The German government on Monday gave Mercedes manufacturer Daimler two weeks to come up with a full explanation after authorities said some of its diesel vehicles were equipped with illegal pollution cheating devices.

The Federal Motor Transport Authority KBA last week ordered Daimler to recall 5,000 Mercedes Vito vehicles after finding that so-called defeat devices were installed -- something that Daimler has contested.

"We will begin a deeper exchange on these complex technical issues with the aim of identifying the number of affected vehicles," said Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer after meeting with Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche.

Scheuer said he has given Zetsche two weeks to clarify the issue.

"At another meeting in 14 days, we will have the concrete results on the table," said Scheuer.

If the KBA's suspicions are confirmed, Daimler would be the next giant German automaker dragged into the diesel emissions cheating scandal.

Germany's auto industry has been struggling to emerge from a cloud of suspicion since Volkswagen in September 2015 admitted to fitting 11 million vehicles with illegal software to make them appear less polluting under test conditions compared with real on-road driving.

Daimler has firmly disputed the KBA's finding.

"If necessary, the company will contest the disputed interpretation of the law before the court," the group in a statement on Thursday.

"Independently from the judicial procedure, Daimler is cooperating with the authorities and will make available an update for the software concerned," it added.

German media reported that Daimler may have to recall up to 600,000 cars worldwide, including tens of thousands of Class C Mercedes.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily also said that the alleged fixed motors were produced by French automaker Renault, which is a long-term partner of Daimler.

In France, an independent inquiry group has also found that diesel vehicles -- including Renault models -- sold domestically were emitting more pollutants than permitted.

ys/hmn/dlc/bmm

DAIMLER

VOLKSWAGEN

Renault

Related Links
Car Technology at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Hamburg is first German city to order diesel bans
Frankfurt Am Main (AFP) May 23, 2018
Authorities in Hamburg said Wednesday they would ban some diesel vehicles from two major arteries to improve air quality, making the German port city the first to take the long-feared step. "Driving limits for older diesel vehicles can now come into force as planned" thanks to a decision by a top court, the city-state's government said in a statement. A 1,600-metre (one mile) section of the Stresemannstrasse highway in the Altona district will be closed to older diesel trucks from May 31. Me ... read more