Volkswagen chief issues emissions scandal apology at CES 2016
Matthias Muller, Volkswagen's new chief executive, issued a lengthy apology to the American people on the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday after half a million US cars were found to have cheated regulatory emissions tests in 2015.
Before revealing electric concept vehicles the Budd-e microbus and the e-Golf Touch to the audience at the Cosmopolitan Chelsea Theater, Muller admitted that the emissions scandal was “nothing to be proud of” and that he was “disappointed that this could happen within the company we love”.
He said “we are working night and day to find effective technical remedies for our customers and the authorities worldwide,” promising that the company is “committed to making things right and ensuring something like this could never happen again”.
Worldwide, 11 million cars are reported to have been affected by the issue, with the emissions-faking systems present in 500,000 vehicles sold in the US.
The statement comes after the US government issued a lawsuit in Detroit against the auto-producer for its part in deceiving authorities on Monday.