Volkswagen Fined AUS$25 Billion:
11 Million vehicles are being recalled after investigations revealed that the German auto giant, Volkswagen, deliberately installed “defeat devices” in their diesel models to falsify emissions tests.
According to authorities in the Unites States, the world’s largest automaker, by sales in the first half of this year, is understood to have equipped at least 482,000 cars in the US with a piece of software that secretly turns on emission controls when the car detects that it is undergoing an emissions test. It’s a sophisticated program, installed on the vehicles’ on-board computers to purposefully misrepresent emission figures, yet when the car is being driven under normal conditions, the program discretely turns the emission control off.
It is believed that the software was installed to allow Volkswagen to meet the US’s strict anti-pollution regulations and emissions standards, which Cynthia Giles, an enforcement officer at the US Environment Protection Agency, explains is, “illegal and a threat to public health.”
With this discovery, Martin Winkerkorn, VW’s chief executive, issued an apology and vowed that the company will cooperate with authorities and arrange for their own external investigation to take place, hoping to determine the people involved and the reasons behind their actions.
“I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public. We will cooperate fully with the responsible agencies, with transparency and urgency, to clearly, openly and completely establish all of the facts of this case.”
This is quite possibly the most notable case of corporate fraud in the last decade.
Volkswagen is one of the world’s most recognised brands, made famous through their iconic design and innovation in mechanical engineering. The company has received a multitude of international awards, not to mention the 67 awards they’ve won in Australian alone and their vehicles have won countless motor-sporting events. Yet, here we are discussing the outcomes of a multi-billion-dollar court case. Why? Surely Volkswagen, as a company, wouldn’t intentionally falsify their emission results… or would they?
The answers to these questions boil down to the old saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” – as much as we’d all like to watch a video or read a story that tells us everything, we’ll never know unless we can gain access to inside information.
Corporate espionage is a practice that’s served some of the world’s most powerful organisations, aiding them to outcompete their rivals, bankrupt their enemies and prevent products or services from being delivered by their opponents. It’s not just about the big guys either; corporate espionage is used on all scales, by all levels of operation, across all commercial industries. Even if you’re a local grocer, selling essential items, fresh goods and refreshments to the neighbours, a large corporation is more than capable of having operatives in place to obtain as much information about you and your business as possible. Why? So that they can determine the value of the building, the amount of footfall, the potential for sale and of course, how easy it would be to “persuade” you to sell.
Volkswagen, just like your business, can benefit from the services of a professional private investigator – a good one, that is. Right now, a dedicated professional would be analysing terabytes of data, analysing paperwork, determining the appropriate paper trail to follow and preparing a list of potential suspects to review.
Precise Investigation has faithfully served Australian businesses and individuals alike for the last 30 years, cementing the firm as one of the country’s leading private investigation firms. Our investigators, backed by a team of dedicated industry experts, work with the utmost discretion, integrity and skill to obtain the information you need, information admissible as evidence in court.
Call Precise Investigation today on 1300 856 011 for a professional, Private Investigation Service
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If you would like to read more about Volkswagen’s case, please have a look at ABC’s website or click here.