Volkswagen emissions scandal

Volkswagen has said that its namesake brand sold more vehicles worldwide in 2017 than ever before, a sign it is recovering from a bruising emissions-cheating scandal three years ago.

 Volkswagen's  core autos division increased vehicle sales to a record 6.23 million cars last year, as rising demand for VW brand models in the Americas and the key Chinese market offset a decline in western Europe.

German automaker Volkswagen on Nov. 17 said it planned to invest more than 34 billion euros ($40 billion) over the next five years in new technologies to advance its push to become a global leader in electric cars.

Emissions from diesel cars rigged to appear eco-friendly may be responsible for 5,000 air pollution deaths per year in Europe alone, according to a study published Sept. 18.

The numbers are in line with previous assessments of deaths due to the so-called "Dieselgate" scandal, which erupted when carmaker Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to cheating on vehicle emissions tests.

German car giant Volkswagen and its two Chinese joint-ventures will recall 1.82 million vehicles in China, the country's top consumer watchdog said Sept. 4, in a new setback for the scandal-hit company.

The German environment ministry has rejected calls from two of the country's states for tax incentives to promote the sale of low-emission modern diesel and electric cars.

German carmakers faced a brewing scandal on July 24 as suspicions grew they colluded illegally for decades, further damaging the industry's image and exposing it to massive financial risks.

The German transport ministry announced plans on June 27 to set up a new institute to test vehicle emissions to try to restore consumer confidence after the Volkswagen scandal.

The ministry said it would found a new testing institute involving the auto industry, ministries, consumer organizations and environmental groups.

Audi's emissions scandal flared up again on June 1 after the German government accused the carmaker of cheating emissions tests with its top-end models, the first time Audi has been accused of such wrongdoing in its home country.

German auto giant Volkswagen on Feb. 24 said it raced back into the black in 2016 as car sales hit an all-time high, in the latest sign of its "dieselgate" scandal fading into the rearview mirror.