Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Fine for polluting emissions
Opel pays millions because of diesel scandals
In 2018, Opel has to recall diesel models because they do not comply with pollutant values. Now the German carmaker accepts a fine of just under 65 million euros. However, the company is not threatened with a process based on the Volkswagen model.
The car manufacturer Opel accepted a fine of 64.8 million euros in the diesel scandal. The Frankfurt public prosecutor had imposed the fine because several Opel diesel models emitted significantly higher levels of pollutants than the Federal Motor Transport Authority stated. As a spokeswoman confirmed, the authority closed the investigation against Opel “for breach of documentation obligations” in February with the approval of the diesel models with a corresponding fine.
This has now been paid, the spokeswoman said. There will therefore not be a process based on the Volkswagen model at Opel. The Hessischer Rundfunk reported first. The proceedings against six responsible managers were discontinued because of minor guilt or against payment of conditions.
Opel attaches great importance to the determination that the notice of the fine does not contain any accusation of an intentional act or a criminal offense, in particular no fraud. “It also does not contain a statement of an illegal defeat device,” said a company spokesman. Opel is still fundamentally convinced that all vehicles have complied with the legal requirements at all times.
The investigation was initiated by the German Environmental Aid Association. In 2018, the Federal Motor Transport Authority imposed a mandatory recall on Opel models that had emitted significantly higher levels of pollutants on the road. Opel responded with changed software.