From every article I have read, it seems pretty clear that Volkswagon cheated by installing devices that would detect when their cars were being test for emissions by the EPA.
But here's a puzzle: This cheating was detected nearly a year and a half ago! [see this]
Carder said he's surprised to see such a hullabaloo now, because his team's findings were made public nearly a year and a half ago.
"We actually presented this data [sic] in a public forum and were actually questioned by Volkswagen," said Carder.
Granted, Huffington Post has a reputation of not being entirely reliable among some circles, but I'm guessing this report is accurate.
If it IS accurate, what took so long? Why has this information not be disseminated widely before now? What did VW do, if anything, to slow its dissemination? And given they new these results, did VW keep cheating after learning of them? And if so, what kind of stupid is that?
If I had bought one of these vehicles, I'd want a full refund and then some.
And why would anyone buy a VW now? .... well, maybe if I were in the market I'd consider one at half price...
My friend, Ted Frank at the Centre for Class Action Fairness will surely have an interest in this situation. Perhaps as many as 11 million car owners who will now have to bear huge expenses and and/or inconveniences as VW tries to fix the situation, likely by reducing gas mileage and torque on the diesels.