Automotive News: Volkswagen pleads guilty in U.S. court in diesel emissions scandal, U.S. auto recalls hit record high 53.2 million in 2016

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Volkswagen pleads guilty in U.S. court in diesel emissions scandal

Volkswagen AG pleaded guilty on Friday to fraud, obstruction of justice and falsifying statements as part of a $4.3 billion settlement reached with the U.S. Justice Department in January over the automaker's diesel emissions scandal.

It was the first time the company has pleaded guilty to criminal conduct in any court in the world, a company spokesman said, and comes as the automaker strives to put the most expensive ever auto industry scandal behind it.

The September 2015 disclosure that VW intentionally cheated on emissions tests for at least six years led to the ouster of its chief executive, damaged the company's reputation around the world and prompted massive bills. read more »

U.S. auto recalls hit record high 53.2 million in 2016

The U.S. Transportation Department said automakers recalled a record high 53.2 million vehicles in 2016 in the United States in part because of a massive expansion in callback to replace Takata Corp air bag inflators.

Under aggressive enforcement by the Obama administration, automakers issued a record-setting 927 recall campaigns, up 7 percent over the previous high set in 2015. Last year's recall of 53.2 million total vehicles topped the previous all time high of 51.1 million set in 2015, the department said. automakers issued a record-setting 927 recall campaigns, up 7 percent over the previous high set in 2015. read more »