Diesel vehicle 'smokescreen'

Court told car firms' 'cheated emissions testing'

- BY GRAHAM HISCOTT

SOME of the world's biggest car makers were accused of putting sales ahead of pollution yesterday in a new dieselgate scandal.

The High Court heard allegations the companies installed devices on vehicles to detect when they were being tested and alter the amount of harmful emissions produced so they would fall within regulated limits.

But when the vehicles were driven at other times, it is claimed they produced much higher levels of nitrogen oxides and other polluting particulates.

It came at the start of a trial in London, set to last three months, in what is the biggest legal action of its kind in English history.