For the last few days, news outlets have reported suspected collusion among German automakers concerning diesel vehicles. Some of the stories have outright accused the BMW Group, Daimler, and the Volkswagen Group of conspiracies leading directly to the Volkswagen diesel-emissions cheating scandal that broke in 2015. Other agencies only reported that the European Union (EU) was investigating the matter.
Reuters reported that this latest EU investigation was prompted by an Audi presentation that was seized in raids on Volkswagen as part of the VW investigation. The April 2010 document allegedly refers to a commitment at the management level of a number of German automakers regarding the future adoption of a specific type of emission-reducing catalytic converter.
Other news agencies are speculating that the German companies agreed to limit the size of diesel exhaust fluid (also called AdBlue) tanks so that the fluid would not last until the next oil change unless the vehicle's computer was programmed to use less of it at times, thereby increasing emissions.
At this point, we do not know what evidence EU investigators have concerning which companies. We know that Volkswagen offices were raided more than a year ago. In the past month or so, we know that Daimler offices in Germany were raided and that Mercedes-Benz decided to not offer any new diesel models in the U.S. this year.
All we know for sure about BMW is that U.S. deliveries of X5 and 3 Series diesels were delayed at the end of 2016 until the U.S. government was satisfied with the test results. We have read no reports that BMW offices anywhere were raided.
We also know that since emissions testing for certification began, both in Europe and the U.S., that under the strict test conditions, vehicles emitted less CO2 than in real-world driving, but that was a function of the testing rules and government agencies not instituting actual road testing for emissions. Also, while testing concentrated on CO2 emissions, more recently many countries and cities have become equally as concerned about nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
Earlier this month, BMW reached an agreement to retrofit older diesels with newer, more efficient software in an attempt to stave off a diesel ban in Munich and other German cities. Daimler and Audi both followed with announcements of similar programs. Whether these actions had anything to do with the EU investigation of German automaker collusion, we do not know.
Given all that, we are in receipt of a statement from the BMW Group that addresses the reports of emissions manipulation and too-small AdBlue tanks. Here is that statement:
"Due to current media reports, the BMW Group considers it has become necessary to make its position regarding recent allegations clear.
"As a matter of principle: 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 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. 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 fulfill 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.
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 optimized 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.
"From a BMW Group perspective, the objective of discussions with other manufacturers concerning AdBlue tanks was the installation of the required tanking infrastructure in Europe.
"In addition, the BMW Group confirms its commitment to 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 realize 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."
BMW appears to be relying on the fact that its AdBlue tanks are of adequate size and that the emissions control systems on its diesels are different than those on other German diesel manufacturers to refute the claim of collusion.
We would also offer the opinion that if companies conspire to limit costs of components in order to cheat on emissions testing then they are wrong and should be punished. But if they agree to limit component costs to keep consumer costs down or increase profits, that doesn't sound like such a bad thing. If fact, we know that BMW and Daimler design their vehicles to use some of the same components from suppliers just for those purposes.
We hope that any criminal actions by carmakers proven by these investigations result in appropriate punishments. We also hope that these investigators, if they find no evidence of criminal actions, also make that public and that the entire business is conducted completely, professionally, and in a timely manner. Yes, we know. That's a lot to hope for.—Scott Blazey
[Photo courtesy of BMW AG.]
