The scandal surrounding Volkswagen deepens.

Already under investigation in the US, South Korea and Italy for cheating diesel emissions tests, the German car manufacturer now could face a European Union probe.

France has called on the EU to launch an inquiry, although for the moment the 28-member body has indicated it is too early to pursue the case.

Some 11 million VW vehicles are equipped with the software to disguise pollution levels.

After being caught out by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the automaker’s US head chose a blunt approach to the situation.

“We’ve totally screwed up,” he said.

Volkswagen could face billions of dollars in penalties in the US, with regulators claiming they were misled for over a year. The company says it is “working at full speed to clarify irregularities.”