Volkswagen's Clean Air Act violations on 2009+ TDIs spark huge recall, investigations

[zoomydu]

Hmmm. Since most Europeans stop at 2 kids (population responsible in only replacing themselves), maybe that is why they don't need Suburbans and Escalades.

When we had our first (and only) kid my uncle-in-law said "well, I guess you'll have to get a minivan, now." Um, OK. At the time our "big" car was a Ford Escort sedan, which we continued to drive until it was 11 and the kid was 5. We replaced that with a Mazda 3s hatch. And now I drive a JSW, because my MIL got bored with it and wanted an SUV with AWD, again. I actually find the JSW to be absolutely as large a car as I can ever imagine being comfortable driving. I totally don't see the appeal of the behemoth SUVs, but I also don't see the appeal of a ton of kids, so there's that.

 

[redbarron55]

It depends on the horsepower rating of the mower.
The average goat is usually about 1/4 HP.
A 2HP mower can be replaced with 8 goats.

I don't think you need that many goats as they work more hours a day than a mower.
Then there is the Barbecue.
Mowers don't do well on the grill.

 

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

snip

Maybe we can have a new thread on sheep-sheeppoo-goats-goatpoo-EPS-CARB-deer-deerpoo-dieselgatepoo.

------------------


My ol' 2003 GSL 5 manual sweetie

 

[MichVW]

Given the 20+ deer that already wander through the yard, I can't see I'm adding that much to the overall production. Plus I've got woods that need clearing the floor, deer just walk through, goats I know would clear it out nicely.

I would be happy to take care of your "lazy deer" problem for you....allowing more room for the harder working goats!!

 

[Rudyjo]

You forgot about the EPA regulations regarding goat feces management, as well as goat flatulence attainment. Heavy fines for violations of those items.

There are no fines on goat feces.
When allowed to do it's job, feces will help produce healthy grasses and plants, which will help produce clean air.

Unlike others who pretend to have knowledge on this subject, I give facts to back up my claims.

 

[kitarkus]

Since we are already wildly off topic within this wild thread which is full of varying topics....I'll bring us back to VW...if only for a moment:

VW Alltrack Golf Sportwagen at the Chicago Auto Show: http://www.santabarbaravw.com/blog/vw-golf-sportwagen-alltrack-at-the-chicago-auto-show/

 

[roostre]

Volkswagen Memos Suggest Emissions Problem Was Known Earlier

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/b...emissions-problem-was-known-earlier.html?_r=0

Other documents from 2014 and 2015 show Volkswagen managers weighing the risks of different strategies, which ranged from refusing to acknowledge that there was a problem to admitting there was a problem and even buying back diesel cars sold in the United States.

EDIT: I wonder which strategy they chose? Safest bet would be to pick all three. Probably to settle bets among the top managers on which strategy was most risky.

 

[qwaszxxx]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/b...tion=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article

Lots of things we've heard and some new tidbits. Looking grimmer and grimmer for VW and their claims this was done by a few rogue engineers without the knowledge of management.

Among my favorite lines: "Other documents from 2014 and 2015 show Volkswagen managers weighing the risks of different strategies, which ranged from refusing to acknowledge that there was a problem to admitting there was a problem and even buying back diesel cars sold in the United States."

This company never ceases to amaze me with their stupidity.

 

[TDILeo]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/b...tion=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article
Lots of things we've heard and some new tidbits. Looking grimmer and grimmer for VW and their claims this was done by a few rogue engineers without the knowledge of management.
Among my favorite lines: "Other documents from 2014 and 2015 show Volkswagen managers weighing the risks of different strategies, which ranged from refusing to acknowledge that there was a problem to admitting there was a problem and even buying back diesel cars sold in the United States."
This company never ceases to amaze me with their stupidity.

I think you may be confusing stupidity with arrogance.

 

[MichVW]

I think you may be confusing stupidity with arrogance.

Yeah...that ^^^^^^^^

Edit... I really wonder when VW is going to make a public statement about all of this. From what I have read, there hasn't been anything from VW in almost two months. Are they really just going to let this fester? You have to wonder.... What in the He** are they thinking...

 

[kitarkus]

This company never ceases to amaze me with their stupidity.

Yup...It's going to be a long wait for us TDI'ers I fear. Next news will be that "several top VW execs sold XXX in stock shares just prior to September 2015".

VW isn't in remediation mode...they are in 'run and hide' mode. They can't speak publicly about their plans...because it is too complicated. Say one thing...triggers another thing...triggers yet another thing. They have dug a HUGE hole for themselves and I'm not sure how they plan to escape it. This big story is getting much bigger. If the corporate lawyers haven't told them each to shut up and be silent....then their individual lawyers have.

edit....I guess I will have to put some new rubbers on my car...my current tires aren't likely to outlast VW's silence.

