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GERMANY-AUTO-POLLUTION-REGULATE-DAIMLER
Daimler faces probe over ‘new cheating software’
BERLIN, April 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Daimler confirmed Sunday it was facing a
regulatory probe after a report said German authorities have uncovered a
previously unknown type of pollution trickery software allegedly installed by
the car giant in some of its vehicles.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has initiated a formal hearing
procedure, Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported.
The Stuttgart-based carmaker confirmed the hearing procedure.
“We fully cooperate with the Federal Motor Transport Authority and are
reviewing the facts,” said Daimler in a statement.
“In the course of the hearing proceedings, we will present our view to
KBA.”
According to the Bild report, around 60,000 vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz
GLK 220 CDI models produced between 2012 and 2015 were affected.
The software allegedly reduced emissions of nitrogen oxide during test
conditions. On the road however, the affected vehicles were spewing out
amounts of the harmful gas that were above regulatory limits.
The KBA last year had already ordered Daimler to recall 700,000 vehicles
worldwide, including 280,000 in Germany, over illegal software — a ruling
the carmaker is appealing.
Daimler is also potentially facing a big fine over the diesel scam as
German prosecutors said in February they had opened a “fine procedure”
against it.
Diesel investigations have been running in Germany since 2015, when
automobile giant Volkswagen admitted to building defeat devices into 11
million cars worldwide.
BSS/AFP/RY/1635 hrs