Audi developed cheat software to rig emissions tests as far back as 1999, which was later used by Volkswagen to cheat emissions tests, according to new findings.
The report by German newspaper Handelsblatt says that the cheat software was created to combat restrictions introduced in 2001 by European law, which aimed to limit nitrogen oxide emissions to 0.5g/km.
However, Audi did not implement the illegal software, which was instead adopted by Volkswagen in 2005 when it failed to bring nitrogen oxide levels below the legal limit.
Handelsblatt also revealed that US law firm Jones Day, which is currently investigating the Volkswagen emissions scandal, is expected to launch a full report by the end of April.
Volkswagen is also due to release details of how it plans to operate in the future by the end of this week.
Last month, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it will sue Volkswagen for misleading customers with its ‘Clean Diesel’ advertising.
The FTC said that it is seeking compensation for those affected by the emission scandal, and plans to implement an injunction to “prevent Volkswagen from engaging in this type of conduct again”.
It was also announced today that Mitsubishi had deliberately falsified fuel tests, affecting up to 625,000 cars, some of which were produced for Nissan.
Mitsubishi said that it had “conducted testing improperly to present better fuel figures". It added: “We express deep apologies to all of our customers and stakeholders for this issue”.
Cameron Tait