 

[camper12]

On my ol' 2003 GSL gasser at a new VW dealer was $200 +

Got one at SAMs for ~~ $129

Batteries on the 2011 TDI lasted 3.5 years and had to replace the 13 Passat battery this past Sunday, also at 3.5 years. Used the VW Visa for the new one.

 

[El Dobro]

I have not received a single letter in the mail from a lawyer regarding the VW issue. When I was on facebook...by thread was flooded with ads....but no letters in my mailbox. Interesting.

I got rid of the car 5 years ago and I get letters. The lawyers are also advertising about it on TV now.

 

[waltzconmigo]

There are no fines on goat feces.
When allowed to do it's job, feces will help produce healthy grasses and plants, which will help produce clean air.

Unlike others who pretend to have knowledge on this subject, I give facts to back up my claims.

not that it matters in this thread but you do realize what that "smiley" represents, correct? of all the threads on Fred's. this is the least to be taken seriously until actual facts about how VW plans to resolve the current fiasco become public. your input is appreciated but nothing written should be taken for more that it is represented as, entertainment.

 

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

Since we are already wildly off topic within this wild thread which is full of varying topics....I'll bring us back to VW...if only for a moment: snip

~~ As you said we are a little off the topic

Regarding the general thinking of VW ~~ i. e. on the subject of the defeat device. ~~ and hoping this post does not land me in trouble.

German engineering was-is-has-been some of the best in the world. period.

to wit

It is said had Germany concentrated on defense in the air war rather than offensive ~~ it might have produced a different results.

Back to dieselgate ~~ does anyone believe VW is confused-off-bass-messed-up with the best methods to solve the scandal?

 

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

Batteries on the 2011 TDI lasted 3.5 years and had to replace the 13 Passat battery this past Sunday, also at 3.5 years. Used the VW Visa for the new one.

Happy you got to use your VW VISA card.

Personally hoping I can do better with my VW Battery.

My life long Battery results has been more or less very good.

Last 20-30 years SAM's ~~ Walmart ....

i. e. Like a 60 month battery ~~ 55 to 61 months

 

[durundal]

~~ As you said we are a little off the topic

Regarding the general thinking of VW ~~ i. e. on the subject of the defeat device. ~~ and hoping this post does not land me in trouble.

German engineering was-is-has-been some of the best in the world. period.

to wit

It is said had Germany concentrated on defense in the air war rather than offensive ~~ it might have produced a different results.

Back to dieselgate ~~ does anyone believe VW is confused-off-bass-messed-up with the best methods to solve the scandal?

So VW's inability to come up with a proper engineering solution means they're not German now? I think the B-17 and B-24 were pretty damned well engineered to stop the ****s and by 1945 they would have been crushed by the B-29s and large scale American special project engineering anyway, but with countless more people sent to the ovens in the mean time. Maybe you shouldn't idolize their engineering history quite so much.

 

[bubbagumpshrimp]

Volkswagen Memos Suggest Emissions Problem Was Known Earlier
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/b...emissions-problem-was-known-earlier.html?_r=0
EDIT: I wonder which strategy they chose? Safest bet would be to pick all three. Probably to settle bets among the top managers on which strategy was most risky.

No way! Lol. Of course they knew earlier than that. A few rogue engineers, lol. The longer they drag this out, the more interesting it will get.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

So VW's inability to come up with a proper engineering solution means they're not German now? I think the B-17 and B-24 were pretty damned well engineered to stop the ****s and by 1945 they would have been crushed by the B-29s and large scale American special project engineering anyway, but with countless more people sent to the ovens in the mean time. Maybe you shouldn't idolize their engineering history quite so much.

Wow that is harsh.... However I agree German engineering is not that great, and I think American Engineering is better, the best in the world over all (historically speaking for the last +100 years). Forget just automotive, Germans do make nice European style cars, design, style, function, performance... However in GENERAL that does not mean their engineering is that great. In fact their cars as we know have always been expensive, not always reliable and often not very maintainable. They are not the be all end all.

USA has more Nobel prizes in science and engineering than any nation, and that is from a very young nation. USA has 352 Nobel prizes, and a distant 2nd is UK at 125. Germany has 105 NP's. With that said, before America was civilized, Germans had pretty awesome scientist and physicist, which was the foundation for future technology many decades or even centuries later. However the USA can lay claim to many great feats of engineering, scientific and medical inventions and discoveries. The list is so long, but a few:

Modern Suspension Bridge, Electric Light Bulb, Photographic Film, Phonograph, Machine Gun, Skyscraper, Airplane, electric traffic light, Liquid-Fuel Rocket, modern digital computer, Nylon, TV, FM radio, Transistors, fully automatic automobile transmission, Nuclear Bomb, first successful jet liner (sorry Comet came out first, but crashed too much, and then B707 came out and never looked back), microwave oven, Integrated circuit, magnetic stripe card, LASER, bar code, LED, compact disk, MP3, kevlar, lunar module, laser printer, cyclotron atom-smasher, fiber optics, personal computer, mobile phone, Space Shuttle, Internet Protocol HTTP, computer mouse, LCD, GPS, heart transplant, mapping genome (genetic),Voyager 1, Saturn V, Hubble Telescope…medicine and medical devices and pharmaceuticals too many to name...

