Renault next to be probed in emissions scandal

Shares recovered to close down 10.3 percent, at 77.75 euros.

Volkswagen a year ago admitted to using software to hide the level of toxic emissions from some of its diesel vehicles in the United States.

It faces billions of dollars in claims from owners of vehicles with similar software installed around the world.

“It’s hard to believe that VW would have been the only one to have rigged emissions testing”, a Clairinvest fund manager said.

Philippe Velu of the CFDT union at Renault said unions weren’t informed about the raids, or emissions tests.

In the wake of the VW scandal, Renault said last month that it would invest €50m to bring the emissions of its cars into line with those measured in official test conditions. AFP says “several” other automakers were included but not identified.

The minister added that presence of C02 and NOx above accepted limits had however been detected in cars of other manufacturers.

Shares in Renault dived after anti-fraud units conducted searches at the carmakers’ facilities prompted by the Volkswagen emissions scandal. The investigation is said to be linked to possible vehicle emissions violations.

Shares in Peugeot, France’s biggest carmaker, fell 5.05 per cent, although it released a statement Thursday saying it had not been the target of any anti-fraud raids.

The vehicle maker said the investigators had made a decision to carry out extra checks on parts and in factories but that no defeat devices had been found so far.

As an insurance for the French carmaker, the French Authority for Energy and Climate (DGCCRF) already considers that no such devices are to be found in Renault’s vehicles.

At the time of the stock exchange debacle, the Royal commission was presenting its conclusions after tests on 100 auto models to the minister, and a news conference was scheduled later Thursday.