Volkswagen in the Midst of Cheating Emission Tests

According to a report from New YYork Times the German Auto giant -- Volkswagen -- was cited by the Environmental Protection Agency for cheating on emissions tests. And, you thought only Samsung cheated the benchmarking software to artificially bump up it's score on different benchmarking tests few years back. Step aside Samsung, make way for Volkswagen.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued the company a notice of violation and accused the company of breaking the law by installing software called a “defeat device” in 4-cylinder Volkswagen and Audi vehicles from model years 2009-15.

The car company had installed device/software which is programmed to detect when the car is undergoing official emissions testing, and to only turn on full emissions control systems and reducing Nitrogen Oxide production during that testing. These controls are turned off during normal driving situations, when the vehicles pollute far more heavily than reported by the car company, the E.P.A. said. The cheating device is installed in about 482, 000 Volkswagen vehicles to be recalled due to the cheat.

This comes as a big blow to the brand image of Volkswagen and leaves a black eye for diesel car enthusiasts. Last week VW's chief executive Martin Winterkorn was forced out over the scandal and replaced by Matthias Mueller, the former head of Porsche.

Besides stunning VW customers, the scandal has stunned investors in the car maker. 

Volkswagen scandal summary:

11 million Vehicles affected worldwide

€6.5bn Set aside by VW

$18bn Potential fines