Daimler Truck said on Sunday it will start series production of its battery electric heavy-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in November. The decision is a part of a broader strategy to switch the company’s focus to electric vehicles. Since the commencement of the sale in the later part of the year, it has received 2000 order bookings for the eActros 600. While Daimler Truck has not released the price of the truck, the company has said the initial cost is about 2. 5 times higher than that of similar models powered by diesel fuel.&nbsp;

Indeed, in the beginning, the auxiliary unit will cost more, yet Karin Radstrom, heading the Mercedes-Benz Truck Unit and soon to become Daimler Truck CEO, noted that its energy efficiency would compensate for the cost difference and are attractive for operators of fleets.

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, which is planned to be built at the Woerth am Rhein plant in Germany, will coexist with diesel vehicles. The mechanical monster can travel up to 500 kilometers with one battery charge, and it is designed to transport up to 22 tonnes of cargo.

By comparison, Daimler Truck’s diesel models can carry up to 25 tons and travel an average of 1,600 km per refuelling. On the other hand, competitor from Sweden, Volvo has launched its model FH Electric truck which has a range of 600 kilometers on a single charge.

A McKinsey study revealed, for example, that to make zero-emission trucks a proper competitor to diesel-powered vehicles, their cost must be cut by up to half. Being the most recent development in a lifecycle, this move by Daimler Truck fits into a growing trend of striving for greener solutions in truck production and use, which establishes a background for further innovations in the electric vehicle industry.

Daimler Truck said on Sunday it will start series production of its battery electric heavy-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in November. The decision is a part of a broader strategy to switch the company’s focus to electric vehicles.

Daimler Truck said on Sunday it will start series production of its battery electric heavy-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in November. The decision is a part of a broader strategy to switch the company’s focus to electric vehicles. Since the commencement of the sale in the later part of the year, it has received 2000 order bookings for the eActros 600. While Daimler Truck has not released the price of the truck, the company has said the initial cost is about 2. 5 times higher than that of similar models powered by diesel fuel. Indeed, in the beginning, the auxiliary unit will cost more, yet Karin Radstrom, heading the Mercedes-Benz Truck Unit and soon to become Daimler Truck CEO, noted that its energy efficiency would compensate for the cost difference and are attractive for operators of fleets. The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, which is planned to be built at the Woerth am Rhein plant in Germany, will coexist with diesel vehicles. The mechanical monster can travel up to 500 kilometers with one battery charge, and it is designed to transport up to 22 tonnes of cargo. By comparison, Daimler Truck’s diesel models can carry up to 25 tons and travel an average of 1,600 km per refuelling. On the other hand, competitor from Sweden, Volvo has launched its model FH Electric truck which has a range of 600 kilometers on a single charge. A McKinsey study revealed, for example, that to make zero-emission trucks a proper competitor to diesel-powered vehicles, their cost must be cut by up to half. Being the most recent development in a lifecycle, this move by Daimler Truck fits into a growing trend of striving for greener solutions in truck production and use, which establishes a background for further innovations in the electric vehicle industry.

Daimler Truck set to launch series production of fully-electric heavy truck

UAW members at Daimler Trucks have agreed to ratify a new labour contract and have thus been able to achieve a victory in favour of workers, preventing a possible strike. The agreement includes substantial wage increases and other benefits for more than 7,300 hourly UAW workers.

Overview of the agreement

The ratified contract, which received an overwhelming 94.5% of the union members' approval, is a four-year pact that secures a minimum of 25% general pay increase. Negotiations concluded late April, securing terms that prevent industrial action and ensure favourable terms for workers.

Scope of the contract

The contract extends to hourly employees at six facilities in southern states, including four factories in North Carolina and parts warehouses in Georgia and Tennessee. These zones have had historically low levels of unionisation, which makes the agreement important for the labour rights in the region.

The deal with Daimler Truck, spun off from Mercedes, comes ahead of crucial votes on unionisation at a Mercedes assembly plant in Alabama. The deal manifests the UAWs's continuous campaign to increase its power and to unionise non-unionised plants in the United States.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/porsche-india-launches-3rd-gen-panamera-at-inr-169-cr-717992">Porsche India launches 3rd gen Panamera at INR 1.69 cr</a>

Key provisions of the contract

In addition to the increased wage demanded, the contract contains terms on profit-sharing, cost-of-living adjustments, and the elimination of wage dynamics. This guarantees just remuneration among workers between different divisions, which includes the makers of Freightliner and Western Star trucks as well as Thomas Built buses.

