Michael Horn, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, has admitted he was made aware of “a possible emissions non-compliance” in early 2014/AFP
In testimony released ahead of his hearing with the House energy committee, Michael Horn offered a “sincere apology” for Volkswagen’s use of a software program “that served to defeat the regular emissions testing regime.”
He also admitted he was made aware of “a possible emissions non-compliance” in early 2014 after researchers at the University of West Virginia found that the cars affected released up to 40 times as much nitrogen oxide than was legally permissible.
Horn said he was also told by his staff at that time that US authorities could conduct tests for so-called “defeat devices”, which release lower levels of emissions under testing.
The US boss said that later that year he was informed technical teams had a plan to bring the vehicles into compliance, and that they were working with the authorities on the process.
He said Volkswagen finally admitted to US regulators in September that hidden software installed in certain diesel vehicles “could recognize whether a vehicle was being operated in a test laboratory or on the road,” emitting higher levels of pollution outside the lab.
The company had “broken the trust of our customers, dealerships, and employees, as well as the public and regulators,” he said according to the prepared testimony, promising those responsible would be held accountable.
