FILE PHOTO: A Porsche logo is seen outside a Porsche car dealership, amid the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brussels, Belgium 28 May 2020. REUTERS / Yves Herman
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) Luxury unit for sports motors Porsche AG has begun an internal investigation into the suspected manipulation of petrol engines, reported German weekly Bild am Sonntag (BamS).
Porsche has informed automotive watchdog KBA, the office of Stuttgart, and U.S. authorities about suspected illegal alterations to hardware and software that could affect emissions systems and engine components, the paper said.
“Porsche regularly and continuously investigates technical and regulatory aspects of its vehicles,” a Porsche spokesman said. “As part of such internal investigations, Porsche has identified issues and has, as in the past, proactively informed authorities.”
The spokesman said the problems were related to cars developed several years ago, adding that there were no indications that current production was affected. The automaker works closely with authorities, he said.
BamS, not quoting where it got the information, said engines developed between 2008 and 2013 were the subject of research, including those of the Panamera and 911 models.
The paper also said that, apart from discussions with staff, minutes of meetings and hundreds of thousands of emails were investigated in search of evidence, added KBA has launched an official investigation.
Report by Christoph Steitz; Edited by Aurora Ellis
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