2:57 pm, February 25, 2019
GERMAN prosecutors have fined carmaker BMW 8.5 million euros for lax oversight in installing defective engine software that led to excessive diesel emissions in 7,965 cars.
The prosecutors said they found no evidence that the Munich-based carmaker committed fraud but faulted the company for what they called insufficient quality control.
BMW said it ‘has consistently emphasised that the installation of the incorrect software module was a frustrating and highly regrettable error’, adding that it ‘accepts the penalty and will not appeal’.
The fine – equivalent to some £7.3m – is small compared with the 27.4 billion euros (circa £23.8bn) in fines and settlements paid in the US and elsewhere by Volkswagen, which admitted intentionally manipulating engine software so that diesel cars could pass emissions tests.
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