BFF-67 Berlin wants answers from Daimler over ‘pollution cheating’

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Berlin wants answers from Daimler over ‘pollution cheating’

BERLIN, May 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The German government on Monday gave
Mercedes manufacturer Daimler two weeks to come up with a full explanation
after authorities said some of its diesel vehicles were equipped with illegal
pollution cheating devices.

The Federal Motor Transport Authority KBA last week ordered Daimler to
recall 5,000 Mercedes Vito vehicles after finding that so-called defeat
devices were installed — something that Daimler has contested.

“We will begin a deeper exchange on these complex technical issues with the
aim of identifying the number of affected vehicles,” said Transport Minister
Andreas Scheuer after meeting with Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche.

Scheuer said he has given Zetsche two weeks to clarify the issue.

“At another meeting in 14 days, we will have the concrete results on the
table,” said Scheuer.

If the KBA’s suspicions are confirmed, Daimler would be the next giant
German automaker dragged into the diesel emissions cheating scandal.

Germany’s auto industry has been struggling to emerge from a cloud of
suspicion since Volkswagen in September 2015 admitted to fitting 11 million
vehicles with illegal software to make them appear less polluting under test
conditions compared with real on-road driving.

Daimler has firmly disputed the KBA’s finding.

“If necessary, the company will contest the disputed interpretation of the
law before the court,” the group in a statement on Thursday.

“Independently from the judicial procedure, Daimler is cooperating with the
authorities and will make available an update for the software concerned,” it
added.

German media reported that Daimler may have to recall up to 600,000 cars
worldwide, including tens of thousands of Class C Mercedes.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily also said that the alleged fixed motors were
produced by French automaker Renault, which is a long-term partner of
Daimler.

In France, an independent inquiry group has also found that diesel vehicles
— including Renault models — sold domestically were emitting more
pollutants than permitted.

BSS/AFP/MRI/1746 hrs