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Shares in Volkswagen slide after U.S. Justice Department sues automaker

Shares in Volkswagen AG slid sharply after the U.S. Justice Department sued the German automaker over emissions-cheating software fitted to diesel vehicles.

DOJ action potentially exposes company to billions in fines for clean air violations

VW first admitted in September that the suspect software was installed in cars with its popular 2.0-litre diesel engines (Michael Sohn/Associated Press)

Shares in Volkswagen AG slid after the U.S. Justice Department sued the German automaker over emissions-cheating software that had been placed on diesel vehicles.

Volkswagen's shares fell 5.9 per cent, or $1.76, to close at $28.34 US in New York trading on Tuesday. 

The U.S. Justice Department's move on Monday potentially exposes the company to billions in fines for clean air violations.

Volkswagen set aside 6.7 billion euros to deal with the costs of recalling and fixing cars after the scandal erupted in September, but the ultimate costs to the company are expected to be considerably higher.

A raft of private class-action lawsuits filed by angry VW owners also is pending.