VW Is Said to Cheat on Diesel Emissions; U.S. Orders Big Recall

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Because the list of companies involved in this scandal grows longer by the week. VW, Mercedes, Audi, Bosch. European cities themselves are calling for a complete ban on diesels, regardless of what brand they are.


Link: German carmakers reportedly met in secret for years—and may have colluded on emissions

Daimler recalls three million diesels in Europe as an emissions-cheating probe heats up
Daimler recalls three million diesels in Europe as an emissions-cheating probe heats up

Audi to recall 850,000 diesel cars to update emissions software
Audi to recall 850,000 diesel cars to update emissions software

And what's the alternative to the diesel? Especially for large SUVs and heavy vehicles. Gasoline with two times higher fuel consume, or electric with the best solution to have several of them parked at different places in the state so whenever the battery is drained to take the other one and to proceed.

 

[Sunny]

^I am sure someone wondered the same when the horse carriages were being replaced by motor cars at the end of the 19 century - "what is the alternative to horses? Especially for lugging heavy loads? Motor cars with several parked in different places so when the fuel runs out you take the other one?" There were no gas stations back then, you had to go to a pharmacy and buy some ligroin or other alcohol based liquids and pour it in manually.

And yet, here we are, 100+ years later, with few of us struggling to imagine a world without the same fossil fueled motor cars. ICE powered cars didn't get here in one day. It took a century. In a fraction of that time, electric cars will be much further along. Battery capacity will go up, charging times will come down. Heck, even the roads themselves will charge the vehicles. And even the idea of having to go to a these "stations" and stand around while a flammable liquid is being pumped into your vehicle to be able to continue your journey will be laughed at.

Stop being myopic, imagine a future (and if you are not imaginative enough, watch a futuristic Hollywood movie with car chase) where cars are almost instantaneously accelerating to 300 kmph zipping along at insane cruising speeds while you sip a latte. No, that is not happening tomorrow, it will take time, but it will definitely never ever happen if we are stuck with with a fossil fueled car chugging along while me or you pull levers and push pedals.

 

[Giannis]

The latest news have VW beeing an accomplish to Brazil's military junta, taking part in repression of those opposed to the regime. More details here:

23. Juli 2017, 19:00 Uhr
Gutachten zur VW-Firmengeschichte Volkswagen als Komplize der Militärdiktatur in Brasilien

Arbeiter wurden auf dem Werksgelände festgenommen und dann gefoltert: Volkswagen half der brasilianischen Militärdiktatur offenbar aktiver als bisher bekannt.

Von Stefanie Dodt und Boris Herrmann, São Paulo
Der Volkswagen-Konzern hat sich in der Zeit der brasilianischen Militärdiktatur offenbar aktiv an politischer Verfolgung und Unterdrückung von Regime-Gegnern beteiligt. Das haben Recherchen von NDR, SWR und Süddeutscher Zeitung ergeben.

Die brasilianische VW-Tochter Volkswagen do Brasil hat demnach die eigenen Mitarbeiter und deren politische Gesinnung ausgespäht. Diese Informationen landeten, beispielsweise in Form von schwarzen Listen, bei der Politischen Polizei der Militärmachthaber. Dafür zuständig war den Recherchen zufolge der VW-Werkschutz, die Sicherheitsabteilung des Konzerns. Das Militär beherrschte Brasilien von 1964 bis 1985.

Der Staatsanwalt in São Paulo ermittelt
Außerdem hat der VW do Brasil offenbar politische Festnahmen durch die Geheimpolizei auf seinem Werksgelände bei São Paulo zugelassen. Betroffene berichten, sie seien im Anschluss monatelang gefoltert worden. Sie hatten sich in oppositionellen Gruppen engagiert und Flugblätter auf dem Werksgelände verteilt.

Die Konzernzentrale in Wolfsburg will sich bislang nicht inhaltlich zu den Vorwürfen äußern und verweist auf ein Gutachten, das bei dem Historiker Christopher Kopper von der Uni Bielefeld in Auftrag gegeben wurde. Dieser werde seine Ergebnisse bis Ende des Jahres vorlegen.

Gegenüber NDR, SWR und SZ nahm der Historiker bereits vorab Stellung zu seinen Untersuchungen: "Ich kann sagen, dass es eine regelmäßige Zusammenarbeit zwischen dem Werkschutz von VW do Brasil und dem Polizeiorgan des Regimes gab." Auch für Festnahmen auf dem Werksgelände sieht Kopper die Volkswagen AG in der Verantwortung: "Sie hat die Verhaftungen zugelassen."

