What did BMW know about collusion in the diesel scandal? Internal documents show how actively the Group debated a dosing strategy with Daimler and Audi. The Munich is even attributed a leadership role.
BMW CEO Harald Krüger (center) framed by Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche (left) and VW CEO Matthias Müller (right)
Sunday, 30.07.2017
16:13 clock
BMW boss Harald Krüger sees his company unjustified under general suspicion since the automakers Volkswagen and Daimler wrestle with the scandal over manipulated diesel models and collusion. BMW did not manipulate anyone car cartel belongs.
Internal documents available to SPIEGEL raise doubts as to whether the Munich-based automaker actually knew nothing. So on the edge, as BMW represents it, the group was probably not. According to an internal e-mail, BMW was actively involved in the debate over a dosing strategy for the nitrogen oxide-lowering AdBlue.
BMW, Daimler and Audi have therefore voted as they could explain to authorities a lower dosage of AdBlue (urea). AdBlue is needed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in diesel cars. Even trickier for BMW: The Munich might even have a leading role.
In a twelve-page presentation by BMW for the US market on April 4, 2007, the Group shows how a lesser use of AdBlue should be argued. An e-mail between managers from Audi and Volkswagen from the same day reveals the background: This is the “jointly developed proposal to check the plausibility of the AdBlue dosing quantity”. And further: “the driver role is held by the colleagues of BMW,” writes the author, a manager from Audi.
BMW had last emphasized, discussions with other manufacturers over AdBlue containers aimed from the point of view of the group on the necessary structure of a refueling infrastructure in Europe. At the same time, BMW warned against a “scandalization of the diesel engine”. A specific technology at BMW ensures low emissions in real operation. The “Bild am Sonntag” also reports on the new documents, which brings the Munich Group in connection with the emissions scandal. (Read hereagainst which German car companies is already being investigated.)
Technical arguments for dosing strategy
Whether BMW later applied the dosing strategy in his vehicles does not follow from the document. The group itself denies that. So far, there are no tests that point to it.
The fact is that the German car companies VW, Audi, BMW and Daimler had agreed at least since 2006 to SPIEGEL information to use in the exhaust gas purification of diesel models by AdBlue for cost and space reasons as small as possible tanks for urea. In order that car owners would not be forced to refuel new urea at short intervals, the car managers apparently developed additional dosing strategies.
An economical dosage results in less nitrogen oxides being purified. Depending on the system settings, exhaust limits may only be met on the test bench and off the road.
The documents of the managers from aggregate development and approval of the corporations published in 2007 show how they wanted to explain their dosing strategy. Thus, the authorities should be convinced with technical arguments – among other things, with otherwise resulting deposits or incomplete treatment.
Operating modes with different levels of nitric oxide cleaning
The document contains a description of two modes in which AdBlue should be injected differently: level operation and online dosage. In the first place, the managers state, work the system with maximum efficiency. Quite different in the second mode: there, so write the technicians, change the control unit in a dosing mode, which is fundamentally different. Next they write: “A disadvantage is a lower efficiency in this mode.” Then, therefore, the nitrogen oxide emissions are not lowered so much.
Within one month, until mid-May, the compiled arguments should lead to a first presentation concept for the authorities. However, the arguments, they warned in their letter, were “intended for internal discussion” and should not “be shown to the authority in this level of detail!”
BMW rejects allegations in connection with the documents that have now surfaced. The vehicles of the manufacturer correspond to the respective legal requirements. The presentation of 2007 does not allow conclusions to be drawn about inadmissible technical procedures for diesel exhaust gas purification.
The goal, according to BMW, was solely the transparent processing of US legal requirements. The listed operating modes are not per se to be equated with unlawful behavior. Crucial is the implementation by the manufacturer. In fact, the emission control system for BMW diesel vehicles differs from other manufacturers’ components.
The dosing strategy for balancing the small AdBlue tanks had recently brought the supplier Bosch into distress as a result of the pending letter from a VW manager – and at the same time the possible illegality of the plans shown. After a meeting of Daimler, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Bosch in 2006, a VW manager stated: “Everyone wants a limitation of the AdBlue injection” because of the limited size of the urea tanks “. Nobody wants to report the true motivation of this limitation to the authorities.