The BMW Group has released a statement in reaction to a report that German automakers have allegedly been working together to fix the prices of diesel emissions treatment systems.
German publication Der Spiegel recently reported that competition authorities in Germany were investigating whether Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen had been holding “secret working groups” since the 1990s to discuss the cost of AdBlue, an exhaust emissions treatment system for diesels.
According to Der Spiegel, which cited a document submitted by Volkswagen in July 2016, the automakers discussed AdBlue tank sizing, eventually agreeing to use smaller tanks to cut costs. The report says this meant they were thus not fit for purpose.
Both Audi and Mercedes-Benz have since issued voluntary recalls in Europe to tweak various diesel models, and now the BMW Group has released a statement “to make its position regarding recent allegations clear”.
“BMW Group vehicles are not manipulated and comply with respective legal requirements. Of course, this also applies to diesel vehicles. Confirmation of this is provided by the results of relevant official investigations at the national and international level,” the statement said.
“The BMW Group categorically rejects accusations that Euro 6 diesel vehicles sold by the company do not provide adequate exhaust gas treatment due to AdBlue tanks that are too small.
“Technology employed by the BMW Group is clearly differentiated from other systems in the market. We compete to provide the best exhaust treatment systems: unlike other manufacturers, BMW Group diesel vehicles employ a combination of various components to treat exhaust emissions.”
The Munich-based automaker added that there was no need for it to recall any Euro 6 diesel models.
“Vehicles which use urea injection with AdBlue (SCR) to treat exhaust emissions also employ a NOx-storage catalytic converter. With this combination of technologies, we fulfil all legal emissions requirements and also achieve a very good real-life emissions performance. This means there is no need to recall or upgrade the software of BMW Group Euro 6 diesel passenger cars,” the group said.
“In addition, the combination of both systems, together with exhaust-gas recirculation, requires a lower level of AdBlue injection and leads to a very low AdBlue consumption in comparison to other manufacturers. This enables an optimised tank size while also achieving very low emissions in real-driving conditions.
“Furthermore, BMW Group diesel vehicles have a simple refill solution through the tank lid or engine hood, depending on the model. BMW Group customers are informed by the vehicle in good time and repeatedly concerning a low AdBlue fill level. If this is ignored, the vehicle eventually prevents operation.
The automaker added that “the objective of discussions with other manufacturers concerning AdBlue tanks was the installation of the required tanking infrastructure in Europe”.
However, the BMW Group said that it would “conduct a voluntary software upgrade of suitable Euro 5 diesel passenger cars at no cost to customers”.
“This upgrade incorporates knowledge gained in the field over the last years to realise further improvements in emissions. We deem this to be a part of a comprehensive and joint plan of measures involving municipalities and the industry, to further improve inner-city air quality without across-the-board driving bans, within the context of the ‘Diesel Summit’ on 2 August 2017,” the statement concluded.
