Volkswagen denies recall reports in India following diesel emission scandal

Volkswagen's (VW) Indian unit is likely to recall 1,00,000 cars in the country impacted by the diesel emission scandal, CNBC-TV18 reported on Thursday citing sources. The recall in India, expected to happen before November 8, would mostly affect cars fitted with engines that have been imported and would also include 20,000 diesel vehicles made in the country, the television channel reported, according to news agency Reuters.

A VW India spokesman was not immediately reachable for comment. However, VW officials rubbished the recall report. Europe's biggest carmaker has admitted cheating in emission tests on around 11 million diesel vehicles globally.

The scandal has pushed VW to report its first quarterly loss in, at least, 15 years, forced out its long-time chief executive officer and sent shockwaves through the global car industry.

Meanwhile, VW said that it will come out with details by the end of next month about the steps it will take regarding the cars it has sold in India following the emission cheating scandal.

"Volkswagen Group India representatives met senior officials of the ministry of heavy industries and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) today and have updated them on the evaluations so far on the ongoing emission issue with reference to India," the company said in a statement on Thursday.

"Since there is a complex combination of several brands, various models, different engine variants and gearboxes as well as different model years that need to be analysed, establishing detailed facts is taking a longer time," the VW statement said.

"Volkswagen Group India will present its results from evaluation by the end of November 2015," the statement added. During this period, company representatives will stay in regular touch with ARAI to keep the authorities updated on the analysis. The next steps will depend on the findings from these evaluations.

"Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group India would like to assure that all vehicles in the customers' hands remain technically safe and roadworthy," the company further stated.

The government has ordered an investigation and directed automotive testing agency ARAI to find out whether the carmaker had cheated on emission tests in India as it did in the US, where it faces a fine of up to $18 billion.

(With inputs from agencies)