Volkswagen CEO is 'deeply sorry' about alleged car emission violations

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn apologized Sunday after the Environmental Protection Agency accused the German carmaker of installing software in vehicles designed to lie about nitrous oxide emissions.

"I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public," Winterkorn said in a statement. "We will cooperate fully with the responsible agencies, with transparency and urgency, to clearly, openly, and completely establish all of the facts of this case."

The company is launching an external investigation into the issue, which the EPA says affects nearly half a million cars. No recall has been issued.

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