Germany: BMW denies collusion and price fixing

In the wake of the allegations reported last week of German car makers colluding to fix prices, specifically of diesel emissions systems, BMW has denied ties to the cartel.

The company admits that talks were held, but that it refrained from participating in any collusion. In a statement, the company said, “The objective of the discussions with other manufacturers concerning AdBlue tanks was the installation of the required tanking infrastructure in Europe.”

BMW went further in the same statement and announced a voluntary recall of every diesel-powered, Euro 5-era model registered in Europe. This recall includes vehicles built from 2009 to 2014, though it is currently unknown if the recall will expand beyond the EU.

BMW was emphatic in its denial, explaining that “Unlike other manufacturers, BMW Group diesel vehicles employ a combination of various components to treat exhaust emissions. Vehicles which use urea injection with AdBlue (SCR) to treat exhaust emissions also employ a NOx-storage catalytic converter.”

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