Mercedes Could Be the Next Automaker With a Diesel Scandal
German prosecutors have raided Daimler’s offices in Germany.
The parent company of Mercedes-Benz is under investigation for possible fraud related to false advertising and the possible manipulation of exhaust-gas aftertreatment in its diesel cars. Reuters reports the Stuttgart prosecutor’s office said 23 prosecutors and around 230 employees, including police and state criminal authorities, were involved in searching 11 sites in the German states of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Berlin, Lower Saxony and Saxony as they look for data files and evidence to build a case.
Earlier this year in March, the Stuttgart prosecutor’s office launched an investigation against employees at Daimler on suspicion of fraud and misleading advertising. The investigation is “against known and unknown employees at Daimler, who are suspected of fraud and misleading advertising connected to manipulated emissions treatment of diesel passenger cars,” said the Stuttgart prosecutor’s office.
SEE ALSO: Mercedes Drops Plans to Bring 2017 Diesel Models to US
Daimler released a brief statement in regards to the investigation, saying it is fully cooperating with the authorities and has provided information on “governmental information requests, inquiries and investigations in annual reports and interim reports.” The company says it cannot comment any further on the ongoing preliminary investigations.
Last month, Mercedes-Benz dropped its plans to bring 2017 diesel models to the U.S. and it’s currently under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.
[Source: Reuters]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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I wonder how long it will take before we start receiving emails from law firms regarding collective lawsuits!