions-related disputes to explain the rules, testing duties, certification requirements, and reporting obligations that apply to manufacturers. In vehicle-emissions matters, this expert may review whether testing procedures, software disclosures, and regulator communications aligned with applicable environmental standards. The expert may also evaluate compliance programs, oversight measures, and corrective steps required after regulatory violations are found.
Consumer Protection and Economic Damages Expert Witness
A consumer protection and economic damages expert is often engaged when vehicle owners, buyers, or investors claim financial losses tied to alleged misrepresentations or regulatory noncompliance. In automotive emissions disputes, this expert may evaluate vehicle value, repair or buyback issues, consumer payment models, market effects, and settlement-related economic impact. The expert may also assess whether alleged conduct affected consumer decisions, resale value, or broader business losses.
Use Real-World Testing to Challenge Laboratory-Based Compliance Claims
Volkswagen Dieselgate shows how on-road emissions testing can reveal gaps that standard laboratory testing may miss. Attorneys handling emissions, product liability, or regulatory compliance disputes should examine whether testing conditions reflect actual product use. In this matter, WVU’s on-road testing and ICCT’s involvement helped move the emissions issue toward EPA and CARB review.
Connect Technical Evidence to Regulatory Duties
The legal record centered on defeat-device software, emissions-control performance, EPA and CARB testing requirements, and manufacturer statements to regulators. Attorneys should connect technical findings to specific duties, including certification, disclosure, reporting, and compliance obligations. This approach translates engineering evidence into issues that courts, agencies, and settlement negotiators can evaluate.
Treat Software-Driven Product Conduct as a Core Evidence Issue
The Volkswagen proceedings involved software that affected how diesel vehicles performed during emissions testing compared with normal driving. In disputes involving regulated products, attorneys should consider source code, calibration records, internal testing data, and communications about software functions. These materials may help establish how a product behaved, what the company knew, and how compliance decisions were made.
Build Regulatory Compliance Evidence Beyond the Initial Violation
Volkswagen’s U.S. resolution included a $2.8 billion penalty, probation, cooperation duties, and an independent corporate compliance monitor. For attorneys, the post-resolution compliance record can carry significant weight alongside the original misconduct allegations. Corrective actions, monitoring terms, reporting obligations, and agency oversight may affect settlement structure, remediation duties, and future risk management.
Distinguish Public Research Findings from Formal Litigation Records
The reviewed materials publicly identify WVU researchers in connection with on-road emissions testing, while DOJ materials document the later enforcement record involving Volkswagen, individual defendants, penalties, probation, and compliance oversight. Attorneys should separate technical research findings, agency determinations, charging materials, plea records, and settlement terms when presenting the timeline. Clear distinctions help preserve accuracy and avoid overstating what each source establishes.
Volkswagen Dieselgate moved from WVU/ICCT on-road emissions testing to EPA and CARB enforcement, federal charges, corporate guilty pleas, individual prosecutions, civil settlements, a $2.8 billion penalty, probation, and independent compliance monitoring. The record shows how defeat-device software, emissions-control performance, regulator communications, and manufacturer certification duties became central to the legal outcome. For attorneys, the matter shows the value of connecting technical testing evidence with regulatory compliance duties, software-driven product conduct, consumer loss claims, and post-resolution oversight without overstating publicly disclosed expert roles.
What was the Volkswagen Dieselgate emissions issue?
Volkswagen Dieselgate involved defeat-device software installed in certain diesel vehicles to alter emissions-control performance during regulatory testing. The vehicles met laboratory standards but emitted nitrogen oxide pollutants up to 40 times the legal limit during normal driving conditions.
Which Volkswagen and Audi vehicles were initially affected in the United States?
EPA findings initially covered approximately 482,000 diesel vehicles in the United States. Reported models included the Volkswagen Jetta, Beetle, Golf, and Passat, along with the Audi A3.
How did WVU and ICCT testing lead to regulatory review?
The International Council on Clean Transportation worked with West Virginia University to test diesel light-duty vehicles under real-world driving conditions. The testing found that two Volkswagen diesel passenger vehicles emitted nitrogen oxide at levels far above U.S. emissions standards, leading to further EPA and CARB review.
What role did EPA and CARB play in Volkswagen Dieselgate?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board investigated the emissions findings and notified Volkswagen in September 2015 that the company had violated state and federal emissions standards. Their review focused on whether Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles complied with emissions-certification requirements, testing duties, and regulatory disclosure obligations.
What penalties and compliance obligations did Volkswagen face in the United States?
Volkswagen pleaded guilty to federal emissions-related charges and was ordered to pay a $2.8 billion penalty. The company also agreed to three years of probation, cooperation duties, and oversight by an independent corporate compliance monitor for at least three years.
How many Volkswagen vehicles were linked to defeat-device software worldwide?
Volkswagen admitted that about 11 million cars worldwide were equipped with defeat-device software. The scale of the issue led to recalls, settlements, regulatory compliance oversight, and long-term financial consequences for the company.
Automotive Industry
Automotive Recall
Clean Air Act
Environmental Compliance
Environmental Protection Agency EPA
Portable emissions measurement system pems
Air Pollution
Consumer Protection
Automotive Electronics
Automotive, +4
Automotive
Automotive, +4
Automotive
How many Volkswagen vehicles were linked to defeat-device software worldwide?
Volkswagen admitted that about 11 million cars worldwide were equipped with defeat-device software. The scale of the issue led to recalls, settlements, regulatory compliance oversight, and long-term financial consequences for the company.