The decision to fit devices on cars to cheat emissions tests was a "moral and policy disaster," Volkswagen's supervisory board said Friday, adding that a small group of people was to blame.

"We can clearly say that emissions manipulation was a moral and policy disaster," said Berthold Huber, who heads the committee of 20. Another board member, Bernd Osterloh, added that "a small group had caused great damage to Volkswagen."