All Volkswagen models affected by the emissions scandal in the US complied with South African emissions standards, said Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) on Monday.

As the emissions standards were much lower in South Africa (Euro 2) than in Europe (Euro 5) and the US, “all Volkswagen Group diesel vehicles of the type EA 189 retailed in South Africa – that is Volkswagen passenger, Audi, [and all] light and medium commercial vehicles – comply with this standard for nitrogen oxide emissions”, said the local arm of the German manufacturer in a statement.

The software used to cheat emission tests in the US did not negatively affect carbon dioxide (CO₂) values, VWSA added.

“Our vehicles accordingly comply with the published CO₂ values.”

This implied that the carbon tax paid on the sale of these vehicles in South Africa should be correct.

VWSA provided the assurance that all Volkswagen vehicles on sale in South Africa were “technically safe and roadworthy”.

“We would like to apologise to our customers for any uncertainty that may have been created over this issue and want to assure our valued customers that their vehicles meet all the legal requirements in terms of which the national regulator approved their sale for use in South Africa.

“There is, therefore, no action required on either the part of the customer, or our dealers.”

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) announced in September that it would launch an investigation to determine whether emission data on Volkswagen vehicles sold in South Africa had also been manipulated, as was the case in the US.

The NRCS said it would work with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Transport “to determine whether South African vehicles are also affected.

“If vehicles are found to be noncompliant, the NRCS will apply a sanctioning process, which will lead to the recall of the relevant vehicles for correction.”

Volkswagen head office last month apologised for cheating on emissions tests, admitting its error.

Some 11-million Volkswagen diesel cars built since 2008 were known to be affected by the scandal. Of these, 500 000 were in the US.

The affected vehicles featured devices which could detect when the engine was being tested, changing the car's performance to improve results.

BBC News said 2009 to 2015 Jetta, Beetle, Golf and Audi A3 models and 2014 and 2015 Passat models, sold in the US, featured the devices that produced doctored results.

Volkswagen CE Martin Winterkorn had been forced out due to the scandal and replaced by Matthias Mueller, the former head of Porsche.