German carmakers in emissions deal to avert ban on diesel vehicles

Berlin

GERMAN politicians and car bosses agreed on Wednesday to overhaul engine software on 5.3 million diesel cars to cut pollution and try to repair the industry's battered reputation.

However, environmentalists said the plan - almost two years after Volkswagen admitted to cheating US diesel emissions tests - was too little, too late, and vowed to press ahead with legal action aimed at banning polluting vehicles.