Bei der Bundesstaatsanwaltschaft in São Paulo läuft ein Ermittlungsverfahren gegen VW do Brasil. Der zuständige Gutachter bestätigte: "Der Werkschutz hat agiert, als wäre er ein verlängerter Arm der Politischen Polizei innerhalb des VW-Werkes."

Source: Volkswagen als Komplize der Militärdiktatur in Brasilien

 

[SCOTT27]

Well their hookers were flown in specially from Brazil.

 

[SCOTT27]

Looks like DieselGate has cut the IAA budget. Now that BMW have moved on from the Agora Space at the Frankfurt Messe to Hall 11. Audi took up residence the past two events with their own custom-built stand allowing the VW brand to spread across Hall 3. No custom-built Audi stand this year they are back in Hall 3. Still a large Hall, but not as prominent as the past two events.

 

[Matski]

As BMWBlog has just reported, the ADAC has been testing real world emissions of Euro-6 diesel engines.

The limit of NOx that is supposed to be emitted (in NEDC non-real-world testing), is 80 mg/km (Euro 6 for diesel passenger cars since September 2014)

This is what they found...

BMW - 141 mg/km
Volkswagen - 146 mg/km
Mercedes - 149 mg/km
Opel - 236 mg/km
Peugeot/Citreon - 263 mg/km
Volvo - 364 mg/km
Hyundai/Kia - 421 mg/km
Ford - 488 mg/km
Fiat Chrysler - 561 mg/km
Renault - 684 mg/km

So while I don't have much sympathy for VW in the greater scheme of things, it is interesting to note that these days, they are among some of the cleanest diesels on the road. It also goes to show that perhaps forming a diesel cartel was actually an environmentally friendly thing to do!

 

[Mars1965]

The limit of NOx that is supposed to be emitted, is 80 mg/km.

80 mg is the limit on the test bench. Not in real world emission test.

 

[Matski]

80 mg is the limit on the test bench. Not in real world emission test.

Okay then, the source article is in German so I'm taking google translates word for it. What is the real world limit?

 

[Mars1965]

Okay then, the source article is in German so I'm taking google translates word for it. What is the real world limit?

None at the moment.

Quote ADAC:
"Die Messungen auf dem Abgasprüfstand werden durch reale Straßenmessungen (RDE, Real Driving Emissions) ergänzt. Auf dem Prüfstand werden realitätsnähere Testzyklen gefahren, der veraltete "Neue Europäische Fahrzyklus" (NEFZ) wird durch den künftigen Weltzyklus WLTC (in der Version 5.3) ersetzt. Zusätzlich wurden die Schadstoffgrenzwerte verschärft, für eine sehr gute Bewertung muss ein Auto nicht nur die Grenzwerte erfüllen, sondern spürbar unterschreiten. Die klassenabhängige CO2-Bewertung wurde abgeschafft, um alle Fahrzeuge im Test uneingeschränkt vergleichbar zu machen. Zusätzlich werden nun auch die durchschnittlichen Schadstoffemissionswerte angegeben."

"The measurements on the emission-test-bench will be added with real driving emissions (RDE). On the test bench more or less realistic driving cycles are driven. The outdated "New European Driving Cycle" (NEFZ) will be replaced by the future World Driving Cycle "WLTC" (Version 5.3). Additionally the pollution limits will be tightened. For a very good result, the car must not only fulfill the pollution limits, but be noticeably below these.
The class depending CO2-rating was abolished to unlimitedly compare all vehicles in the test. Additionaly the average Pollutant emission values will be stated."

 

[Matski]

None at the moment.

Quote ADAC:
"Die Messungen auf dem Abgasprüfstand werden durch reale Straßenmessungen (RDE, Real Driving Emissions) ergänzt. Auf dem Prüfstand werden realitätsnähere Testzyklen gefahren, der veraltete "Neue Europäische Fahrzyklus" (NEFZ) wird durch den künftigen Weltzyklus WLTC (in der Version 5.3) ersetzt. Zusätzlich wurden die Schadstoffgrenzwerte verschärft, für eine sehr gute Bewertung muss ein Auto nicht nur die Grenzwerte erfüllen, sondern spürbar unterschreiten. Die klassenabhängige CO2-Bewertung wurde abgeschafft, um alle Fahrzeuge im Test uneingeschränkt vergleichbar zu machen. Zusätzlich werden nun auch die durchschnittlichen Schadstoffemissionswerte angegeben."

