Schulz, leader of the left-leaning Social Democratic party (SPD), took aim at what he described as “irresponsible managers” in the sector. VW, along with German manufacturers BMW, Daimler, Audi and Porsche, are also being investigated by European regulators for alleged anti-competitive collusion. Seeking to restore the industry’s reputation, politicians – though not Merkel herself – and car bosses agreed earlier this month to overhaul engine software on 5.3m diesel cars to cut pollution. It is all far too important,” Schröder, a Social Democrat who Merkel defeated in 2005, told Swiss tabloid newspaper Blick. On Saturday, Merkel kicked off her re-election campaign with a stinging attack on German car chiefs, pressing them to innovate better to secure jobs, and win back trust lost thanks to the diesel emissions scandal.

Source: The Guardian August 13, 2017 17:02 UTC