Mercedes has canceled plans to bring diesels to the U.S. for the 2017 model year, but the German automaker hasn’t decided whether it will exit the U.S. diesel market entirely.
Daimler AG confirmed to Automotive News it has dropped plans to seek U.S. approval to sell 2017 Mercedes-Benz diesel models. The company is currently under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board (CARB) and a prosecutor in Stuttgart, Germany, into possible emissions tampering on Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles. Last month, the automaker said the investigations could lead to significant penalties and recalls.
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Mercedes could still opt to seek 2017 certification at a later date, but diesel vehicles in the U.S. last year accounted for less than one percent of sales, so it’s unlikely Mercedes will move forward.
As a result of Volkswagen’s massive Dieselgate scandal, other automakers are questioning whether they want to continue selling diesel vehicles in the U.S.
[Source: Automotive News]
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