Some BMW diesel cars exceed European Union pollution limits by 11 times

BMW’s stock sank 5 percent Thursday after the German magazine Autobild reported that the company’s X3 xDrive polluted at more than 11 times the European standards, which are looser than USA rules.

A statement issued after the report said: “The BMW group does not manipulate or rig any emissions tests”. We observe the legal requirements in each country and adheres to all local testing requirements.

BMW said it’s not familiar with that road test and that there’s no system in its cars that responds differently to tests than it would operate on the road.

The consumer watchdog is investigating whether Australian drivers have been misled by Volkswagen. If you haven’t already heard (sarcasm), #Dieselgate is one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the auto industry, after Volkswagen Group was found cheating EPA emission tests.

To be sure, while Volkswagen intentionally misled regulators by installing the so-called “defeat device” on diesel vehicles, it’s far from clear whether BMW or other automakers have used similarly deceptive software.

Volkswagen was cited by the Environmental Protection Agency for using software to fool USA emissions tests. Auto Bild claimed BMW’s X3 diesel model violated European Union emissions standards during a road test done by the global Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).

BMW rejected the claims, saying it was not aware of the ICCT’s test results. The BMW 5-Series and Peugeot 308 achieve just under 50 percent higher than in the lab.

“All measured data suggest that this is not a VW-specific issue”, Peter Mock, the group’s Europe managing director, tells Auto Bild.

German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt has asked the federal motor transport authority to assess all VW diesel cars – but not those of other carmakers.

The relevant Euro 6 standard for diesel emissions is 0.08g/km (or 0.12g/mi).

VW, the world’s largest carmaker by sales, later admitted that up to 11 million of its vehicles worldwide were involved in the scandal.

The 68-year-old said he was “not aware of any wrong doing” on his part. I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation’.

Three men appear to have emerged as candidates.

German newspaper Das Bild reported Thursday that two high ranking managers, Audi’s R&D boss Ulrich Hackenberg, a long-time VW brand executive and Porsche’s engine chief, Wolfgang Hatz, will be dismissed at a meeting of the supervisory board on Friday.

Herbert Diess, 56, a defector from rival maker BMW who is now head of the VW brand and has a reputation as a cost-killer, has been mooted as possible candidate.