The UAW President Shawn Fain points out that this hike in wages is in line with what was secured with the Detroit 3 in fall last year. He outlined the specifics of the pay raise, including an immediate 10% increase followed by 3% raises at six-month intervals.

Impact on workers

The contract promises significant pay rises for workers, particularly those at the Thomas Built bus unit, with some receiving raises of over USD 8 per hour. Skilled trades workers can expect increases exceeding USD 17 per hour, marking a substantial improvement in compensation for these employees.

Future organisational efforts

Having secured well-rated agreements with automakers, the UAW is now turning its attention to new ventures and their organizing efforts.Recent victories at Volkswagen and ongoing unionisation votes at Mercedes plants signal a broader push to strengthen workers' rights across the industry.

The ratified contract between UAW members and Daimler Truck represents a significant achievement for workers' rights and sets a precedent for fair labour practices in the automotive sector.

UAW members at Daimler Trucks have agreed to ratify a new labour contract and have thus been able to achieve a victory in favour of workers, preventing a possible strike.

UAW members at Daimler Trucks have agreed to ratify a new labour contract and have thus been able to achieve a victory in favour of workers, preventing a possible strike. The agreement includes substantial wage increases and other benefits for more than 7,300 hourly UAW workers. Overview of the agreement The ratified contract, which received an overwhelming 94.5% of the union members' approval, is a four-year pact that secures a minimum of 25% general pay increase. Negotiations concluded late April, securing terms that prevent industrial action and ensure favourable terms for workers. Scope of the contract The contract extends to hourly employees at six facilities in southern states, including four factories in North Carolina and parts warehouses in Georgia and Tennessee. These zones have had historically low levels of unionisation, which makes the agreement important for the labour rights in the region. The deal with Daimler Truck, spun off from Mercedes, comes ahead of crucial votes on unionisation at a Mercedes assembly plant in Alabama. The deal manifests the UAWs's continuous campaign to increase its power and to unionise non-unionised plants in the United States. Also Read: Porsche India launches 3rd gen Panamera at INR 1.69 cr Key provisions of the contract In addition to the increased wage demanded, the contract contains terms on profit-sharing, cost-of-living adjustments, and the elimination of wage dynamics. This guarantees just remuneration among workers between different divisions, which includes the makers of Freightliner and Western Star trucks as well as Thomas Built buses. The UAW President Shawn Fain points out that this hike in wages is in line with what was secured with the Detroit 3 in fall last year. He outlined the specifics of the pay raise, including an immediate 10% increase followed by 3% raises at six-month intervals. Impact on workers The contract promises significant pay rises for workers, particularly those at the Thomas Built bus unit, with some receiving raises of over USD 8 per hour. Skilled trades workers can expect increases exceeding USD 17 per hour, marking a substantial improvement in compensation for these employees. Future organisational efforts Having secured well-rated agreements with automakers, the UAW is now turning its attention to new ventures and their organizing efforts.Recent victories at Volkswagen and ongoing unionisation votes at Mercedes plants signal a broader push to strengthen workers' rights across the industry. The ratified contract between UAW members and Daimler Truck represents a significant achievement for workers' rights and sets a precedent for fair labour practices in the automotive sector.

UAW members ratify new labour contract with Daimler Truck

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz has informed owners of its luxury cars of a technical defect that could spark a fire.

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz warns car owners of a technical defect that could spark a fire

Daimler, the luxury carmaker expects chip supply to remain scarce throughout 2022, particularly in the first half of the year.

Daimler expects chip supply to remain scarce throughout 2022

Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler plans to invest more than or $47 billion, between 2022 and 2030 to develop battery-electric vehicles and be ready for an all-electric car market by 2030.

World Business Watch: Mercedes-Benz aims to go all-electric in 2030

German automaker Daimler and Finland’s Nokia have signed a patent licensing agreement, ending a row that highlighted a battle between tech and car companies over royalties for key technologies.

World Business Watch: Daimler to pay Nokia patent fees, ending German legal spat

Quarterly adjusted earnings before interest and tax was 4.97 billion euros compared to analysts' consensus estimate of 3.99 billion euros.

