Mercedes-Benz Gives Up on 2017 Diesels

CARS.COM — Mercedes-Benz has ended its efforts to get its planned 2017 diesel models approved for sale in the U.S.

Related: EPA Alleges FCA Broke the Law on Diesel Emissions

A U.S. spokesman told Reuters that the 2017 certification effort is now “on hold.”
Spokesman Rob Moran said no decision had been made about future Mercedes-Benz diesel models in the U.S. and that the company could decide later to resume the effort for approval from emissions regulators to sell its diesels here.

Regulators have tightened scrutiny of diesel engine controls and emissions in the wake of the Volkswagen diesel scandal. The EPA is investigating Fiat Chrysler Automobiles diesels, which has held up 2017 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel models, and the slower approval process has also delayed some BMW models.

Mercedes-Benz, which offered four of its Bluetec diesel models in 2016, has been under an emissions investigation in the U.S. as well as in Germany. Brand parent Daimler also is doing its own investigation.

Given the diesel investigations and uncertainty, Daimler warned investors in its quarterly earnings report last month that the company “could be subject to significant monetary penalties, remediation requirements, vehicle recalls, process improvements and mitigation measures, and/or other sanctions, measures and actions, including further investigations by these or other authorities and additional litigations.”