Of course WWII USA produced more airplanes, ships, subs, tanks, vehicles, artillery, guns, ammo and food than any allied or axis nation by a huge margin.... which helped win the war against Japan and Germany (Germany?) Oh never mind.... Do you think Germany is getting even for WWII, by making unreliable expensive cars that pollute?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_United_States_inventions

 

[aja8888]

You forgot about the EPA regulations regarding goat feces management, as well as goat flatulence attainment. Heavy fines for violations of those items.

You get emissions offset credits for goat milk and cheese production.

 

[ezshift5]

....in the final analysis (MHO now), the B-17/B-24 and yes even the Superfortress were lucky .

The Me-262 had 4 30 millimeter nose-mount cannon, 12 wing mount R4M aerial rockets, a lead computing gunsight (equivalent to our K-14) and speed (circa 540 MPH)...................

Too little, too late. Luck.

ez

 

[jhawklver]

I get those who want to sell now are impatient with VW's plans and no communication. And, I agree that even if they just sent out communications stating we (customers) are important to them it would go over better. That said, I understand 100% why there is no news coming out about their plans and fixes.

As other posters mentioned... Lawyers and PR managers. VW is already in enough crap, and the few times they've tried to address it publicly have been failures. Add in the fact they've submitted a plan to EPA and are waiting and it is folly to expect them to say much.

The only messages we can really expect will be from outside agencies (Feinberg is a great example) and leaks (either planned or unplanned). VW being silent is the least surprising part of this for me when it comes to a fix. From a branding and customer standpoint, I would argue they could reach out periodically without saying anything just to have a "customer touch" but they don't seem to be that type of company.

 

[romad]

The Me-262 had 4 30 millimeter nose-mount cannon, 12 wing mount R4M aerial rockets, a lead computing gunsight (equivalent to our K-14) and speed (circa 540 MPH)...................

Not mention being made into a BÖC song!

 

[St.Hubbins]

I feel your pain. I cant imagine a 2 door. I have a 4 door and have issues getting him in and out unless I detach the seat from the base and pull the entire carseat out.

good grief, someone call the whaaambulance for these whingers - we've had both our kids in every variety of seat from rear-facing infant to toddler in the Golf without a single space issue, and i'm 8'9" and 510lbs., while my wife is twice that size! go back to the Excalade forum with your sob stories, space hogs!

 

[waltzconmigo]

, but with countless more people sent to the ovens in the mean time. Maybe you shouldn't idolize their engineering history quite so much.

surely, given the current situation you are not comparing these moments in history?

 

[Jeta Life]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/b...tion=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article

Bernd Gottweis was mentioned, the Red Adair reference in the article was nice. VW's pulls Bernd out of retirement as a "firefighter" for the crisis management.

Found an article on Bernd:

http://dailykanban.com/2015/10/the-man-who-could-have-prevented-dieselgate-vw-recalls-him/

The Dalmatian is now the official dog of the VW crisis, the firefighter's dog.

Dailykanban looks like a great website, glad I found it.

The article paints an interesting picture, had Bernd remained in his department we may have never had Dieselgate as he may have alerted supervisors. Article makes WiKo (Winterkorn) look really bad.

Jack Ewing's article's in The Times are usually always pretty good, that one reference of Bernd Gottweis is yet another disturbing eye-opener.

 

[ccbsecu]

My second set of 'goodwill' cards came in today
Supercharger labor install $$ and new tires for the M3!!

 

[haunruh]

My second set of 'goodwill' cards came in today
Supercharger labor install $$ and new tires for the M3!!

I got my fourth set of cards today .... go figger!!! Too bad I can't register them all

 

[bakdoor]

Let's not rewrite history here, folks. The German engineering at the outset of WWII was superior. They had better guns, better planes, better tanks, better submarines, rockets, jet engines...the list goes on. We were able to defeat them on sheer volume, not our engineering prowess...except for maybe the Jeep, that pretty much kicked a55. Oh, and the atomic bomb chipped in for victory as well. But the Germans had better stuff all around.
Ok, back to Dieselgate...

 

[scooperhsd]

Let's not rewrite history here, folks. The German engineering at the outset of WWII was superior. They had better guns, better planes, better tanks, better submarines, rockets, jet engines...the list goes on. We were able to defeat them on sheer volume, not our engineering prowess...except for maybe the Jeep, that pretty much kicked a55. Oh, and the atomic bomb chipped in for victory as well. But the Germans had better stuff all around.
Ok, back to Dieselgate...

I'd argue about the navy stuff - (except submarine torpedos at the beginning). We were better AND more numerous. We were big enough to fight in both the Atlantic AND Pacific and kicked both their butts.