Skip to main content

Germany complains, EU delays new emissions standards, then Ford and greenies complain

Land Rover Engine
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recently, we had reported that the new European Union automotive emissions standards would mean that cars like the Land Rover V6 diesel hybrids would be making their way Stateside. The new emissions regulations would set the average fleet CO2 emissions to 95 grams per kilometer, similar to that of the stringent U.S. regulations, allowing automakers to easily comply with both, opening up the market across the pond.

Today we have learned that Germany moved late to block the standards, which would go into effect in 2020. German Chancellor Angela Merkel accused the standards of unfairly favoring PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat, as those automakers, unlike Germany’s big brands, make small, efficient cars, making compliance easy.

Merkel believes the new regulations would cost Germans their jobs in the automotive sector. “At a time when we’re spending days sitting here talking about employment, we have to take care that, notwithstanding the need to make progress on environmental protection, we don’t weaken our own industrial base,” Merkel said in a European Automotive News report.

Ford, along with eco activists, isn’t happy with Germany’s last minute move. “As a company committed to meaningful CO2 emission reductions through advanced technology, Ford is disappointed. We will now have to regroup within the industry to determine the next steps,” Ford said.

Does this mean that the new diesel products we were hoping to see head Stateside in the next few years will be curbed? Most likely. Automakers aren’t keen on spending money to clean up their vehicles if they don’t have to, sadly. Some might continue on the original path but surely others will sit back on their laurels for the time being and do nothing more.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more