Opel has responded to the reports by DUH, "Monitor" and "Der Spiegel" on the falsification of emission values with a statement.
We transmit it in full:
"Opel once again wishes to emphasize the fact that it does not use any software that recognizes when a car passes an emissions test.
This is confirmed by extensive tests carried out in various countries - for example in the report of the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure published on 22 April. The German authority's report concludes that during a research project - apart from certain cars of a competitor - no other car was found to have an illegal counterfeiting device. Relevant committees in France and Britain came to the same conclusion.
We cooperated at all levels and provided the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) with extensive data last autumn, contributing to the German authorities' comprehensive analysis.
Our software was never designed to cheat or falsify data.
The DUH/Monitor/Spiegel test methods and protocols were not disclosed to Opel, which does not allow us to evaluate the results. Based on our own independent measurements and experience from experiments published by DUH in the past, we do not consider these results to be objective or scientifically based.
Emission control systems are complex and interdependent. Multiple parameters such as engine speed, load, rotational speed, altitude and temperature play a role and influence each other.
This complex system cannot be broken down into individual parameters. The interaction can be understood through a holistic view, combining conditions and elements of the control system.
The results of official tests published in recent weeks clearly show the known and perceived differences between the performance of vehicles in the current laboratory emissions test, which needs immediate reform, and on-road tests.
The implementation of the RDE (Real Driving Emissions) test from next year aims to smooth out these differences. We are actively involved in the RDE debate.
We are convinced that the industry needs to regain people's trust by increasing transparency towards customers and authorities. We have taken decisive steps in this direction. We already announced in December that, on our own initiative, we will take the next step towards future emission standards from this summer - for CO2 and NOx emissions."
