BMW stays clean in diesel engine allegations

BMW Group makes a statement regarding allegations that they manipulated emissions on their diesel engine in the BMW X3. The German magazine Auto Bild said last week there may have been irregularities in their diesel testing. Now, Auto Bild has published a clarification of their article released September 24 concerning the emissions of a BMW X3 diesel.

Auto Bild states: “There is no evidence of emission manipulation by BMW. The values mentioned in the document were only generated in a single, one hour-long road test. Auto BILD has no access to the details of this test trail, which might explain the discrepancies to the test cycle New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).” 

BMW says they are “committed to observing the legal requirements in each country and fulfilling all local testing requirements.” BMW states their exhaust treatment systems are active both on the test bench and on the road. BMW says they have nothing to hide as “clear, binding specifications and processes are in place through all phases of development at the BMW Group.”

There have been two studies carried out by the ICCT (International Council on Clean Transportation) that confirm the BMW X5 and 13 other BMW vehicles like the 2016 BMW 328d tested comply with the legal requirements concerning NOx emissions. BMW says no discrepancies were found in the X5 between laboratory-test and field-test NOx emissions.

Diesel technology is big business at BMW as the oil burners accounted for 38 percent of vehicles sold worldwide last year. In Europe, a whopping 80 percent are diesels, Germany 73 percent and in the U.S. only 6 percent have diesel powerplants. This represents approximately 20,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year like the 2016 BMW 328d. BMW says, “We are willing to discuss our testing procedures with the relevant authorities and to make our vehicles available for testing at any time.”

Media source: BMW Group