Germany’s powerful Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) says it is “dismayed” by the furore surrounding emissions testing results in the US and says it is taking the situation very seriously.

The VDA does not name Volkswagen, but the German automaker has been embroiled in a diesel emissions testing scandal, which has now claimed the scalp of CEO, Martin Winterkorn, who announced his resignation minutes ago.

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“[The] German automotive industry is dismayed by the manipulation of exhaust tests discovered at one company in the US,” said a VDA statement. “What has happened there is incompatible with how the automotive industry perceives itself. A practice involving the wrongful use of a special piece of engine software is unacceptable.

“We regret most deeply what has happened and take the situation very seriously. The events must now be fully and consistently investigated, and the necessary measures taken to regain lost trust.

“The German automotive industry supports the authorities as they work towards comprehensive clarification and examination.”

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