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Senate Democrats Grill DOJ Official Over Automaker Investigation

  • Antitrust official cites collusion concern over emissions pact
  • Washington, California are sparring over auto emissions levels
Amy Klobuchar
Amy KlobucharPhotographer: Aaron P. Bernstein/Bloomberg
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Democratic senators grilled a senior Justice Department official about an antitrust probe of automakers over efficiency standards, with one saying the inquiry looked like an effort by the Trump administration to intimidate the companies.

Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co., BMW AG and Volkswagen AG agreed in July to voluntarily meet compromise emissions targets offered by California regulators, defying an administration proposal to freeze national standards at 2020 levels. Both would be less stringent than requirements put in place during the Obama administration.