"The measurements on the emission-test-bench will be added with real driving emissions (RDE). On the test bench more or less realistic driving cycles are driven. The outdated "New European Driving Cycle" (NEFZ) will be replaced by the future World Driving Cycle "WLTC" (Version 5.3). Additionally the pollution limits will be tightened. For a very good result, the car must not only fulfill the pollution limits, but be noticeably below these.
The class depending CO2-rating was abolished to unlimitedly compare all vehicles in the test. Additionaly the average Pollutant emission values will be stated."

Thanks, I've edited my post to be a little clearer (I hope!).

It really makes me wonder what kind of limit they'll set for the RDE testing? Will they keep at 80 mg/km, as that is clearly their desired goal - or are they going to be more reasonable? It's clear that setting a realistic limit of ~150mg/km would still lead to a great deal less total emissions from the more polluting manufacturers.

 

[Deleted member 25]

As BMWBlog has just reported, the ADAC has been testing real world emissions of Euro-6 diesel engines.

The limit of NOx that is supposed to be emitted (in NEDC non-real-world testing), is 80 mg/km (Euro 6 for diesel passenger cars since September 2014)

This is what they found...

BMW - 141 mg/km
Volkswagen - 146 mg/km
Mercedes - 149 mg/km
Opel - 236 mg/km
Peugeot/Citreon - 263 mg/km
Volvo - 364 mg/km
Hyundai/Kia - 421 mg/km
Ford - 488 mg/km
Fiat Chrysler - 561 mg/km
Renault - 684 mg/km

So while I don't have much sympathy for VW in the greater scheme of things, it is interesting to note that these days, they are among some of the cleanest diesels on the road. It also goes to show that perhaps forming a diesel cartel was actually an environmentally friendly thing to do!

Lol, so much for the evil cartel.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Okay then, the source article is in German so I'm taking google translates word for it. What is the real world limit?

It is assumed that the limit in the real world driving is 3 times higher than that of the test bench.
Otherwise this survey is pure PR for VW, because in it there are no one from the VW engines equipped with the cheating device, but only their latest technology

 

[Gianclaudio]

Sure ADAC, I believe you.....

German auto club head quits in scandal over poll | Daily Mail Online

 

[tristatez28lt1]

That was a long time ago...I believe their testing is accurate.

 

[Gianclaudio]

That was a long time ago...I believe their testing is accurate.

I simply don't, my dearest friend.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Audi, shaken by emissions scandal, reshuffles management board

Audi, shaken by emissions scandal, reshuffles management board
But the CEO has the backing of the Porsche and Piech families and will stay

FRANKFURT — Volkswagen's premium carmaker Audi announced its biggest management reshuffle in years on Monday as it seeks a fresh start in the aftermath of the diesel emissions scandal.

Audi, which is the biggest contributor of profits to VW, said it was replacing finance chief Axel Strotbek, production chief Hubert Waltl, human resources head Thomas Sigi and sales chief Dietmar Voggenreiter, effective Sept. 1.

Chief Executive Rupert Stadler (shown below), who has come under fire from the media and unions for his handling of the group's emissions scandal, remains in office, as expected.

The statement gave no reason for the shake-up.

People familiar with the matter had flagged the management reshuffle to Reuters. One said that Stadler had the backing of the Porsche and Piech families that control Volkswagen, which is why his contract was extended by another five years in May.

Audi is grappling with car recalls, prosecutor investigations and criticism from unions and managers over the diesel emissions scandal and its performance since news of the affair broke in 2015.

Audi admitted in November 2015 that its 3.0 litre V6 diesel engines were fitted with an auxiliary control device deemed illegal in the United States that allowed vehicles to evade U.S. emissions limits.

Parent Volkswagen has agreed to spend up to $25 billion in the United States to address claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers and has offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting U.S. vehicles.

Audi named VW manager Wendelin Goebel, a confidant of VW CEO Matthias Mueller and Audi's Stadler, to replace Sigi as personnel chief. Peter Koessler, the chief of Audi's plant in Gyor, Hungary, will succeed Waltl as head of production.

VW commercial vehicles sales chief Bram Schot will take over Voggenreiter's job, and CFO Strotbek will be succeeded by Alexander Seitz, who has held positions in Latin America and at Chinese joint venture SAIC Volkswagen, according to Audi.

Reporting by Maria Sheahan

 

[Matski]

Probably a minor pain in the ass for VW, but still...

Campaigners climb on ship in car protest

VW diesel car protest: Greenpeace members climb on boat

Environmental protesters have climbed on to a ship at a Kent port transporting diesel cars from Germany.