Daimler's Q1 earnings beat market expectation on high prices

Renault's current stake is worth over $1.41 Billion and Renault Group has announced that it plans to sell off its entire stake in Germany's Daimler AG to drive forward the deleveraging of its automotive business.

World Business Watch: Renault To Sell Stake In Germany's Daimler

Watch today in World Business Watch: Automotive manufacturer Daimler to be smaller company in five years.

World Business Watch: Automotive manufacturer Daimler to be smaller company in five years

German carmaker Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz, has agreed to pay $1.5bn (£1.2bn) to resolve US government claims that it designed its diesel vehicles to cheat air pollution tests.

Daimler to pay $2.2bn over emissions settlements

The German automaker Daimler said that it had agreed to pay $25 billion to settle accusations that Mercedes-Benz cars and vans sold in the United States were programmed to cheat on emissions tests. Watch report.

Daimler settles US emissions lawsuit: VW to pay more than $25 BN in US fines

Daimler will stop building Mercedes-Benz sedans in the United States and Mexico as it seeks deeper cuts after posting a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss. Watch report.

Daimler to stop building Mercedes sedans in US after second-quarter loss

After the German carmaker BMW planned job cute it's rival Mercedes Benz parent company, Daimler has announced that it may go in for layoffs. Watch report.

Daimler plans additional job cuts: Mercedes Benz parent company, COVID-19 Pandemic

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/avatar-2-james-cameron-teases-photos-videos-from-the-much-anticipated-sequel-272865">Mercedes-Benz</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;build&nbsp;smart-branded electric&nbsp;cars&nbsp;with Zhejiang&nbsp;Geely&nbsp;Holding Group in the Chinese city of Xian from a base with an annual capacity of around 150,000 vehicles, a&nbsp;senior&nbsp;official from its German parent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sk-innovation-to-supply-batteries-for-mercedes-hybrid-car-in-china-267246">Daimler AG</a> said on Saturday.

Daimler's&nbsp;Executive&nbsp;Vice President in China Leng Yan made the comments to reporters on the sidelines of&nbsp;China's&nbsp;EV100 forum in Beijing, an annual event where&nbsp;senior&nbsp;auto industry&nbsp;executives meet to discuss policies and the market.

Geely&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mercedes-Benz&nbsp;said on Wednesday they would each invest 2.7 billion yuan ($388.8 million) in a China-based venture to&nbsp;build&nbsp;"premium and intelligent electrified" vehicles under the&nbsp;Smart&nbsp;brand.

Like&nbsp;Mercedes-Benz,&nbsp;Smart&nbsp;is a Daimler marque. The firms said at the time that the venture, which will be based in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, will have manufacturing capacity in China and sales operations in China and Germany.

Geely, which holds a 9.7 per cent&nbsp;stake in Stuttgart-based Daimler, is&nbsp;building car plants in Xian, according to construction bidding documents on its website. Daimler, which partners with BAIC Group to make luxury&nbsp;Mercedes-Benz&nbsp;cars&nbsp;in Beijing, also&nbsp;builds trucks with BAIC's unit Beiqi Foton Motor.

Smart&nbsp;delivered about 116,800 vehicles worldwide in 2019, Daimler said in a January&nbsp;9 statement.

Mercedes-Benz will build smart-branded electric cars with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in the Chinese city of Xian from a base with an annual capacity of around 150,000 vehicles, a senior official from its German parent Daimler AG said on Saturday.

Mercedes-Benz will build smart-branded electric cars with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in the Chinese city of Xian from a base with an annual capacity of around 150,000 vehicles, a senior official from its German parent Daimler AG said on Saturday. Daimler's Executive Vice President in China Leng Yan made the comments to reporters on the sidelines of China's EV100 forum in Beijing, an annual event where senior auto industry executives meet to discuss policies and the market. Geely and Mercedes-Benz said on Wednesday they would each invest 2.7 billion yuan ($388.8 million) in a China-based venture to build "premium and intelligent electrified" vehicles under the Smart brand. Like Mercedes-Benz, Smart is a Daimler marque. The firms said at the time that the venture, which will be based in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, will have manufacturing capacity in China and sales operations in China and Germany. Geely, which holds a 9.7 per cent stake in Stuttgart-based Daimler, is building car plants in Xian, according to construction bidding documents on its website. Daimler, which partners with BAIC Group to make luxury Mercedes-Benz cars in Beijing, also builds trucks with BAIC's unit Beiqi Foton Motor. Smart delivered about 116,800 vehicles worldwide in 2019, Daimler said in a January 9 statement.

