Volkswagen has been fined £1 billion by German authorities over a diesel emissions cheating scandal which affected 10.7 million cars produced between 2007 and 2015.
The scandal was first revealed in 2015 when the company admitted to using a software function that would turn on emission controls during testing and reducing those controls during regular driving.
In a statement released by Volkswagen, the company accepted the fine and admitted its responsibility in selling vehicles with impermissible software functions during the period.
“According to the findings of the investigation carried out by the Braunschweig public prosecutor, monitoring duties had been breached in the Powertrain Development department in the context of vehicle tests.
“Following through examination, Volkswagen AG accepted the fine and it will not lodge an appeal against it.
“Volkswagen AG, by doing so, admits its responsibility for the diesel crisis and considers this a further major step towards the latter being overcome.”
The administrative order and subsequent fine will halt active offence proceedings against the company in Europe while administrative proceedings will continue.