Germany to Retest All VW Cars for Emissions

Germany’s transport minister says the country will run new emission tests for all current Volkswagen Group car and crossover models after the company’s disclosures of test-cheating software in 11 million diesels and “irregularities” in the fuel economy ratings for 800,000 other vehicles.

Minister Alexander Dobrindt says his department will check the emission levels of nitrogen oxide (a gas linked to smog) and carbon dioxide (used to estimate fuel efficiency) for diesel and gasoline versions of all Audi, SEAT, Skoda and VW brand models currently sold in Germany.

Dohbrindt says VW’s latest disclosure of wrongdoing has caused “irritation in my ministry and with me.” Moody’s Investment Services says this week’s revelations prompted it to lower its credit rating to A3/P-2 with a negative outlook.

VW estimates it sold 4.5 million of the cheater diesels in Germany. Dobrindt says about 200,000 of the company’s cars with inflated fuel economy ratings are in the country. He tells reporters he wants VW to pay higher taxes on the latter vehicles because their CO₂ emissions are greater than reported.