Mercedes-Benz partners with Geely to build smart brand cars in China's Xian: Senior Official

Luxury automaker Daimler said Friday it would scrap at least 10,000 jobs worldwide, the latest in a wave of layoffs to hit the stuttering German car industry as it battles with a costly switch to electric.

The Mercedes-Benz maker said it wanted to save 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in staff costs by the end of 2022 as it joins rivals in investing huge sums in the greener, smarter cars of the future.

"The total number worldwide will be in the five-digits," Daimler personnel chief Wilfried Porth said in a conference call about the job cull.

He declined to give a more detailed breakdown.

The group said in an earlier statement that "thousands" of jobs would be axed by the end of 2022, after clinching a deal with labour representatives.

The cull includes slashing management jobs "by 10 per cent", Daimler said, reportedly amounting to some 1,100 positions around the world.

"The automotive industry is in the middle of the biggest transformation in its history," Daimler said.

"The development towards CO2-neutral mobility requires large investments," it added.

Along with other manufacturers, Daimler is scrambling to get ready for tough new EU emission rules taking effect next year, forcing it to accelerate the costly shift to zero-emissions electric cars and plug-in hybrids.

The group, which employs 304,000 people globally, said the job cuts would be achieved through natural turnover, early retirement schemes and severance packages.

Fewer parts needed

Daimler's announcement comes as the mighty German car industry is buffeted by trade tensions, weaker Chinese demand and a darkening economic outlook.

Other major car companies have in recent months already unveiled plans to cut some 30,000 jobs in the sector over the next years.

Germany's Audi said it wants to axe 9,500 jobs, followed by more than 5,000 at Volkswagen, some 5,500 at car parts supplier Continental, while Bosch aims to cut more than 2,000 roles.

US car giant Ford plans to scrap some 5,000 jobs in Germany alone.

Electric engines require fewer parts and are less complicated to assemble than internal combustion engines, needing fewer hands.

But auto bosses have said thousands of new, hi-tech jobs will also be created in the electric era to make cars more autonomous and connected.

German automotive expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer has said he believes the German car sector -- which currently employs 800,000 people -- will shed 250,000 jobs over the next decade.&nbsp;

A total of 125,000 new ones will be created, he predicted.

Daimler returned to profit in the third quarter and said it was expecting 2019 revenues to be "slightly above" last year's, while operating profit would be "significantly below" the 11.1 billion euros in 2018.

Adding to Daimler's woes this year were expensive recalls linked to faulty Takata airbags and to diesel cars allegedly fitted with software to dupe emissions tests.

While the company has staunchly denied cheating, it nevertheless agreed to pay an 870-million-euro fine in Germany for having sold vehicles that did not conform with legal emissions limits.

Luxury automaker Daimler said Friday it would scrap at least 10,000 jobs worldwide, the latest in a wave of layoffs to hit the stuttering German car industry as it battles with a costly switch to electric.

Luxury automaker Daimler said Friday it would scrap at least 10,000 jobs worldwide, the latest in a wave of layoffs to hit the stuttering German car industry as it battles with a costly switch to electric. The Mercedes-Benz maker said it wanted to save 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in staff costs by the end of 2022 as it joins rivals in investing huge sums in the greener, smarter cars of the future. "The total number worldwide will be in the five-digits," Daimler personnel chief Wilfried Porth said in a conference call about the job cull. He declined to give a more detailed breakdown. The group said in an earlier statement that "thousands" of jobs would be axed by the end of 2022, after clinching a deal with labour representatives. The cull includes slashing management jobs "by 10 per cent", Daimler said, reportedly amounting to some 1,100 positions around the world. "The automotive industry is in the middle of the biggest transformation in its history," Daimler said. "The development towards CO2-neutral mobility requires large investments," it added. Along with other manufacturers, Daimler is scrambling to get ready for tough new EU emission rules taking effect next year, forcing it to accelerate the costly shift to zero-emissions electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The group, which employs 304,000 people globally, said the job cuts would be achieved through natural turnover, early retirement schemes and severance packages. Fewer parts needed Daimler's announcement comes as the mighty German car industry is buffeted by trade tensions, weaker Chinese demand and a darkening economic outlook. Other major car companies have in recent months already unveiled plans to cut some 30,000 jobs in the sector over the next years. Germany's Audi said it wants to axe 9,500 jobs, followed by more than 5,000 at Volkswagen, some 5,500 at car parts supplier Continental, while Bosch aims to cut more than 2,000 roles. US car giant Ford plans to scrap some 5,000 jobs in Germany alone. Electric engines require fewer parts and are less complicated to assemble than internal combustion engines, needing fewer hands. But auto bosses have said thousands of new, hi-tech jobs will also be created in the electric era to make cars more autonomous and connected. German automotive expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer has said he believes the German car sector -- which currently employs 800,000 people -- will shed 250,000 jobs over the next decade. A total of 125,000 new ones will be created, he predicted. Daimler returned to profit in the third quarter and said it was expecting 2019 revenues to be "slightly above" last year's, while operating profit would be "significantly below" the 11.1 billion euros in 2018. Adding to Daimler's woes this year were expensive recalls linked to faulty Takata airbags and to diesel cars allegedly fitted with software to dupe emissions tests. While the company has staunchly denied cheating, it nevertheless agreed to pay an 870-million-euro fine in Germany for having sold vehicles that did not conform with legal emissions limits.

