Is this ever going to end?
This just in: Bosch designed and knew about the cheat device software planted by Volkswagen in its diesel cars.
It looks like Dieselgate, the massive emissions scandal involving Volkswagen – which now stretches on a yearlong span – won't go away too soon. Even more, another big-name leading automotive industry player is involved.
According to a report published in the Auto section on Reuters, auto supplier Bosch "concealed the use of Volkswagen AG's secret defeat device software that it helped design and demanded in 2008 that the German automaker provide legal protection in its use."
Moreover, the same outlet reports that in August, plaintiffs lawyers accused Bosch of being a "knowing and active participant," but Bosch officials quickly denied such claims, saying they are "wild and unfounded," according to the Washington Post.
Attorneys also revealed that Bosch designed and produced the cheat devices before they asked Volkswagen to "indemnify Bosch for any legal exposure arising from work on the defeat device," according to the lawsuit.
So far, Bosch has not been charged with any law-breaking action.
Besides facing several lawsuits in Germany, Volkswagen has to pay $15 billion in settlements over the emission scandal it provoked by cheating diesel emissions tests and misleading customers.