Volkswagen may withdraw from selling diesels in USA

Volkswagen may not sell diesel cars in the USA again, in the wake of the emissions scandal and amid stricter emissions legislation.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Hinrich Woebcken, head of Volkswagen’s American outfit, hinted that the automotive giant is undecided as to whether to bring diesels back to the American market.

The move makes sense, as Woebcken said the US's ever stricter emissions standards make it difficult for diesel car makers to meet legal requirements, which correlates with Volkswagen’s renewed enthusiasm for hybrid models and electric vehicles since the scandal broke.

Volkswagen has been on the wrong end of particularly strong reaction from various American factions, with numerous lawsuits from legislators, as well as its own dealer network.

It has also agreed to compensate USA-based VW owners, in a compensation and buy-back package, which it has refused to offer to customers elsewhere in the world, prompting criticism from numerous European groups, government and otherwise.

VW’s share of the American market for the year to August fell to 1.8%; down by 0.3% compared with the same period in 2015, according to the Wall Street Journal. It will look at returning to the diesel car market in America on a product by product basis.

A Volkswagen spokesman was unavailable for comment at the time of publishing.

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