Daimler says diesel emissions investigation could result in penalties, recalls

Daimler on Wednesday repeated that recent actions by United States authorities to examine diesel emissions pollution and so-called auxiliary emission control devices might cause substantial penalties and vehicle recalls.

Numerous federal and state authorities, consisting of the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with Stuttgart prosecutor in Germany are investigating the emissions of Mercedes-Benz diesel cars.

In previous month, the Stuttgart prosecutor introduced an investigation against Daimler workers on suspicion of frauds and misleading marketing connected to vehicle emissions.

“Due to the ongoing governmental information demands, inquiries and investigations, and our own internal investigation, it can not be dismissed that the authorities might reach the conclusion that Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles have similar performances,” Daimler stated in its quarterly report, restating a statement from its annual report.

The investigations are still continuous, Daimler stated, adding that the result of these probes could not be forecasted.

Daimler stated in January this year that U.S. authorities appeared to have taken a tough position on what constitutes a prohibited defeat device, an action that might have implications for Mercedes-Benz in general.