Brussels (AFP)

Brussels on Thursday imposed fines of 502 million euros on German carmaker Volkswagen and 373 million on 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.

The European Commission explained that these three groups are guilty of "violating EU rules on anti-competitive practices by consulting on technical development in the field of cleaning nitrogen oxide emissions".

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 the first European manufacturer to recognize the rigging of its engines to circumvent anti-pollution standards.

Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler (Mercedes) "have met regularly to discuss the development of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, which eliminates harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from car exhaust fumes. diesel engine by the injection of urea (also called "AdBlue") ", underlined the European executive in a press release.

- Do not clean up more than necessary -

"During these meetings, and for more than five years, the car manufacturers consulted together" in order not to clean up more than the regulations required, the same source said.

# photo1

These groups "had the technology to reduce harmful emissions beyond what was legally required by EU emission standards. But they avoided competing with each other by not using the full potential of this. technology to go further than the legally prescribed level of purification, "said Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager at a press conference.

By choosing to reveal the case, Daimler was granted full immunity, avoiding a fine of around 727 million euros.

"All the parties have recognized their participation in the cartel and have agreed to settle the case by transaction," the Commission further argued, which rules out possible challenges to the penalties in court and reduces the duration and cost of the dispute. procedure.

This transaction allowed BMW and Volkswagen to see the amount of their fine reduced by 10%.

This is the first time that Brussels has come to the conclusion that collusion on technical development constitutes a cartel.

- New cheating -

The environmental NGO Transport & Environment denounced a new cheating after the Dieselgate scandal and regretted that we cannot "trust manufacturers to make cars less polluting".

# photo2

"They first cheated on the emissions tests, then agreed to delay the arrival of cleaner vehicles when they had the necessary technology", reacted Julia Poliscanova, responsible for the automotive file for the NGO.

For its part, BMW defended itself by noting that the investigation concerned only possible infringements of competition law.

"Unlike some competitors, the BMW group has never considered using illegal devices to control emissions" polluting, said the manufacturer in a press release, dissociating itself from Volkswagen and Dieselgate.

Brussels must propose on July 14 a tightening of CO2 emissions standards which should lead to the elimination of all heat engines, in favor of electric cars, over the next decade in order to fight against climate change.

© 2021 AFP