Bosch is about to drop $25 million to settle a probe from California connected to the company’s role in diesel emission cheating scandals. The German parts supplier agreed to conditions as part of the settlement but avoids liability in the case. It also avoided having to acknowledge the validity of the claims against it. This isn’t the first time that Bosch has had to dig into its pockets over diesel cheating scandals though.
According to the state, Bosch participated in the misconduct of brands like Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler by providing the automakers with software that could cheat diesel emission testing procedures. A condition of the settlement is that Bosch is now required to inform California of any automaker that has used software or will use it to evade emissions rules.
California Attorney General, Rob Bonta released a statement championing the settlement as a big win for the state. “Bosch violated consumer trust when it gave Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler the technology they needed to skirt state and federal emissions tests. Bosch’s actions facilitated one of the biggest environmental crimes of our time, and today, they are paying the price,” he said.
Read: FCA US Sentenced In Diesel-Emissions Probe, Will Pay $300 Million Settlement
According to Automotive News, Bosch confirmed the settlement but said it “neither acknowledges the validity of the claims brought forward nor does it concede any liability.” Bosch had already settled a federal probe into the matter back in 2019. The total amount paid out, in that case, exceeded $131 million and included 47 states, DC, Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Almost every entity tied to the diesel cheating scandal has had its fair share of legal trouble at this stage. Fiat Chrysler paid a $311 million civil penalty along with $183 million for compensation in a class-action diesel suit. Then, in June, it agreed to pay another $300 million to end another diesel emissions fraud investigation by the Justice Department.
Volkswagen has been hit the hardest after admitting to cheating on diesel testing with software back in 2015. It’s paid over $34 billion in fines, penalties, and vehicle buyback costs since then. It’s also revamped its growth strategy to emphasize diesel less as a result of the scandal.
