REUTERS: EU fines Volkswagen, BMW $1 bln for emissions cartel (Daimler gets off fine after blowing whistle on cartel)

[wemay]

EU fines Volkswagen, BMW $1 bln for emissions cartel

The European Commission fined German carmakers Volkswagen and BMW a total of 875 million euros ($1 billion) on Thursday for colluding to curb the use of emissions cleaning technology they had developed.

www.reuters.com

"Under a settlement, Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) will pay a fine of 502 million euros and BMW (BMWG.DE) 373 million euros. Daimler, also part of the cartel, was not fined after revealing its existence."

I wonder which (if any) companies are worried on this side of the pond and in ASIA for like "collusion".

 

[555]

Link doesn't work.
"We can't find that page" message.

 

[xgmad]

Darn, Volkswagens produce the most robust and totally more reliable cars than any other car brand has in the past 3 decades. They are so fuel efficient that they pollute more into the air so they say, though all Volkswagens are the best when it comes to making the least polluting automobiles, so much so that even the epa has to step in to continue the asian and american car monopoly!

Asian and American cars cannot compete the most ridiculous and rigorous standards that volkswagen has in regards to reliability and powwaaah!

Shall the 1.4 tsi replace the inferior inline 6 in a semi truck one day!

 

[oggb]

Fine BMW a little extra for that hideous new M3 while you're at it, please.

 

[kschachn]

A billion dollar fine for making something "less convenient"?

I agree with VW...

"The nub of the carmakers' complaints boil down to whether setting common technical standards amounts to anti-competitive behaviour - or whether indeed it makes it easier for an industry as a whole to embrace new technology.

The Commission said in its 2019 charge sheet that the German carmakers had colluded to restrict the size of AdBlue tanks between 2006 and 2014, thus making the urea-based additive less convenient to use."

VW said:

"The Commission is entering new judicial territory, because it is treating technical cooperation for the first time as an antitrust violation," Volkswagen said, adding that the fines had been set even though no customers had suffered any harm."

There is no violation of any emissions regulation here whatsoever, they are accused of colluding to require the motorist to fill the DEF tank somewhat more frequently.

 

[wemay]

Link doesn't work.
"We can't find that page" message.

works fine for me...hmmm.

 

[BISCUT]

Something doesn't smell right here......

 

[wemay]

A billion dollar fine for making something "less convenient"?

I agree with VW...

"The nub of the carmakers' complaints boil down to whether setting common technical standards amounts to anti-competitive behaviour - or whether indeed it makes it easier for an industry as a whole to embrace new technology.

The Commission said in its 2019 charge sheet that the German carmakers had colluded to restrict the size of AdBlue tanks between 2006 and 2014, thus making the urea-based additive less convenient to use."

VW said:

"The Commission is entering new judicial territory, because it is treating technical cooperation for the first time as an antitrust violation," Volkswagen said, adding that the fines had been set even though no customers had suffered any harm."

There is no violation of any emissions regulation here whatsoever.

This will be in appeals for some time, i'm sure. But how much of this can one company withstand...

 

[555]

works fine for me...hmmm.

Works now. Don't know what that was about.
About the article, not stellar reputations for any involved.
If "dieselgate" didn't happen I wonder if this would even be a story, but now every aspect of diesel vehicles are under scrutiny.

 

[KCJeep]

I honestly don't know how automakers ever make any money.

 

[Jetronic]

Buy a spare part at the dealer, then it'll come to you.

 

[Trav]

Their only mistake was letting MB into the scheme. The first hint of the bright light bulb and rubber hose and they folded up like a cheap tent.

 

[skyactiv]

Where does the money go?

 

[Markopolo]

Where does the money go?

Lining the pockets of politicians whose jets produce more emissions than any car will.

 

[PimTac]

So Stellantis gets off without paying a fine because they were a rat fink?

This in some ways reminds me of how Nissan Renault got a hold of Mitsubishi.

 

[Jetronic]

daimler-benz isn't part of stellantis... in fact no stellantis involved

 

[Propflux01]

Something doesn't smell right here......

Prolly that urea-based additive

 

[BISCUT]

Prolly that urea-based additive

Now, please complete the line by telling me it's raining.

 

[Skippy722]

So Stellantis gets off without paying a fine because they were a rat fink?

This in some ways reminds me of how Nissan Renault got a hold of Mitsubishi.

If you read the article, it’s between VW, BMW, and Daimler. Stellantis wasn’t even a thought a decade ago.

 

[Trav]

Now, please complete the line by telling me it's raining.

True, better than stopping to take a whiz in the bushes, just make like you are doing something to the car.