More trouble for European automakers. In the background there is always the Dieselgate affair, and this time the EU commission has opened a formal investigation even suspecting an agreement between some groups, in this case BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen (also owner, among others, of the Audi and Porsche brands, also involved in the investigation), to avoid competing in the development of technology to clean petrol and diesel emissions from cars. A sort of cartel against the environment, which obviously violates EU rules not only with regard to emissions but in this case above all with regard to competition.
"If confirmed, their collusion may have denied consumers the opportunity to buy cleaner cars, despite the technology available to manufacturers," he said. European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager. The car manufacturers are all German and the investigation, which started last October, almost a year ago, focuses on information indicating how the so-called "circle of five" participated in meetings in which they discussed, among other things, the development and introduction of technologies to limit harmful emissions. In particular, the Commission is assessing whether the companies have made agreements to limit the development of selective catalytic reduction of toxic emissions and particulate filter systems for petrol engines.
