Volkswagen Starts India Recall With Previous Generation Skoda Superb

A year after the infamous dieselgate scandal broke out, Volkswagen Group India will now commence recalling diesel vehicles in the country, nine months after the exercise was announced. The recall will be conducted in a phased manner and starts with the previous generation Skoda Superb.

The older generation Skoda Superb was discontinued in late 2015 and was powered by the 2.0-litre EA 189 diesel engine, which has been at the forefront of the dieselgate scandal. As part of the recall process, the Skoda Superb will receive a software update, which the company says will rectify the issue without compromising on performance or safety. The automaker has already started contacting customers via the dealers or directly by the company.

Apart from the 2.0-litre EA 189 oil burner, Volkswagen Group India will also update the 1.2-litre diesel engine with the software update, while the 1.5-litre diesel will get a software and hardware update to comply with the emission norms. The hardware update includes a plastic or mesh filter placed inside the engine's air intake.

Volkswagen TDI

Volkswagen diesel cars involved in the scandal globally were found to be fitted with a defeat device that would switch the car to a lower emissions setting when being tested in a lab, while the figures would change to more power and fuel efficiency as well as higher emissions on actual roads.

Volkswagen Group says that it is issuing the voluntary recall to ensure that the cars are up to date with the latest technical changes in the European market.

According to a company spokesperson, the recalls for the remaining cars equipped with the 2.0-litre and others with 1.6-, 1.5-, and 1.2-litre engines will happen in a phased manner and there will be different clusters even within the engine type, with vehicles being segregated according to power outputs and gearboxes.

The spokesperson said the complexity of the process - involving several brands, models and model years, along with different engine variants - was the reason for the almost nine-month delay.

Volkswagen has further revealed that the recall was delayed for nine months after being announced due to complications in getting approvals from the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India). According to the spokesperson, the delay was also caused by the complexity of the process that involves multiple brands, models, model years and engine variants.

The German auto giant plans to initiate the recall in a phased manner starting with the 2.0-litre motor, and moving to the 1.6-, 1.5- and 1.2-litre engines. Furthermore, there will be different categories further down dividing the recall process based on engine type, power outputs and transmission options.