Anxious wait for Volkswagen New Zealand

Volkswagen NZ is still waiting to be advised whether any vehicles sold in New Zealand were put through the cheating emission test linked to the international scandal. Photo / Bloomberg

Volkswagen New Zealand is waiting anxiously to be advised whether any vehicles sold in New Zealand were put through the cheating emission test linked to the international scandal.

The scandal has also spread to Audi and Skoda, with Audi confirming that 2.1 million of its cars around the world were outfitted with software that enabled them to cheat emissions standards.

Both car-markers are owned by Volkswagen, which has admitted it used special software to fool US emissions tests for its diesel vehicles. About 11 million VW diesel cars built since 2008 are affected by the scandal.

Initial reaction was that Volkswagen New Zealand was not affected because it was only cars made in the US that had been tested with the special software.

General manager Tom Ruddenklau said New Zealand Volkswagen models are manufactured to European emission standards, which have also come under question, and it is unknown whether any New Zealand cars could be affected.

"We're in constant updates with Germany every night, as of this morning we're still in a holding pattern... still waiting to see what implications are if any for NZ.

"As soon as we do know we will be in touch with our customers straight away."

Mr Ruddenklau said it had been a "pretty anxious" process.

"It's a big challenge and a big challenge for the brand... We've all had better weeks at work."

He said the team at Volkswagen New Zealand was working together.

"We're all focused on the job we've got to do."

The German company admitted last week to installing software in 11 million cars around the world that enabled diesel emissions standards to be cheated.

Audi has confirmed that 2.1 million of its cars around the world were outfitted with the software.

Around the world, the affected Audi models include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, TT, Q3 and Q5, The Washington Post reported.

Czech-based Skoda said 1.2 million of its cars were involved, but has yet to give a country or model breakdown.

Mr Ruddenklau said Volkswagen was leading the communication on the issue.