Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, reviews and videos for Monday, September 21, 2015.
EMISSIONS
On Friday, we learned that, since 2009, Volkswagen USA’s four-cylinder diesels were running different software during emissions testing than in real-world driving. As a result, the cars were emitting up to 40 times the allowable pollution when net being tested. In the near term, we could see fines up to $18 billion. In the long-term, we could see Volkswagen’s already sketchy U.S. reputation sorely worsened. In the short-term, we can expect to see a further decline of Volkswagen’s U.S. sales volume.
APOLOGY
“I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public.” One way to attempt to get a scandal behind you is to apologize early and often. Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn penned his regrets two days after news broke.
SHAREHOLDERS
Early this morning came news that shares of Volkswagen are plunging. As of this moment, they’re down 20%.
AUTOFOCUS
In Canada, the fastest-growing car through 2015’s first eight months is the Volkswagen Golf. The second-fastest-growing car? That would be the Golf-based Audi A3.
REVIEW
The Wall Street Journal’s Dan Neil reviewed a front-wheel-drive Honda HR-V with the 6-speed manual transmission. “You must learn to love the sound of a Honda four-cylinder revving its eyeballs out.”
WATCH
“Volkswagen has more diesel cars on the road in the U.S. than every other brand combined.” That’s probably not the message Americans want to hear now that we know those VW diesels are really very dirty.
