Volkswagen’s luxury sports vehicle unit Porsche AG has launched an internal investigation into the suspected manipulation of petrol engines.
Porsche has informed Germany’s automotive watchdog KBA, the Stuttgart prosecutor’s office, as well as U.S. authorities of suspected illegal changes to hardware and software that could affect exhaust systems and engine components.
“Porsche is regularly and continuously reviewing technical and regulatory aspects of its vehicles,” a Porsche spokesman said. “As part of such internal examinations Porsche has identified issues and has, just like in the past, proactively informed authorities.”
The spokesman said that the issues relate to vehicles developed several years ago, adding that there were no indications that current production was affected. The carmaker is working closely with authorities, he said.
According to a Germany-based newspaper report, engines developed between 2008 and 2013 were the subject of the investigation, including those of the Panamera and 911 models.
The paper also said that apart from discussions with employees, meeting protocols and hundreds of thousands of emails were being examined in search of evidence, adding KBA has launched an official investigation.
Meanwhile, on the heel of Porsche’s own inquiry, Germany’s motor vehicle authority (KBA) has also commenced investigating Porsche’s suspected manipulation of petrol engines to achieve improved emissions data.
A KBA spokesman said this morning (Monday) the investigation involved petrol engines that Porsche, Volkswagen’s luxury sports vehicle unit, produced for the European market before 2017.
Porsche had confirmed a newspaper report on Sunday that it had informed the authorities after internal investigations uncovered suspected irregularities.
German prosecutors fined Porsche 535 million euros ($632 million) last year for lapses that allowed the company to cheat diesel emissions tests, but manipulation has not yet been proven for petrol engines.
A Porsche spokesman on Sunday said the issues relate to vehicles developed several years ago, adding there were no indications that current production was affected.
“The carmaker is working closely with authorities,” he added.
