Automotive supplier Bosch warned Volkswagen that using engine management software to cheat emissions tests was illegal back in 2007, according to a report from German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.
Volkswagen admitted earlier this month it had installed software in millions of diesel passenger cars designed to cheat U.S. emissions tests. The automaker was first given the software by Bosch for testing purposes, however when the supplier later found out it was in passenger cars, Bosch wrote to the automaker saying it was unlawful.
Bosch also supplied metering modules for exhaust gas treatment and common-rail fuel injection systems to VW, components that are involved in the emissions controversy. Bosch said how these components are configured and set up is the responsibility of Volkswagen, distancing itself from the now widely publicized scandal.
According to Bild am Sonntag, the diesel emissions scandal first began in 2005 when the automaker wanted to develop a new diesel engine for the U.S. market. Audi engineer Rudolf Krebs was employed by then VW boss Wolfgang Bernhard to design the engine, and argued that the only way to make it meet emissions standards was to use an ‘AdBlue’ urea solution. This would have added about 300 euros of manufacturing costs to each vehicle, so the software was instead implemented to ensure the cars would past emissions tests.
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