German state premiers asks automakers to address air pollution issue quickly

German automakers need to quickly address the issue of increasing air pollution caused by diesel engine in a number of cities, the premiers of 5 German states stated on Friday, including that the concern must be resolved by companies on a voluntary basis.

Stephan Weil, premier of Lower Saxony, said companies ought to implement procedures in the short-term, adding: “Diesel is here to stay.”

Weil is also member of Volkswagen’s 20-strong supervisory board.

In a joint statement, Weil and others from the states of Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia contacted automakers to offer complimentary technological upgrades to purchasers of older diesel cars and to give incentives to change to new diesel models with lower emissions.

The auto industry of the country hopes a strategy under discussion with the government to lower pollution from older diesel automobiles will prevent planned restrictions in German cities that are discouraging customers from buying diesel vehicles.