Volkswagen is to recall 8.5m diesel cars across the European Union in the wake of the emissions scandal.
The full extent of the work required by the manufacturer to deal with the defeat devices in its diesel vehicles became apparent on Thursday after German authorities rejected its proposals for a voluntary scheme.
Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority ordered a compulsory recall of all the affected 2.4m Volkswagen cars in the country, triggering the EU-wide move by VW across 28 member states.
It means that all 1.2m vehicles affected by the scandal in the UK will also be formally recalled.
Volkswagen said it welcomed the German decision, which would “give customers clarity with regard to the continued unrestricted use of the vehicles”.
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