My further reading of the Daimler 2017 Annual Report found this very interetsing paragraph on page 168...
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Additionally, delays in obtaining regulatory
approvals necessary to introduce new or recertify existing diesel
models could occur. In light of the notices of violation that were
issued by US environmental authorities to another vehicle manufacturer
in January of 2017 and the related complaint filed by the
United States against such manufacturer in May 2017, identifying
functionalities, apparently including functionalities that are common
in diesel vehicles, as undisclosed Auxiliary Emission Control
Devices (AECDs) and, in some unspecified cases, as impermissible,
and in light of the ongoing governmental information
requests, inquiries and investigations, and our own internal
investigation, it cannot be ruled out that the various authorities
might reach the conclusion that Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles
have similar functionalities. The inquiries and investigations as
well as the replies to the governmental information requests
and our internal investigation are still ongoing and open; hence,
Daimler cannot predict the outcome at this time. If these or
other inquiries, investigations, legal actions and/or proceedings
result in unfavorable findings, an unfavorable outcome or
otherwise develop unfavorably, Daimler could be subject to
significant monetary penalties, remediation requirements,
vehicle recalls, process improvements, mitigation measures and
the early termination of promotional loans, and/or other sanctions,
measures and actions, including further investigations by
these or other authorities and additional litigations.
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Daimler is obviously going to be very cautious when introducing new diesels into the US market. But they are committed to continued diesel engine development because of their low CO2 emissions levels. Here is a summary of their plans found on page 182 of the annual report...
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Comprehensive plan for the future of diesel engines
We are convinced that diesel engines will continue to be an
integral part of the drive-system mix, not least due to their low
CO2 emissions. The debate surrounding diesel engines is
leading to increasing uncertainty among customers, however.
For this reason, the Daimler AG Board of Management approved
a comprehensive plan for the future of diesel engines in July
2017. The plan calls for a massive expansion of the current voluntary
service measures for vehicles in customers’ hands, as
well as the rapid market launch of a completely new family of
diesel engines.
As early as 2016, Mercedes-Benz began offering diesel vehicles
that were able to meet the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) limits
that went into effect in the EU in 2017. This achievement was
made possible by an all-new modular family of efficient and
clean diesel engines. In the future, this modular engine family
will be utilized across the entire product range of MercedesBenz
Cars and also at Mercedes-Benz Vans. The new engines’
exemplary emissions have also been confirmed by measurements
conducted at independent institutes.
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If you are interested; details of all the legal issues related to diesels in USA and Canada are found in the attached pages from the 2017 annual report.
