VW making progress in settlement negotiations: judge

San Francisco

A FEDERAL judge said Volkswagen AG has made "substantial progress" towards a settlement to get about 80,000 Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche vehicles with emissions-cheating three-litre diesel engines fixed or off United States roads.

Lawyers for the carmaker, consumers and the US Justice Department have assured the court that negotiations are ongoing, but Volkswagen may be headed to trial if an agreement isn't reached.