CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller told workers at the German automaker’s lone U.S. plant in Tennessee that recovering from a diesel emissions cheating scandal “won’t be a walk in the park,” but that the company is committed to turning around its prospects in what he called a core market.
Mueller spoke to workers Thursday, one day after meeting with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy about the company’s efforts to bring diesel cars into compliance with U.S. law. Volkswagen was forced to admit last year that about 600,000 vehicles were sold with illegal software designed to trick government emissions tests.
“We’ve made a mistake, and we have to fix this mistake,” Mueller told The Associated Press after the speech on the floor of the Chattanooga factory.
“Because it’s so complicated, it takes a little time,” Mueller said in the interview conducted in German. “I understand the impatience that exists. I’m impatient, too. I’d also like a faster solution, but we have to proceed with care.”
Mueller said the company has agreed with regulators not to discuss the next steps in public.