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Volkswagen’s diesel cheating was an ‘open secret’ among engineers, report says

Volkswagen claims a small group of engineers were responsible for the “defeat device” software used to help diesel cars cheat on U.S. emissions tests, and that their activities weren’t widely known inside the company. But the company’s own internal investigation may say differently.

The use of “defeat device” software was an “open secret” within VW’s diesel-engine development group, according to a report from German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, translated by Reuters. This conclusion allegedly comes from Volkswagen’s own internal investigation, the results of which still haven’t been released to the public. VW previously summarized the findings as indicating that few employees knew about the cheating.

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A “culture of collective secrecy” prevailed within the diesel group, where virtually everyone working within the group knew about the illegal activities, according to the report. Use of a “defeat device” was apparently discussed as far back as 2006, right as stricter U.S. emissions standards were about to be implemented. Volkswagen wanted to push diesels in the U.S. because of their fuel economy, but engineers reportedly had a hard time finding a cost-effective way to meet the regulations.

VW’s corporate culture prevented engineers from telling management that it would be impossible to meet their goals, the report said. To say that something could not be done “was not acceptable,” the report said, allegedly quoting testimony included in the internal investigation from a Volkswagen employee who participated in the fraud. There was at least one exception, when an employee reported the cheating to a senior manager in another division in 2011, but that manager did not take action.

Employees testified under an amnesty program administered by VW shortly after its cheating was revealed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late September. Employees had until November 30 to come forward and testify without the risk of penalties, and it is understood that around 50 people did so. Volkswagen plans to release the results of the investigation at its annual shareholders’ meeting in April.

While the public may learn more about how cheating on such a massive scale happened soon, there’s still no set timeline for when VW will begin a U.S. recall of its delinquent diesels. A proposed fix for the 482,000 cars with 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engines was recently rejected by the California Air Resources Board, although VW properties Audi and Porsche claim to have a plan ready for the 85,000 3.0-liter V6 cars.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Buy Now, Upgrade Later: Slate’s $25K Truck Flips the Script on EVs
many hybrids rank as most reliable of all vehicles evs progress consumer reports cr tout cars 0224

A new electric vehicle startup—quietly backed by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos—is building something bold in Michigan. Not just a car, but a whole new idea of what an EV company can be. Slate Auto is a stealthy new automaker with one mission: ditch the luxury-first EV playbook and start from the affordable —which most drivers actually seek.
The start-up has been operating out of public sight since 2022, until TechCrunch found out about its existence. Of course, creating a little mystery about a potentially game-changing concept is a well-tested marketing approach.
But Slate truly seems to approach EVs in a very different way than most: It isn’t debuting with a six-figure spaceship-on-wheels. Instead, it's targeting the holy grail of EV dreams: a two-seat electric pickup truck for just $25,000. Yep, twenty-five grand. That’s less than a tricked-out golf cart in some neighborhoods. Slate is flipping the Tesla model on its head. Tesla, but also the likes of Lucid, BMW, and to a certain degree, Rivian, all started with high-end vehicles to build brand and bankroll future affordable car. But Slate wants to start with the people’s pickup—and letting it grow with you.
This isn’t just a cheap car. It’s a modular, upgradeable EV that’s meant to be personalized over time. Buy the basic model now, then add performance, tech, or lifestyle upgrades later—kind of like building your own dream ride one paycheck at a time. It’s a DIY car for a generation raised on customization and subscriptions. The company even trademarked the phrase: “We built it. You make it.”
Backing up this idea is an equally bold strategy: selling accessories, apparel, and utility add-ons à la Harley-Davidson and Jeep’s MoPar division. You’re not just buying a vehicle; you’re buying into a lifestyle. Think affordable EV meets open-source car culture.
Slate's approach isn't just novel—it's almost rebellious. At a time when other startups risk folding under the weight of their own lofty ambitions, Slate is keeping things lean, scalable, and customer focused. The company reportedly plans to source major components like battery packs and motors from outside suppliers, keeping manufacturing costs low while focusing energy on design, experience, and upgrade paths.
Sure, it’s all been kept under wraps—until now. With plans to begin production near Indianapolis by next year, the wraps are about to come off this EV underdog.
While, at least in spirit, the U.S. market has been dominated by high-end EVs, Slate’s “start small, scale with you” philosophy might be just the jolt the industry needs.

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Kia EV 9

As Kia reported record first-quarter sales, Eric Watson, Kia America VP of sales, made a point of painting a rosy picture for the future: Now that the latest versions of its two best-selling electric vehicles, the EV9 and the EV6, are in full-scale production at Kia’s plant in Georgia, the road is paved for further sales growth.
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A heads-up display while driving has always been the dream use of AR glasses and now it looks like that could soon become a reality.

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