Volkswagen's Emissions Scandal: The Shocking Cost of Deception - Top 7 Key Insights

Volkswagen, a renowned name in the automobile industry, shocked the world in 2015 when it was revealed that the company had been involved in a significant emissions scandal. The scandal, which quickly became known as "Dieselgate," involved Volkswagen installing software in their diesel vehicles that manipulated emissions tests. This introduction aims to set the stage for a detailed exploration of the scandal, its impacts, and the shocking cost of deception. This article will delve into seven key insights that provide a comprehensive understanding of the scandal and its implications.

The Deception Unveiled

The second section of our exploration takes us to the heart of the scandal - the deception. Volkswagen installed a 'defeat device' in their diesel vehicles that could detect when the car was undergoing emissions testing. During these tests, the software manipulated the car's performance to emit lower levels of pollutants, thereby passing stringent emission standards. However, under normal driving conditions, these vehicles were found to emit up to 40 times the legal limit of nitrogen oxides, harmful pollutants linked to respiratory diseases. This blatant deception, which was in direct violation of the Clean Air Act, led to a cascade of legal and financial consequences.