Renault says to be quizzed by French government commission over emissions

Renault executives are set to appear before a French government commission later Monday to explain why some of its cars have exceeded emissions limits, the French auto maker has confirmed in a statement.

The company’s appearance, just four days after the French government named the company among car makers to have sold cars in France in breach of pollution standards, comes as Renault RNO, -0.17% RNLSY, -5.47% said worldwide sales rose 3.3% last year, with demand in Europe offsetting weak emerging-market sales.

France’s Environment and Transport Minister Ségolène Royal set up the emissions commission last October in the wake of the Volkswagen AG VOW3, +2.19% VLKAY, -4.95% scandal to test 100 cars under real driving conditions.

The tests are still underway, but Royal said in an update Thursday that Renault and several other foreign car brands were among those who had been found with excessively high exhaust emissions. Investors’ worries about Renault’s compliance with emissions rules sent its shares sharply lower Thursday and Friday.

Source: MarketWatch