VW, BMW and Daimler colluded over AdBlue emissions

The Volkswagen Group and BMW have been fined £725 million by the European Commission for collusion around curbing the implementation of AdBlue emissions-reducing technology. Daimler blew the whistle on them, and was also part of the discussions, but escaped without a fine. According to reports, the Volkswagen Group is considering appealing the decision.

The European Commission said BMW, Daimler, Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen “illegally colluded to restrict competition” around the reduction of diesel emissions. This included regular meetings where the sizes of AdBlue tanks and AdBlue consumption for future models were discussed, so that while the carmakers knew using more AdBlue could reduce emissions more effectively, they colluded to only hit minimum legal standards. This is said to have taken place between 2009 and 2014.

“This cartel aimed at restricting competition on this key parameter” said the Commission, who commented, “In today's world, polluting less is an important characteristic of any car.” Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s antitrust boss said the manufacturers “possessed the technology to reduce harmful emissions beyond what was legally required under EU emission standards” but they avoided “using the technology’s full potential.”

However, VW has allegedly said “the contents of the talks were never implemented and customers were therefore never harmed." The organisation instead claims the tank sizes and AdBlue ranges installed in customer cars were two to three times larger than discussed during the controversial meetings.