Volkswagen estimate 1.8 million commercial vehicles affected by emissions scandal

Volkswagen’scommercial vehicles division has said 1.8 million of the German giant’s vehicles are among those affected by the emissions-rigging scandal.

Volkswagen AG has admitted using a piece of engine software to cheat on diesel car emissions tests in the US. It said last week that the engines concerned are in some 11 million vehicles worldwide – far more than the 482,000 originally identified by US authorities.

Details have emerged gradually of how many were made by which VW division.

On Tuesday, Guenther Scherelis, a spokesman for the commercial vehicles unit – which makes vans and pick-ups – confirmed a report in the German daily Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung that 1.8 million of its vehicles were affected. He did not give further details.

Also affected are 5 million VW brand cars, 2.1 million Audis and 1.2 million Skodas.