Italy Will Test Emissions Of About 80 Diesel Models Of Main Automakers: Report

Volkswagen Passat TDI Diesel, Sept. 30, 2015 — The steering wheel of a Volkswagen Passat TDI diesel is seen in London Sept. 30, 2015. Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

ROME (Reuters) — Italy will test about 80 diesel models produced by eight leading automakers in the wake of the emissions scandal at Volkswagen AG, financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore reported Saturday. Citing a transport-ministry document obtained by the newspaper, the report said the emissions tests would probably begin in about 10 days, with results set to be published by next May.

The tests are likely to involve some 1,000 new and used cars and will cover the most common diesel models present in Italy produced by Volkswagen and seven of its main competitors, the newspaper said.

Europe's largest carmaker, VW has admitted cheating in diesel emissions tests in the U.S., and Germany's transport minister has said it also manipulated them in Europe, where VW sells about 40 percent of its vehicles.

(Reporting by Gavin Jones; Editing by Helen Popper)

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