According to relevant media reports, court documents show that Daimler will pay US$2.2 billion to settle the claims of 250,000 US car owners for violating the US Clean Air Law.
The German automaker and its subsidiary Mercedes-Benz USA disclosed on August 13 that after General Motors used software to evade exhaust emission regulations, it had filed civil and environmental claims for 250,000 U.S. diesel vehicles and trucks. Reach a principled settlement.
Daimler stated in August that the total cost of the settlement with the U.S. authorities is expected to reach US$1.5 billion, and the cost of the settlement with car owners is US$700 million, and disclosed that “in order to meet the settlement requirements, it will add about 300 million euros. expenditure.”
US Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen stated that after nearly five years of investigation, the settlement agreement reached will “help prevent anyone who may try to violate our country’s pollution laws in the future”.
In court documents, Daimler agreed to pay a maximum of US$3,290 to each of 250,000 car owners to repair these non-compliant vehicles with exhaust emissions, and is willing to pay US$83.4 million in legal fees and legal fees to car owners.
Daimler pointed out in court documents that it denies these allegations and “does not admit any responsibility.” The company added that the content of the settlement agreement does not include external compliance monitors. The German automaker still faces a criminal support investigation and may face additional financial penalties from the United States.
The settlement agreement requires Daimler to address the excessive exhaust emissions of these cars as part of a binding consent order. Daimler will issue a recall decision and extend the warranty period of the car, but does not need to repurchase the vehicle unless it cannot provide a solution to the exhaust emission problem within the prescribed timetable.
The U.S. Department of Justice said that Daimler did not disclose at least 16 auxiliary emission control devices. The U.S. government said these devices allow vehicles to drive in the way consumers want.
Court documents show that the settlement agreement includes a civil fine of US$875 million under the Clean Air Act and US$546 million to repair polluted vehicles and offset excess emissions. Daimler will pay a total of $285.6 million to California.