Volkswagen to recall 3.23 lakh vehicles equipped with defeat device in India

German auto major Volkswagen will recall 3.23 lakh vehicles in India after a government-ordered probe found the company using diesel engines equipped with a defeat device which help cheat emission tests, as it had done in the US and other global markets.

"The company will voluntarily recall 3.23 lakh vehicles which have been fitted with the E189 engines that are equipped with defeat device," a senior government official said.

A meeting was held between the company executives and officials of the Department of Heavy Industries on Tuesday after the submission of report by apex automotive testing agency Automotive Research Association of India​ (ARAI).

The ARAI found that diesel cars manufactured in India by Volkswagen which had the E189 engine fitted with the "defeat device", which may lead to excess nitrogen oxide emission levels in on-road vehicles.

Company officials who attended the meeting declined to comment but said a statement would be issued.

VW has already admitted that 11 million diesel engine cars worldwide were fitted with the software that helped in manipulating emission tests. It faces fine of up to $18 billion (Rs 1.19 lakh crore) in the US.

Automobile manufacturers have been recalling vehicles on safety issues since industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) initiated a voluntary policy in July 2012.

Till now over 13.25 lakh vehicles have been recalled by various manufacturers in India so far.