"Never again", Volkswagen tells the EP car emissions inquiry. But MEPs are looking for guarantees of more rigorous testing.

Car manufacturers in the dock

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/20102637/n005-160713-001-en.srt

For the first time, the inquiry into  the dieselgate emissions-fixing scandal

heard from the firm in the dock:  Volkswagen.

An inquiry committee was set up to look  into failings to legislate for real-world tests

Also, what the EU knew of VW's  infamous 'defeat devices'.

It is in our hands to react  in a responsible way

and to make sure  it never happens again.

We have decided that  emissions tests in our Group

will be controlled externally  and independently in the future.

which explained the likely impact  on Europe's car industry.

There will be a significant increase  in the costs of diesel cars,

and therefore it will reduce the  attractiveness of certain types of vehicles.

And of course this will mean that  we have to look for alternative solutions.

So far, the committee has focused  on technical automotive details

and just approved a midway report  reflecting that.

Many MEPs now hope  they'll start hitting the political issues.

Car manufacturers are trying to frame it  as a problem with the legislation

instead of that they just should  have cleaned up their cars.

And I think the question that is becoming  more and more important is,

to what extent have they been  influencing the lawmakers?

Other manufacturers  and former Commissioners

before the Committee presents  its final report by the end of the year.