Germany Orders Porsche to Recall Diesel Cayenne SUVs

Germany has ordered Volkswagen AG’s Porsche unit to recall some 22,000 of its diesel-powered Cayenne crossover vehicles across Europe and update their software so it will no longer evade emission standards.

Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt says the directive targets models with 3.0-liter diesels that had been developed by VW’s Audi unit. He notes that the VW Touareg, a variant of the Cayenne, is likely to receive a similar recall order.

The Cayenne recall also bans the sale of unsold new models until their software has been updated. Porsche, which says it discovered the rogue software during its own internal investigation, has agreed to remedy the problem.

The recall announcement comes as German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks warns of a continuing crackdown by the government on regulatory cheating. In a blunt critique of the traditionally cozy relationship between German carmakers and government officials, she says industry has interpreted the association as “carte blanche for manipulation and abuse.”

Hendricks suggests that fuel efficiency and emission regulatory functions be shifted from Germany’s transport ministry to its environment ministry.