Volkswagen New Zealand says it is likely to start recalling cars early next year, once it has identified all owners potentially affected by the emissions scandal.
VW says it will start recalling cars in New Zealand early in 2016. Photo: AFP
The German carmaker estimates up to 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide need to be refitted because they could carry software designed to manipulate emissions tests.
Volkswagen New Zealand said it had identified 5500 new vehicles that were affected and is now working with the Transport Agency to find the owners of second hand imports.
Spokesperson Tom Ruddenklau said the recall affected 1.6 and 2 litre diesel cars produced from 2009, and applied to four or five models.
Mr Ruddenklau said it would write to affected owners to remedy the situation, although what that would involve was still to be determined by Volkswagen in Germany.
He said the recall was likely to take most of next year.