The impact of Volkswagen’s actions to cheat emissions testing via software installed in more than 11 million of its vehicles is being felt by carmakers across Europe. A German magazine, Auto Bild, reported that the International Council on Clean Transportation found some BMW diesel engines had “significantly” exceeded regulatory emissions limits. However, BMW issued a statement that the auto maker did not manipulate any emissions tests and was not familiar with the test that was conducted on its vehicles.
Cohen & Malad, LLP has filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen on behalf of motorists for its failure to meet clean air emissions standards by installing software on certain diesel engine models that turned on full pollution controls only when official emissions testing was being conducted. In some instances, these engines could release up to 40 times the legal limits of pollutants into the atmosphere. Since admitting to this deceptive practice the CEO of Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, has resigned from his position.