Six European carmakers have launched a joint campaign to develop wireless technology which will warn surrounding motorists of hazardous situations.

A car-to-car network would be set up that would alert any other cars if they encountered thick fog, sheet ice or accidents on European streets, Volkswagen said on Thursday.

Volkswagen is working on the project along with its Audi premium car unit, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat and Renault.

While years away from being introduced, the project considers installing wireless communications devices in cars that could make every vehicle into a sender, receiver or router of emergency information.

The first car to sense danger would warn those around it, which would in turn pass on the message.