VZBV has filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Daimler that it said would make it easier for Mercedes consumers to gain redress over a diesel emissions scandal.
The lawsuit, submitted by the VZBV at a regional court in Stuttgart, seeks to set a precedent that would allow owners of Mercedes GLC and GLK cars to gain compensation over software that was reportedly used to cheat emissions tests.
“Those who may have been affected will obtain certainty over whether Daimler intentionally installed illegal defeat devices in several vehicle models,” VZBV chief Klaus Mueller said.
“Despite official recalls, Daimler AG to this day rejects it deliberately manipulated the emissions of its cars. The Stuttgart regional court should declare this. That would bring legal clarity for many consumers who have been affected.”
Daimler said it considered emissions litigation against it to be without any basis and would contest the case brought by the VZBV.
The VZBV estimates that a total of 254,000 vehicles made by Mercedes were recalled in Germany. Its so-called Musterfeststellungsklage – or Model Declaratory Action – covers almost 50,000 Mercedes GLC and GLK models.
The recall was ordered in 2018 and the VZBV said it was submitting its case before Daimler’s possible legal liability expires after a three-year period has elapsed.
