The former largest US volume diesel sedan manufacturer has a temporary setback with its next generation.
Richard Truett – Automotive News – Nov. 9, 2007
Volkswagen of America lost the ability to sell its once hot-selling diesel models due to the Tier II/Bin5 emissions specs. The new emissions system will be ready by late summer … I hope. -- Ed.
A problem with the emissions system in Volkswagen’s new Jetta TDI will delay the launch of the diesel sedan for about six months. The car is critical to VW’s plans to get back on track in the United States.
VW spokesman Keith Price confirmed that the delay will be announced this week at the Los Angeles auto show. Price would not give specifics about the technical problem, but he said it has been fixed.
The technical changes engineers made to solve the problem mean the car must go through emissions testing and validation again, Price said.
VW dealers have been without a new diesel car to sell since last spring. Production of the new model, which will be sold in all 50 states, was scheduled to start in January. The car will be built in Puebla, Mexico.
U.S. sales originally were expected to begin in early spring, Price said. Now sales won’t start until later in the summer.
“Sure, they’re disappointed,” Price said of dealers who have learned of the delay…
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