VW saga may end platinum's edge over palladium

London

PLATINUM'S price dominance since 2001 over sister metal palladium could come to an abrupt end if Volkwagen's car emissions scandal spills over into Europe, where diesel cars account for about 45 per cent of total sales.

Fears of falling platinum demand after the United States accused the German firm of using software for diesel cars that deceives regulators measuring toxic emissions pushed prices for the metal to a 6-1/2 year low of US$925.30 an ounce on Wednesday.