The European Commission fined five automakers 875 million euros

German carmaker violated EU antitrust rules by restricting competition in carbon cleanup for new light diesel vehicles, and fined BMW and Volkswagen Group 875 million euro.

“Five car manufacturers Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche had technology to reduce harmful emissions. But they avoided competition to use the full potential of this technology,” – quoted Reuters head of the EU antitrust committee Margrethe Vestager. Daimler was not fined, she said, as it assisted in disclosing the existence of the cartel.

Vestager also indicated that the competent authorities would investigate why legitimate technical cooperation went wrong. The European Commission will not tolerate companies colluding.