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Mercedes Emissions Testing Class Action Overview:
- Who: Mercedes-Benz has been hit with a class action lawsuit for using defeat devices to falsely lower its emissions during testing.
- What: Three Mercedes-Benz drivers in Sheffield say the company was deceptive in selling them the vehicles, and has broken antitrust laws in relation to an alleged collusion with other major car companies.
- Where: The claim was filed in the UK.
Three Mercedes-Benz drivers in Sheffield have filed a class action lawsuit against the company alleging it used defeat devices to falsely lower its emissions during testing, and colluded with other car manufacturers to stop the development of emissions reducing technology.
Sheffield men Paul Hanna, Mark Simpson, and Nigel Walton say that Mercedes-Benz’s role in the ‘dieselgate’ scandal, whereby a number of car companies fitted out vehicles with defeat devices’ to avoid complying with the law regarding diesel car emissions, amounted to deception, The Star reports.
In June 2018, German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) discovered that Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen were fitting the cheating software into their diesel engines in order to under-represent the true emissions released on the road. This resulted in Mercedes-Benz’s diesel engines not complying with regulations on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
Devices Cheat Emissions Testing, Say Mercedes Drivers
Hanna told The Star he was shocked to learn of Mercedes-Benz’s use of defeat devices in their diesel cars and said everyone that had “been let down by Mercedes should receive the compensation we are due.”
“It was especially disappointing to see that Mercedes colluded with other car manufacturers to suppress technology that could have reduced the vehicles’ emissions and protected the environment.”
Earlier this year, the European Commission found that Daimler (Mercedes-Benz parent company), BMW, and Volkswagen Group, which includes VW, Audi and Porsche, had breached antitrust rules by colluding hinder progress in the development of technology on lowering nitrogen oxide emissions in their diesel vehicles, The Star reports.
Mercedes-Benz was forced to recall 774,000 vehicles across Europe due to the emissions scandal, and owners now face potentially having to pay for their vehicles to be fixed so that they comply with emissions testing requirements.
Gareth Pope, of Slater and Gordon who is representing the group, said knowingly installed the defeat devices so vehicles could pass emissions tests that were designed to protect human health and the environment.
“As a result, our clients will allege that they have been deceived into purchasing these polluting vehicles for more than they were worth.
“As part of the deception, our clients will also allege that Mercedes participated in a cartel with other German manufacturers, including Volkswagen, to suppress the development and implementation of cleaner emissions technology in order to maximise their profits.”
A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz told The Star that the company considered the claims made against the company to be unfounded, adding it would defend itself “with the necessary legal means.”
How do you feel about the big car companies allegedly colluding to hinder the development of emissions reducing technology? Tell us in the comments section!
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