Dirty Diesel Report Sinking BMW As Volkswagen Fallout Grows

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

German magazine Auto Bild reported Thursday that the diesel BMW X3 exceeded by 11 times allowable limits of nitrogen oxide in a growing scandal started by Volkswagen’s admission it had cheated on emissions tests. BMW shares tumbled 5 percent Thursday morning after the news.

“All measured data suggest that this is not a VW-specific issue,” International Council on Clean Transportation Europe Managing Director Peter Mock told the German magazine.

BMW denied any deception, telling USA Today in an email that it “does not manipulate or rig any emissions tests.

“We observe the legal requirements in each country and adhere to all local testing requirements,” BMW said in a statement. “When it comes to our vehicles, there is no difference in the treatment of exhaust emissions whether they are on rollers or on the road.”BMW said it would ask ICCT “for clarification of the test they carried out.”

In its 133-page May 2014 report, researchers at West Virginia University found that a diesel model of the BMW X5 generally met or exceeded legal standards along with 13 other vehicles.

Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • DeeDub DeeDub on Sep 24, 2015

    That photo says that BMW has no idea how fog lights work.

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    • Redav Redav on Sep 25, 2015

      @Sigivald However, if so, it doesn't preclude them from making them capable of making them 'right.' They had a reason to do what they did. I don't know what that reason is, but it certainly could be a decision-maker saying: "Oh, you don't know how to design fog lights? Doesn't matter, so long as they're there."

  • Bludragon Bludragon on Sep 24, 2015

    This is interesting: "In fact just three out of 23 tested vehicles met the new standards when tested on the road. The main reason is Europe’s testing system is obsolete, allowing carmakers to use cheaper, less effective exhaust treatment systems in cars sold in Europe, according to newly released data. In contrast, diesel cars sold by the same manufacturers in the US, where limits are tighter and tests are more rigorous, have better exhaust treatment systems and produce lower emissions." http://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/dont-breathe-here-tackling-air-pollution-vehicles The disappointing part is that there is really no information on how they obtained those results.

  • Rpn453 Rpn453 on Sep 24, 2015

    "Diesel gas sucks my ass!" - Adam Sandler

  • RideHeight RideHeight on Sep 24, 2015

    Now that it's clear Clean Diesel is a fraud unless wimpy performance is acceptable, why would anyone in the US choose diesel for a passenger car?

    • Pch101 Pch101 on Sep 24, 2015

      What's clear is that it costs money to clean up diesel exhaust and that VW didn't want to spend it.

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