More pain for German car industry as Daimler axes 10,000 jobs

Daimler must recall 60,000 Mercedes diesel cars in Germany after regulators found that they were fitted with software aimed at distorting emissions tests, the Transportation Ministry said on Saturday.

The model affected is the Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 produced between 2012 and 2015.&nbsp;

Daimler confirmed that the recall was ordered on Friday but said that it would appeal against the decision while continuing to cooperate with regulators.

The ministry said that it was expanding its investigation into further models.&nbsp;

Since rival Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to cheating US emissions tests, the scandal has spread to other carmakers. Daimler has ordered the recall of 3 million vehicles to fix excess emissions coming from their diesel engines.

Germany`s Bild am Sonntag, which first reported the recall on Saturday, had reported in April that the German auto regulator was looking into suspicious software in the Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI cars produced between 2012 and 2015, after tests showed they only meet emissions limits when a certain function is activated.

Daimler must recall 60,000 Mercedes diesel cars in Germany after regulators found that they were fitted with software aimed at distorting emissions tests, the Transportation Ministry said on Saturday.

Daimler must recall 60,000 Mercedes diesel cars in Germany after regulators found that they were fitted with software aimed at distorting emissions tests, the Transportation Ministry said on Saturday. The model affected is the Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 produced between 2012 and 2015. Daimler confirmed that the recall was ordered on Friday but said that it would appeal against the decision while continuing to cooperate with regulators. The ministry said that it was expanding its investigation into further models. Since rival Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to cheating US emissions tests, the scandal has spread to other carmakers. Daimler has ordered the recall of 3 million vehicles to fix excess emissions coming from their diesel engines. Germany`s Bild am Sonntag, which first reported the recall on Saturday, had reported in April that the German auto regulator was looking into suspicious software in the Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI cars produced between 2012 and 2015, after tests showed they only meet emissions limits when a certain function is activated.

Daimler to recall 60,000 Mercedes diesels in Germany over emissions

Estonia's Bolt, which until early 2019 was called Taxify, will on Tuesday re-enter the competitive London taxi market, promising cheaper rides to passengers and a better cut to drivers than its bigger global rival <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uber-hit-with-australia-class-action-ahead-of-stock-listing-215549">Uber Technologies Inc</a>.

The move comes a month after Uber drivers in London joined a series of strikes to protest the disparity between gig-economy conditions and the massive $82 billion valuation at Uber's stock market debut.

"Uber is basically a monopoly. At the same time, an average Uber driver makes less than minimum wage," Bolt founder Markus Villig said.

Uber takes around 25 per cent from drivers using its app. Bolt promises to charge in London in first two months just 7.5 per cent and later 15 per cent, arguing happier drivers provide a better service.

Bolt, which has grabbed business from Uber in Central and Eastern Europe and major African cities, counts more than 25 million clients in 30 countries where it operates.

Bolt's first attempt to enter the London market was stopped by transport regulators who denied it a licence in 2017.

Bolt rebranded earlier in 2019 to ensure the ride-hailing service is not confused for taxis and to represent its widening offering - it has launched motorcycle services in Africa and scooter rentals in selected cities - but these are still small.

