PARIS - Renault said on Tuesday it planned a software upgrade to cut nitrogen oxide pollution from its diesel engines, which have come under fire for their relatively high emissions in the wake of the Volkswagen test-rigging scandal.
Following VW's exposure last September for using software "defeat devices" to cheat U.S. regulatory tests, the French carmaker has drawn public and investor scrutiny over its own emissions performance.
As of Monday's market close, Renault shares had fallen 14 percent since the Jan. 14 disclosure that investigators raided its offices this month over suspicions of emissions fraud - since roundly denied by company and government officials. On Tuesday, the stock was up 1.8 percent at 75.50 euros ($82.20 U.S.).
Besides VW's outright cheating, the diesel scandal has heightened awareness of real-world nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by the broader auto industry far exceeding those measured in flawed European regulatory tests - with Renault often cited by campaigners as among the worst offenders.
German green group DUH said in November that Renault's popular Espace minivan had released NOx emissions 25 times over EU limits during a Swiss study using driving styles that are more realistic than the EU test cycle.