VW admits emissions scandal was caused by systematic failures

German carmaker says for first time there was a 'whole chain' of errors and a mindset that tolerated rule-breaking

Volkswagen has admitted for the first time that the diesel emissions scandal was the result of systematic failures within the company, rather than just the actions of rogue engineers.

Hans Dieter Pitsch, the VW chairman, said there had been a "whole chain" of errors at VW and a mindset within it that tolerated rule-breaking.