VW, Porsche, Audi issue stop-sale orders on 3.0-liter diesel vehicles amid U.S. emissions questions

November 03, 2015 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON -- Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi will discontinue sales of certain vehicles with 3.0-liter diesel engines in the U.S. after the EPA said Monday that various Volkswagen Group vehicles with those engines contained illegal software to manipulate emissions.

The EPA said Monday that emissions “defeat devices” were used on the 2015 Porsche Cayenne, 2014 VW Touareg, 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L, and Q5 models powered by the VW Group’s 3.0-liter diesel engine, which was developed by Audi. Previously, only vehicles with 2.0-liter diesels were involved in the automaker’s emissions scandal.

VW AG on Monday denied the EPA’s charges, and said it would fully cooperate to resolve the issue.

Porsche’s stop-sale affects 2014-2016 models of the Cayenne Diesel. Porsche said it made the decision voluntarily and “in view of the unexpected U.S. EPA notice” the company received Monday.

“We are working intensively to resolve this matter as soon as possible. Customers may continue to operate their vehicles normally,” Porsche said.

Audi's stop-sale order covers 2013-2015 models of the Q7 equipped with the 3.0-liter diesel V6 TDI engine. It also includes various 2014-2016 model year A6, A7, A8, A8L, Q5 vehicles with those engines.

No recall is planned, Audi said in an advisory to U.S. dealerships sent on Tuesday.

"Volkswagen Group of America is working with regulators and will take all steps necessary to remedy any issues, including a potential emissions recall," said the advisory obtained by Automotive News. "This is an emissions matter and not a safety issue. Owners of these vehicles do not need to take any action at this time."

The VW brand also issued a stop sale on the 2014 VW Touareg with the engine involved in the EPA notice, Reuters reported today.

About 10,000 vehicles from the 2014 and 2015 model years contained the newly discovered defeat devices, plus an unknown number of 2016 models, according to the EPA.