Some European politicians and transparency campaigners have raised concerns about German luxury carmakers Audi and BMW providing free cars to EU member states while negotiations were under way over strict new CO2 emissions targets.The immediate concern is sponsorship involving the free loan of scores of luxury cars to five countries over a two-and-a-half period that coincided with the debate over new limits for carbon dioxide emissions.

The five countries consecutively held the EU presidency during that time and were responsible for leading policy negotiations.