Germany Court ruling May Send 7.8 Million Diesel cars to Balkan Markets, Including bulgaria
A recent ruling by the Schleswig-holstein Supreme Administrative Court is poised to displace approximately 7.8 million diesel vehicles in Germany, possibly flooding Balkan automotive markets, including Bulgaria.The court found that these vehicles utilize a defeat device – a mechanism that deactivates the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system under certain temperature conditions – resulting in higher emissions than legally permitted during typical operation.
The decision compels manufacturers to either modify the affected engines to eliminate the “thermal window” software or remove the vehicles from German roads.While manufacturers argue that retrofitting older models is impossible and newer engine modifications would be prohibitively expensive, the ruling casts a shadow over diesel car owners, devaluing their vehicles and increasing the risk of driving bans. The judgment is currently subject to appeal, but analysts predict a negative outcome for owners.
Vehicles adhering to Euro 5 and Euro 6a-C emissions standards are most likely impacted,encompassing popular models from VW,Audi,Skoda,BMW,Mercedes,toyota,Volvo,Opel,Fiat,and Renault.
the German automotive industry faces substantial financial strain should a traffic ban or widespread repairs be mandated. Concurrently, the industry is already under pressure to meet increasingly stringent emission standards and transition to electric vehicles. Experts anticipate a surge of these diesel vehicles into Eastern European markets, where emission regulations may be less strict, and demand for affordable vehicles remains high.
