Mercedes Cars To Be Scrutinised With More Emission Tests

In a recent allegation, Sueddeutsche Zeitung had reported that Daimler had been accused of selling over 1 million cars with excessive emissions in the European and US market.

However, Germany has not found any signs so far that Mercedes-Benz used illegal software to manipulate diesel emissions, but a new round of tests is being conducted.

Germany's Transport Ministry summoned official of Daimler to a meeting to explain why some vehicles showed a high level of emissions under certain driving conditions.

Engine management systems and software have come under investigation ever since Volkswagen revealed in September 2015 that it had installed programs which cheat diesel emissions tests.

"It was agreed that Mercedes vehicles will be tested by the KBA," a ministry spokesman said, adding that Daimler had been cooperative and had reemphasized its vehicles comply with emissions regulations.

German magazine Der Spiegel had reported that, without citing sources, that officials from the KBA, Germany's vehicle certification authority, think Mercedes-Benz may have diesel cars outfitted with illegal cheating software.

Reuters states that when asked, Daimler said that based on the information it had at its disposal, it would fight charges about installing an illegal software defeat device with all legal might.

And when Reuters asked KBA if they had found a defeat device in Mercedes cars, a KBA spokesman said, "We need to wait for the results of the investigation to be published."

Under some conditions, carmakers are entitled to throttle back emissions management systems to guard the engine. Vehicles which start up when it is very cold outside run the danger of having condensation build up in their catalytic converters and engines causing rust.

DriveSpark Thinks!

Emission cheating is a serious offence and the cars emitting carbon emission beyond permissable limits should be taken off the road. Be it high-volume or luxury carmakers, none should evade emission norms.