French Prosecutors Are Investigating Renault Over Possible Emissions Fiddling

A day after the EPA announced it was to investigate FCA over possible emissions fiddling, it's emerged French authorities are now investigating Renault for foul play with its diesel engines

Matt Robinson

13 Jan 2017

French Prosecutors Are Investigating Renault Over Possible Emissions Fiddling

January has not been a good month for the beleaguered diesel engine. We had top VW employees getting arrested last week, the EPA publicly accusing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of using software that alters emissions levels yesterday, and now it’s the turn of Renault.

The French manufacturer had its offices raided last year, and although nothing became of that whole saga, Renault is back in the spotlight for the wrong reasons once more. France’s Public Prosecutor has opened a fresh investigation into Renault, amid new claims it has cheated emissions tests with its diesel engines.

Responding to the news, Groupe Renault released the following statement, in a handy list format…

Groupe Renault, which intends to protect its rights, reminds its constant position.
Renault complies with French and European regulations.
Renault vehicles are all and have always been homologated in accordance with the laws and regulations. They are compliant with the applicable standards.
Renault vehicles are not equipped with cheating software affecting anti-pollution systems.
The States, European Commission, Regulation Authorities and automotive manufacturers all share the opinion that the requirements of the applicable regulations need to be strengthened. This is the purpose of the future Euro6d Regulation.
Groupe Renault reminds that in March 2016 it submitted to the panel of the independent technical commission a complete nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission reduction plan for its Euro6b diesel vehicles in customer use, which has been deemed transparent, satisfactory and credible.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH GREENPEACE.

I have the weapon

well fck, hope this doesn’t mean the end of the Reanult Sport F1 team probably won’t*

First VAG, then Mitsubishi, then FCA, now Renault…

Can’t we just say everyone cheated on diesel emmisions and close this case forever?

No, I want to see the faces of Prius owners when they confirm that Toyota also cheated and that the Prius was among those cars huehuehuehue

What you wrote is terribly oversimplified. If everyone cheats doesn’t mean everyone should be acquitted. “But the other people were braking the law too” is not a valid excuse. Quite the opposite actually.
Now, the problem is that you can’t just go to the front door of a huge car company and say “Other car companies were cheating, you are a car company, ergo you cheated. Guilty” without any tests and without a trial. These law cases have to be done for each company on their own.