Germany raids Hyundai-Kia cars

German authorities have raided Hyundai-Kia Motors on suspicion of emissions cheating, according to foreign media reports.

Image credit: Hyundai

A total of 140 officers searched Hyundai and Kia's eight facilities in Germany and Luxembourg, the report said.In addition, Frankfurt prosecutors are investigating Bosch and BorgWarner.The raid was organised by the EU through an agency called Eurojust.

German authorities believe Hyundai-Kia illegally sold more than 210,000 diesel vehicles.The suspected illegal software and bypass devices are said to have been supplied by Bosch and Delphi, which is now owned by BorgWarner.

The cars, equipped with illegal software designed to "substantially" reduce or turn off emissions reduction controls while the vehicles are in motion, are being sold through 2020, according to information gathered by prosecutors.Owners were allegedly misled about emissions controls, believing the vehicles were compliant with EU emissions regulations.

A Hyundai spokesman confirmed the search was underway and the company was cooperating with German authorities on the matter.However, the automaker did not provide any further details.

In addition to potentially uncovering illegal devices, Hyundai and Kia could face fraud lawsuits for emissions cheating, based on what was learned during the search.This isn't the first time a car company has been accused of such a crime, though, and it still happens from time to time in the wake of Volkswagen's scandalous emissions gates.

At the same time as the search, authorities are also investigating multiple Kia, Hyundai and BorgWarner employees.Representatives for the companies did not respond to requests for comment.