Germany: Hyundai & Kia raided over suspected defeat devices

The defeat devices are mechanisms or software which vary the emission levels in vehicles.

Korean carmakers Hyundai & Kia have been raided by authorities in Germany due to suspicions that they had installed 210,000 diesel cars with illegal defeat devices.

According to the statement, eight business premises of the automaker were raided in Germany and Luxembourg, in an operation coordinated by the European Union Agency Eurojust. The raids were confirmed by a spokesperson from Hyundai Motor Group, representing both Hyundai & Kia.

The defeat devices are mechanisms or software which vary the emission levels in vehicles, leading to fears that automakers could use them to mask their vehicle's true pollution levels. Back in 2015, Volkswagen had admitted to using the device on some of its diesel vehicles to cheat the emission tests.

Authorities stated that the engine software is thought to have come from component suppliers like Bosch & Delphi, which come under the BorgWarner Group.

Source: Reuters