Volkswagen CEO tells Chattanooga workers that company will 'proceed with care'

Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller speaks to workers at the German automaker's lone U.S. plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. Mueller said he had agreed with federal environmental regulators not to publicly discuss Volkswagen's next steps in addressing its emissions cheating scandal. Volkswagen was forced to admit last year that about 600,000 vehicles nationwide were sold with illegal software designed to trick government emissions tests.
Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller speaks to workers at the German automaker's lone U.S. plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. Mueller said he had agreed with federal environmental regulators not to publicly discuss Volkswagen's next steps in addressing its emissions cheating scandal. Volkswagen was forced to admit last year that about 600,000 vehicles nationwide were sold with illegal software designed to trick government emissions tests.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller says he has agreed with U.S. environmental officials not to publicly discuss the next steps in addressing the German automaker's emissions cheating scandal.

Mueller told The Associated Press after a speech to workers at Volkswagen's lone U.S. plant in Chattanooga on Thursday that he understands frustration in the pace of finding a fix.

In Mueller's words: "I am impatient, too. I'd also like a faster solution. But we have to proceed with care."

Mueller met Wednesday with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy.

Volkswagen was forced to admit last year that about 600,000 vehicles nationwide were sold with illegal software designed to trick government emissions tests. Those controls deactivated during real-world driving, causing the cars to emit up to 40 times more pollution than allowed.

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