An employee holds a BMW logo on the production line of the BMW C evolution electric maxi-scooter at the BMW Berlin motorcycle plant, February 23, 2015 (REUTERS / Fabrizio Bensch)
Frankfurt: German carmaker BMW yesterday rejected media reports that the emissions treatment systems in its vehicles did not work effectively and that it colluded with rivals on their design and prices.
Der Spiegel magazine reported on Friday that BMW, VW , Audi and Porsche may have colluded to fix the prices and designs of diesel emissions treatment systems and other vehicle parts.
“Cars of the BMW Group are not being manipulated and are in line with the applicable legal requirements,” BMW said in a statement.
The European Commission said on Saturday that EU antitrust regulators were investigating the allegations and German politicians have called for transparency and punishment in the event of wrongdoing.
Vehicle emissions have come under closer scrutiny worldwide since Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 to installing illegal software to cheat U S emissions tests on diesel cars.
German trade magazine Auto Bild said earlier on Thursday that BMW’s X3 xDrive 20d model exceeded “Euro 6” emissions limits more than 11-fold