Greenpeace said campaigners had boarded the ship at Sheerness in Kent and were preventing the unloading of the cars.

The group said it would not leave the ship until Volkswagen agreed to return the cars to Germany.

More than 40 people are "attempting to immobilise all the VW diesel cars by removing their keys", a Greenpeace spokesman said.

Kent Police said it had received reports of a protest at the Port of Sheerness at 08:52 BST and officers were at the scene.

Greenpeace said 25 volunteers had boarded the 23,000-tonne ship in the Thames Estuary and were now hanging from the 27m-high unloading doors.

The Greenpeace spokesman added: "Simultaneously, 41 volunteers have scaled the fences at Sheerness port in Kent - the intended destination of the ship -and gained access to the vehicle park, where several thousand VW diesel cars are awaiting distribution to suppliers."

Volkswagen has been contacted by the BBC but has yet to comment.

A spokeswoman for Peel Ports, which owns the Port of Sheerness, said, "We can confirm that Greenpeace protesters have illegally entered secure areas of the Port of Sheerness. These areas are restricted to ensure that UK border security is preserved.

"We are working with the police, Greenpeace and Volkswagen to resolve the situation."

In September 2015 VW admitted to US regulators it had cheated on emissions tests there using software installed in as many as 11 million diesel vehicles sold worldwide - the majority of them in Europe.

In March the company pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, obstruction of justice and entry of goods by false statement as part of a $4.3bn (£3.5bn) agreement with the US regulators over the scandal.

 

[SCOTT27]

Could they not ram the ship into a bridge or something slowly. The Polizei in Frankfurt made short work of the Greenpeace/Antifa invasion at the IAA.

 

[Giannis]

So, when is this going to stop?

EU fines VW’s Scania €880m over truck cartel claims

Brussels fined Scania €880m, saying it had participated in a 14-year long cartel to fix prices and pass on the costs of new emissions-reducing technology.

Five other truck companies settled in July last year for a record €2.9bn cartel fine, but Scania, which is owned by VW, denies any wrongdoing and says it will appeal the EU’s decision.

The EU alleges that the companies colluded from January 1997 through January 2011 to coordinate prices and timing of the new emission-reducing technology of medium and heavy trucks.

Margrethe Vestager, European competition commissioner said:

Scania and the other truck manufacturers in the cartel produce more than 9 out of every 10 medium and heavy trucks sold in Europe. These trucks account for around three quarters of inland transport of goods in Europe and play a vital role in the European economy. Instead of colluding on pricing, the truck manufacturers should have been competing against each other – also on environmental improvements.

A Scania spokesman said the company plans to appeal on two grounds.

“Scania has not on any level or in any context entered into an agreement with other manufacturers with regard to pricing [and] Scania has also not delayed the introduction of new engines compliant with EU legislation for exhaust emissions.”

The cartel decision has opened the manufacturers who settled to damages claims from trucks buyers around Europe. There are 600,000 haulers around the continent, most of which are small businesses.

The UK’s Road Haulage Association, which represents lorry drivers, is seeking £3.9bn in compensation from all six truck companies in a case before the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal. The RHA is seeking £6,000 compensation for each of the nearly 650,000 lorries sold in the UK between 1997 and 2011.

European officials raided the truck companies’ offices in 2011 and sent a charge sheet to the parties in November 2014. Senior managers at the truck companies allegedly exchanged information in person or over the phone during the first eight years of the cartel. After 2004 the group communicated electronically via their German subsidiaries, the EU claims.

EU rules allow Brussels to levy a fine of up to 10 per cent of global turnover. By choosing not to settle, Scania missed out on a reduction in its potential fine.

The five other cartel members’ charges were reduced based on when they applied for leniency and their level of cooperation with officials during the settlement process. As the whistleblower in the case VW-owned MAN avoided its entire €1.2bn penalty.

Fines to the other members of the group were reduced between 50 to 10 per cent: Volvo/Renault paid €676m, Daimler was fined €1bn, Iveco’s levy was €465m and DAF’s bill was €753m.

Source: Subscribe to read

Also: VW’s Scania Fined $1.03 Billion by EU for Price Fixing

And: VW's Scania truck firm fined €880m by EU for price fixing

And: VW's truckmaker Scania fined $1 billion for price fixing

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

So, when is this going to stop?



Source: Subscribe to read

Also: VW’s Scania Fined $1.03 Billion by EU for Price Fixing

And: VW's Scania truck firm fined €880m by EU for price fixing

And: VW's truckmaker Scania fined $1 billion for price fixing

When the companies stop acting illegally