PSA has responded to the decision made by the French Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of fraud department (DGCCRF) with surprise at the decision to send the conclusions of its internal investigation to the public prosecutor. PSA has made it clear that it would like to emphasise the Group complies with the regulations in force in all countries where it operates, and that its vehicles have never been equipped with software or devices to detect a compliance test and to activate a pollutant treatment device that would be inactive in customer use.
The results of the tests carried out by different European and French authorities have confirmed that the Group’s vehicles comply with regulatory tests criteria. PSA understands that the DGCCRF’s inquiries concern the diesel engines of the old generation Euro5 (standard in force from 2009 to 2015). However, the tests carried out recently on a Euro5 vehicle by the IFPEN did not reveal any anomaly.
The test results are consistent with the PSA Group’s approach – which has been explained to the various authorities and the media – of setting engine parameters according to real-life driver behaviour.
The group states that its engines are developed with a priority focus on reducing NOx emissions (nitrogen oxides) in urban environments, while offering the best NOx / CO2 balance under extra-urban conditions over a wide temperature range and without any discontinuity.
In addition, PSA Group has made the commitment, three years earlier than required, to comply with the real driving emissions (RDE) type-approval requirement (pictured) that will come into effect in 2020 as part of the future standard. This new procedure will replace the current procedure, which is not representative of customer use.
“We are surprised by the announcement, particularly as PSA is proud to be the forerunner in the development of pollution-reducing technologies such as the particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction (SCR), as well as the leader in reducing CO2 emissions, and the pioneer in transparency with its customers on consumption in real use,” explained Gilles Le Borgne, executive vice-president, Research & Development. “As France’s leading car exporter, PSA will therefore fight to defend its technologies, its know-how and its competitiveness in support of French industry.”