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Merkel calls for transparency in Volkswagen emission scandal

Xinhua, September 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday called for "full transparency" in clearing up the emission manipulation scandal of German automaker Volkswagen which admitted that the scandal might hit 11 million cars.

"Given the current difficult situation, this is about showing full transparency and clear up the entire process," said Merkel in a press conference in Berlin, responding to a question of whether she feared the scandal would hurt the positive image of German auto industry.

Merkel said the German transport minister was in close contact with Volkswagen, and she hoped to see "the facts on the table as quickly as possible".

Earlier on Tuesday, Volkswagen admitted that some 11 million diesel cars might have been involved in the emissions-testing manipulations.

Its Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn apologized again for having "broken the trust" from "millions of people all over the world".

"Quick and full clarification has the highest priority," he said in a video statement, "We will do everything necessary to reverse the damage and do everything necessary to win back your trust step by step."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) founded last Friday that a software installed by Volkswagen in its diesel cars could manipulate emission-testing data by turning on full emission controls only when the car is undergoing emission tests and emitting nitrogen oxides at up to 40 times the standard during normal driving.

EPA said Volkswagen might face penalties of up to 18 billion U.S. dollars. Endit