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Smoke and Mirrors – An Examination of the Dieselgate Scandal
(This presentation is open to all, including non-INCOSE members)
Greetings,
Please join us on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, at 5:45pm for a HYBRID presentation by Mr. Robert Aftel on the Dieselgate scandal: how engineers used technology and their knowledge of regulations to mislead governments and their customers.
This presentation will be made remotely by Mr. Aftel of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). INCOSE San Diego will host a group viewing at Maggie’s Cafe in Clairmont, though you are also welcome to join us virtually via Zoom.
INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 5:45-7pm Pacific Time (presentation start at 6pm)
Location: Maggie’s Cafe, 3232 Greyling Dr, San Diego, CA 92123 (Google Maps)
Cost: Free! There will be an optional dinner with soft drinks at the in-person venue at a cost of $5 INCOSE members/$10 non-INCOSE members. RSVP
Remote Login: We will use Zoom for the presentation:
https://incose-org.zoom.us/j/83735505397
Dial In: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 837 3550 5397
SYNOPSIS
In 2013, engineering student researchers at West Virginia University were performing on the road emission tests with new miniaturized instrumentation on a variety of vehicles when they discovered that the Volkswagen diesels they tested were not meeting EPA standards. Further investigation showed that the control systems designed by Bosch and Volkswagen were deliberately designed to fool the standard stationary tests of that time, and the ensuing scandal cost Volkswagen several tens of billions of dollars in fines, and some of their leadership their personal freedom.
In this presentation, Mr. Robert Aftel will review the history of this scandal, and how engineers used technology and knowledge of regulations to mislead governments and their customers. Most engineering disasters are errors of omission or simple negligence; in Dieselgate we have a rare example of engineers acting with malfeasance.
PRESENTER: Robert Aftel
Mr. Robert Aftel is a Navy civilian with a background in engineering and IT. His background on Dieselgate comes from his side passion for automobiles and internal combustion engines, where his knowledge and experience is applied as an expert witness for clients in litigation.
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