A number of German automakers are recalling a number of diesel vehicles to tweak the engine management software to produce less nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Reuters reports that Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Porsche, and Volkswagen have agreed to recall 630,000 diesel vehicles to tweak engine management software.

 

The software in question can turn off emission treatment systems to improve engine performance and increase the services interval. Is it legal? Yes, thanks to a legal loophole that allows automakers to throttle back emission treatment systems in certain situations to protect engines. This was discovered in various European emission tests.

 

In light of the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal, environmental groups and regulators aren't too pleased with automakers using this loophole. In fact, the German motor transport authority (KBA) has questioned whether this loophole could be fully justified.

 

Source: Reuters

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OUCH and Diesel will take another big hit, Expect billions more to be spent by the Euro auto companies to deal with this mess.

 

I think we will see a decline in Diesel even in Europe as auto companies look to Hybrid  and long term to EVs to meet government regulations.

Diesel cars could end up dead in the next 5-10 years.  Hybrid and plug in is getting better and better.  Once electrification gets more wide spread in the 2020s, the diesel car will be going away.  So then you wonder about diesel SUVs and pick ups like the Ram or Colorado.  I would guess they would move to a plug-in hybrid set up too.

I really think the Technology has taken another big leap in terms of hybrids.  The 2016 Prius gained ten miles per gallon over the previous car, the new Volt is an order of magnitude better, and more car makers are bringing these mainstream. We thought about a Cruze Diesel to replace the TDI we are selling back to VW, but the Hybrids are much better.