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Exhaust emission type approval for one Volkswagen diesel commercial vehicle model withdrawn with immediate effect
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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (October 16) announced with immediate effect the withdrawal of the exhaust emission type approval of one Volkswagen (VW) diesel commercial vehicle model, namely "Caddy" as its EA 189 engine has been installed with "defeat devices". The defeat devices enable the vehicles to comply with the specified emission standards while testing in a laboratory but their on road emissions exceed the emission standards.

     "After noting a report last week that some VW diesel commercial vehicles also have defeat devices, we immediately approached VW Hong Kong. During our investigation, VW Hong Kong admitted that 'Caddy' sold in Hong Kong has the defeat device. According to the Transport Department, 269 Caddy diesel vehicles have been registered in Hong Kong between 2011 and 2015.

     We have thus decided to withdraw with immediate effect the exhaust emission type-approval for first registration of the above vehicle model. In effect, no new registrations of this vehicle model will be allowed in Hong Kong. In parallel, we have also removed "Caddy" from our list of environment-friendly commercial vehicles which are eligible for first registration tax concession," said an EPD spokesman.

     "We have also required VW Hong Kong to take remedial actions on its Caddy diesel vehicles that have already been sold and in use in Hong Kong as what VW Group has undertaken for the affected vehicles in other regions. VW Hong Kong has agreed to do so swiftly. We have also required VW Hong Kong to formulate a rectification plan as soon as possible and inform their affected customers. Besides, a dedicated hotline should be set up to answer enquiries on this incident. VW Hong Kong has pledged to take remedial actions expeditiously," the spokesman added.

     "Regarding the other two VW diesel commercial vehicle models, i.e. Amarok and Transporter, VW Hong Kong has advised that the models sold in Hong Kong do not have the defeat device," the spokesman said.

     The EPD will seek additional information on these two models from VW Hong Kong and conduct emission tests very soon. VW Hong Kong has agreed to offer the two models of vehicles for testing.

     The EPD has grave concerns about recent overseas reports on VW vehicles fitted with defeat devices. After the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced on September 18, 2015 that VW has installed defeat devices in its diesel private cars, the EPD has immediately sought information from the relevant regulatory authorities in the United States and European Union (EU) as well as the vehicle manufacturer. Based on the current available information, the affected diesel private car models announced by the USEPA and VW group have not been registered in Hong Kong.

     The EPD will continue to closely monitor the development of the case.

Ends/Friday, October 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:09

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