BERLIN (Reuters) -- Audi says it has found simple technical fixes for its V-6, 3.0-liter diesel engines that U.S. regulators say violate the country's clean air laws. The engine is fitted in about 85,000 Audi, VW and Porsche diesels sold in the U.S.
"Swift, straightforward and customer-friendly solutions are in discussion," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told a gathering of 7,000 workers at Audi's headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany, on Tuesday. "Every day we are taking another step towards the solution," he said.
Audi said last month that it failed to disclose three emissions control software functions on the engine, known as auxiliary emissions control devices (AECDs) as required by U.S. law. One of the AECDs fitted to adjust the working temperature of catalytic converters is regarded as a defeat device according to U.S. law, Audi said.
The brand has submitted a fix to U.S. authorities that indicates the engine can be made compliant with a software update.
Stadler came under fire from some labor representatives for initially ruling out any modifications to the engine. He will face questions today from VW's supervisory board on how Audi will tackle the crisis at a time when its sales are slowing amid falling demand for its models in China, its biggest market by volume.
Audi accounts for about 40 percent of parent Volkswagen Group's group profit.
Audi's supervisory board last week appointed VW Group CEO Matthias Mueller as chairman and Stefan Knirsch as development chief to succeed Ulrich Hackenberg. Hackenberg was suspended two months ago together with two other executives closely associated with the development of the diesel engine at the center of VW Group's emissions-rigging scandal.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this report
