What is the reason for Volkswagen's 40 billion fine?
2 Answers
Volkswagen's 40 billion fine is due to "emissions cheating." Volkswagen (German: Volkswagen) is an automobile manufacturing company headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, and is the core enterprise of the Volkswagen Group, one of the world's four largest automobile manufacturers. Introduction to Volkswagen: Volkswagen (German: Volkswagen) is an automobile manufacturing company headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, and is the core enterprise of the Volkswagen Group, one of the world's four largest automobile manufacturers. In 2019, it ranked 9th on the Fortune Global 500. Volkswagen's sales: "Volks" in German means "people," and "Wagen" means "car," so the full name translates to "people's car," often abbreviated as "VW." In Taiwan, it is translated as "Fuxi Automobile," while in Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, it is referred to as "Volkswagen" or "Fuxi Automobile." In 2012, the entire automotive group produced and sold over 9.07 million vehicles, with the Volkswagen brand alone exceeding 5.74 million.
I've been following automotive technology topics, and the key reason Volkswagen was fined 40 billion was due to major issues with the special software installed in their diesel vehicles. During testing, the cars could recognize environmental parameters to reduce emissions and meet standards, but in real-world driving conditions, emissions were shockingly excessive—especially nitrogen oxides, which could be dozens of times higher. This deceptive practice violated environmental regulations in multiple countries, such as the hefty fines imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The software was ingeniously designed but utterly unethical, leading to health risks like respiratory diseases. As a result, the total fines included compensation and penalties, forcing the company to pivot toward clean technology investments. This incident serves as a reminder that innovation must comply with the law—cutting corners harms both others and oneself.
