Chile decertifies 23 VW, Audi and Skoda models over emissions scandal

Chile is barring 23 new models of Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda from circulating without inspections in response to the German automaker's cheating on pollution controls, the government said Friday.

Porsche Chile, the local concessionaire, meanwhile said it is temporarily halting sales of models affected by the order.

Five Volkswagen, six Audi and 12 Skoda models were singled out by the Transport Ministry, which said it was withdrawing technical certificates that allow those vehicles to be driven without inspections.

It said the measure would remain in effect until the problem was corrected.

Volkswagen has admitted that software designed to "defeat" emissions controls was installed in 11 million of its diesel-fueled vehicles.

The company has said it will take more than a year to fix the problem.

Its Chilean concessionaire has informed the government that the emissions "defeat" software was installed in nearly 1,600 vehicles in Chile.

"As of today and in agreement with the pertinent authorities, it has been decided to temporarily postpone the sale of all the affected models as a preventive measure," Porsche Chile said in a statement.