Page 12 - BNE_magazine_02_2020

12 I Companies & Markets bne February 2020
Poland fines Volkswagen PLN120mn for Dieselgate
bne IntelliNews
Poland’s office for consumer protection UOKiK fined the German automaker Volkswagen PLN120.6mn (€28.5mn) for the so-called Dieselgate scandal, UOKiK said on January 15.
Dieselgate was an international scandal in which Volkswagen used software that lowered emissions readings from cars during tests. The falsified readings were used in advertising while Volkswagen also instructed dealers not to recognise customers’ complaints about real emissions levels.
Volkswagen used misleading information about emissions from its brands Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, and Skoda between 2008 and 2016.
“Volkswagen manipulated emission indicators, misleading consumers by claiming that its vehicles were environmentally- friendly. The environmental awareness of Poles is growing, which is why many people could have deliberately chosen
cars that emitted less harmful substances,” UOKiK president Marek Niechciał said in a statement.
UOKiK’s decision is not final and Volkswagen can appeal against it in court.
Once UOKiK’s decisions become legally binding, however, they become a precedent, allowing consumers to pursue claims in court, the office said.
“Volkswagen used misleading information about emissions from its brands Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, and Skoda between 2008 and 2016”
Hydrogen-powered drone being developed in Hungary
Tamas Szilagyi in Budapest
What is being touted as the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft that could be made suitable for carrying passengers has been unveiled at Jakabszállás airport in central Hungary.
The Hungarian-American development was presented
at an event attended by Minister of Innovation and Technology László Palkovics, who told a news conference that the government regards the aerospace industry
as a key sector. Whereas automotive is the Hungarian economy’s flagship industry, investments in recent years are putting aerospace in a stronger position, he added.
He noted that the government has the hydrogen economy as a separate chapter in its recently unveiled energy and
climate strategy, alongside AI, industry 4.0 and 5G.
The sleek Skai vehicle has six horizontal rotors and
a range of 300 miles. The hydrogen-powered flying vehicle was first presented in May in Los Angeles. US-based Alaka'i Technologies CEO Steve Hanvey then said the company foresees producing more than 10,000 vehicles a year. When asked about the price, he said it approaches that of a luxury car. The vehicle could be used for passenger transport, the delivery of emergency medical transport or for cargo delivery, depending on the configurations.
Hungary-based Genevation Aircraft is supporting the Alaka’i development technically.
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