16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience

Unreal

Thousands of Volkswagen and Audi cars sit idle in the middle of California’s Mojave Desert. Models manufactured from 2009 to 2015 were designed to cheat emissions tests mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Following the scandal, Volkswagen recalled millions of cars. Aerial image (photographed from a plane).

Photo Detail Date Taken: 05.2018 Date Uploaded: 08.2018 Photo Location: California, United States of America Camera: NIKON D810 Copyright: © Jassen Todorov Awards Photo of the Day: 10.03.18 Editor's Pick Finalist

This photo is a finalist in the American Experience category of our 16th Annual Photo Contest. See all 60 finalists here