BMW distances itself from the VW scandal
The BMW Group wanted to make it clear that its diesel models meet legal requirements. In a statement dated September 24, the BMW Group stressed it is “committed to observing the legal requirements in each country and fulfilling all local testing requirements.
“In other words, our exhaust treatment systems are active whether rolling on the test bench or driving on the road.”
The automaker went on say “Clear, binding specifications and processes are in place through all phases of development at the BMW Group in order to avoid wrongdoing.”
BMW also denied a report in a German magazine that its SUV, the X3, emitted more nitrogen oxide when tested by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
That article sent BMW shares down 10 per cent.
BMW countered “We are not familiar with the test results mentioned by Auto Bild on 24 September concerning the emissions of a BMW X3 during a road test.
“No specific details of the test have yet been provided and therefore we cannot explain these results.”
BMW said it was contacting the ICCT and asking for clarification of the test the organization carried out.
“We are willing to discuss our testing procedures with the relevant authorities and to make our vehicles available for testing at any time.”
The automaker said the two studies carried out by the ICCT confirmed that the BMW X5 and 13 other BMW vehicles tested comply with the legal requirements concerning NOx emissions.
“No discrepancies were found in the X5 between laboratory-test and field-test NOx emissions,”the automaker said.
BMW noted the importance of diesel technology in the reduction of C02 emissions in Europe.
“The 2020 targets in Europe can only be fulfilled through extensive use of modern diesel engines and further electrification.
“Meeting future requirements will not be feasible without diesel drive trains, since a diesel engine emits roughly 15 to 20 per cent less CO2 on average than a comparable petrol engine,” the automaker said.
BMW said it has invested a considerable amount in recent years in refining and optimizing diesel technology and said its diesel vehicles sales accounted for 38% of vehicles sold worldwide last year: Europe, 80 per cent; Germany 73 per cent and six per cent in the U.S. or about 20,000 vehicles in 2014.
The Euro 6 emissions standard took effect on Sept. I and is binding on all new vehicle registrations.
Finally, the automaker said it supported the introduction as quickly as possible of a new test cycle and an emissions test for real driving situations, known as “real driving emissions” or RDE.
