German Government Orders Recall of Daimler’s Vito Vans Over Emissions

Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority, ordered Daimler to recall its Vito vans with 1.6-liter liter engines, as these were found to be in breach of regulations, the government agency said.

According to the regulating agency, the Vito vans, which fall under Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand, contain engine control features that reduce exhaust emissions illegally. Daimler opposed the agency's findings, saying it would appeal the decision and fight it in court, but said it was fully cooperating with the KBA.

The German transport authority started investigating the alleged us of an illegal defeat device in Vito vans back in February. About 1,000 vans were tested. Daimler defended itself in a statement, saying the alleged software features were not necessary for the Vito model to pass European emission tests.

Since fellow German car maker Volkswagen admitted to falsifying US emission tests, Daimler, along with VW and BMW, faced a massive industrial criticism and backlash regarding their diesel technology. Prosecutors from Stuttgart, where Daimler's headquarters are located, expanded its investigations about two months ago to include the Vito after suspicions arose that Daimler manipulated the van's emissions.

Meanwhile, US investigators are also looking into software that may have helped Mercedes-Benz vehicles pass its diesel emissions tests.