VW Contacts UK Customers Caught Up In Scandal

Some Volkswagen customers in the UK have begun receiving letters telling them their cars have been caught up in the diesel emissions scandal.

Thousands of the company's vehicles sold in Britain are among 11 million worldwide fitted with so-called "defeat device" software that was used to cheat environmental tests in the US.

UK motorists have not been told when their vehicles will be recalled, but VW bosses have said the process was expected to begin early next year.

On Monday, VW's UK managing director Paul Willis apologised "sincerely and unreservedly" to customers and admitted the car maker "mishandled the situation".

Appearing before MPs, he said 400,000 vehicles would need changes to their fuel injection systems as well as having the software removed.

The letters to customers, from company director Alex Smith, confirmed their vehicles were roadworthy so there was "no need" to take immediate action.

It added: "However, a service action including your car will be required to rectify the issue.

"Technical solutions are currently being developed and the matter is being worked upon with the utmost priority."

The emissions scandal was sparked by US environmental regulators who found the software switched engines to a cleaner mode when official testing was carried out.

The German car giant has confirmed it will use new diesel emissions technology in Europe and North America following the scandal.

Mr Willis said the first VW in the UK fitted with the pollution test-cheating software was sold in 2008 - and over 1,000 cars were sold after the revelations emerged last month.

He admitted sales and orders for VW vehicles were down "a little bit" since the scandal broke, but that the company's other brands were selling as would normally be expected.