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The Volkswagen automaker is waiting because of the introduction of the new WLTP emissions test apparently with an even longer drought period than previously thought. "This subject will occupy us for a few months until we return to a normal driving style in factories," Managing Director Herbert Diess wrote to the staff. Other automakers are also struggling with complex change – in some cases, entire sets of models must be temporarily removed from the program.
In order to meet the costs resulting from the new test procedure, the Volkswagen Group temporarily changes production in Wolfsburg for a week three to four days after the holidays. Until now, it has been said that the ribbons in the main plant from the end of July to the end of September on a total of twelve days to rest completely.
"Time of Uncertainty"
The reason: The company does not stay behind with the certification of different model variants. Starting in September, every new car for sale in the European Union must pbad the new WLTP emissions test for approval.
"Technical development and production colleagues work hard to keep effects under control," says Diess. Earlier, the chairman of the board of directors, Bernd Osterloh had stated in an interview with this newspaper that the company was facing a "period of uncertainty" after the summer. During the planned closing days in production, it was possible to distribute the burden of employees fairly – "but it is also foreseeable that WLTP problems will accompany us beyond the third quarter".
Car manufacturers fear US tariffs
The introduction of WLTP also has serious consequences for BMW. The Munich had already announced in March, the production of several gasoline models for the European market to stop in order to adapt to new consumption measures. The 7th would be stopped as a gasoline engine in Europe, even for a year, they said.
The auto industry is also concerned about the tariff dispute between America and the European Union. US President Donald Trump has threatened car manufacturers and European suppliers with 20% tariffs. "Only the US tariffs discussed could lead to losses of several billion for German manufacturers," said the boss of VW.
In the debate on nitrogen oxide emissions from older diesel cars, "Where betrayals have been made, the industry must bear 100% of the costs of retrofitting the equipment," says a position paper from the Liberal parliamentary group. The FDP, however, is in favor of financially supporting the technical conversion of other diesel vehicles. This could be – similar to the promotion of particle filters – a fund to introduce, the equipment and the industry should also participate
By Marco Engemann and Jan Petermann
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