The German automobile was suspected by Brussels of an illegal agreement, so as not to compete on technologies that reduce polluting emissions. On Thursday, July 8, the European Union imposed fines of 502 million euros on Volkswagen and 373 million on its compatriot BMW for restricting competition in exhaust gas cleaning systems for diesel cars.
The other large German manufacturer Daimler (Mercedes), which had participated in this agreement but had revealed its existence, was not sanctioned. These three groups have “ violates EU rules on anti-competitive practices by consulting on technical development in the field of nitrogen oxide emissions purification ”, explained the Commission, in a press release.
The case also concerns the two high-end brands Audi and Porsche, subsidiaries of Volkswagen. It is not linked to the “dieselgate” scandal, revealed in 2015, which had forced VW, the leading European manufacturer, to recognize the rigging of its engines to bypass antipollution standards.
“For more than five years, the builders worked together”
Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler (Mercedes) “Met regularly at technical meetings to discuss the development of selective catalytic reduction technology [SCR], which eliminates harmful nitrogen oxide emissions [NOx] of diesel engine car exhaust by urea injection [également appelée “AdBlue”] “, explained the European executive. “During these meetings, and for more than five years, the car manufacturers have consulted together”, so as not to clean up more than the regulations required, the same source said.
These groups “Had the technology to reduce harmful emissions beyond what was legally required by EU emissions standards. But they avoided competing with each other by not using the full potential of this technology to go beyond the legally prescribed level of purification ”, denounced the competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, during a press conference. By choosing to reveal the case, Daimler was granted full immunity, avoiding a fine of around 727 million euros.