Volkswagen manipulated emissions tests in Europe as well as the United States, Germany's transport minister has said.
Alexander Dobrindt said: "We have been informed that also in Europe, vehicles with 1.6 and 2.0 liter diesel engines are affected by the manipulations that are being talked about," adding it is unclear how many vehicles in Europe were affected.
Mr. Dobrindt added random tests would be carried out on cars made by other manufacturers.
The controversy involving VW is centered on "defeat devices" it used to fool U.S. emissions tests on diesel cars into believing the vehicles met environmental standards.
The company admits the software, which switches engines to a cleaner mode during official testing, may have been fitted in 11 million of its vehicles worldwide.