In the memo Winterkorn was told about an independent study that found VW cars were producing very high emissions in real life, but very low emissions under strict test conditions. Volkswagen ( VW ) has admitted that its former CEO , Martin Winterkorn , was told about the company ’s illegal emissions crisis more than a year before it confirmed it was cheating on US tests . VW said that Winterkorn was sent a memo in September 2014 describing how some VW vehicles were producing up to 35 times more nitrogen oxide emissions than allowed . However , the company said there was no evidence Winterkorn had read the letter . In November 2014 , Volkswagen was again told about the problem .
Volkswagen ( VW ) has admitted that its former CEO , Martin Winterkorn , was told about the company ’s illegal emissions crisis more than a year before it confirmed it was cheating on US tests . VW said that Winterkorn was sent a memo in September 2014 describing how some VW vehicles were producing up to 35 times more nitrogen oxide emissions than allowed . However , the company said there was no evidence Winterkorn had read the letter . In November 2014 , Volkswagen was again told about the problem .