"The numbers, when compared to cars, are still negligible," Villig said.

Bolt last year raised $175 million in funding from a group led by German automaker Daimler to help its battle against Uber.

Estonia's Bolt, which until early 2019 was called Taxify, will on Tuesday re-enter the competitive London taxi market, promising cheaper rides to passengers and a better cut to drivers than its bigger global rival Uber Technologies Inc.

Estonia's Bolt, which until early 2019 was called Taxify, will on Tuesday re-enter the competitive London taxi market, promising cheaper rides to passengers and a better cut to drivers than its bigger global rival Uber Technologies Inc. The move comes a month after Uber drivers in London joined a series of strikes to protest the disparity between gig-economy conditions and the massive $82 billion valuation at Uber's stock market debut. "Uber is basically a monopoly. At the same time, an average Uber driver makes less than minimum wage," Bolt founder Markus Villig said. Uber takes around 25 per cent from drivers using its app. Bolt promises to charge in London in first two months just 7.5 per cent and later 15 per cent, arguing happier drivers provide a better service. Bolt, which has grabbed business from Uber in Central and Eastern Europe and major African cities, counts more than 25 million clients in 30 countries where it operates. Bolt's first attempt to enter the London market was stopped by transport regulators who denied it a licence in 2017. Bolt rebranded earlier in 2019 to ensure the ride-hailing service is not confused for taxis and to represent its widening offering - it has launched motorcycle services in Africa and scooter rentals in selected cities - but these are still small. "The numbers, when compared to cars, are still negligible," Villig said. Bolt last year raised $175 million in funding from a group led by German automaker Daimler to help its battle against Uber.

Bolt, Uber's European rival seeks to enter London market

US&nbsp;investigators probing Mercedes maker Daimler have found that its cars were equipped with software which may have helped them to pass diesel emissions tests, a German newspaper reported on Sunday, citing confidential documents.

There has been growing scrutiny of diesel vehicles since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing secret software on 580,000 US&nbsp;vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable emissions while meeting standards when tested by regulators.

Daimler, which faces ongoing investigations by US&nbsp;and German authorities into excess diesel emissions, has said investigations could lead to significant penalties and recalls.

The Bild am Sonntag newspaper said that the documents showed that US&nbsp;investigators had found several software functions that helped Daimler cars pass emissions tests, including one which switched off emissions cleaning after 26 km of driving.

Another function under scrutiny allowed the emissions cleaning system to recognise whether the car was being tested based on speed or acceleration patterns.

Bild am Sonntag also cited emails from Daimler engineers questioning whether these software functions were legal.

A Daimler spokesman declined to comment on the content of the documents, saying the German company was fully cooperating with the US&nbsp;authorities and had agreed upon strict confidentiality with the Department of Justice.

&quot;The authorities know the documents and no complaint has been filed,&quot; the spokesman said. &quot;The documents available to Bild have obviously selectively been released in order to harm Daimler and its 290,000 employees.&quot;&nbsp;

There has been growing scrutiny of diesel vehicles since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing such software in 580,000 US vehicles

US investigators probing Mercedes maker Daimler have found that its cars were equipped with software which may have helped them to pass diesel emissions tests, a German newspaper reported on Sunday, citing confidential documents. There has been growing scrutiny of diesel vehicles since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing secret software on 580,000 US vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable emissions while meeting standards when tested by regulators. Daimler, which faces ongoing investigations by US and German authorities into excess diesel emissions, has said investigations could lead to significant penalties and recalls. The Bild am Sonntag newspaper said that the documents showed that US investigators had found several software functions that helped Daimler cars pass emissions tests, including one which switched off emissions cleaning after 26 km of driving. Another function under scrutiny allowed the emissions cleaning system to recognise whether the car was being tested based on speed or acceleration patterns. Bild am Sonntag also cited emails from Daimler engineers questioning whether these software functions were legal. A Daimler spokesman declined to comment on the content of the documents, saying the German company was fully cooperating with the US authorities and had agreed upon strict confidentiality with the Department of Justice. "The authorities know the documents and no complaint has been filed," the spokesman said. "The documents available to Bild have obviously selectively been released in order to harm Daimler and its 290,000 employees."

Daimler may also have used secret software to pass US emissions tests: Report

There seems to be no relief for German car makers. After Volkswagen, it&rsquo;s time for Mercedes-maker Daimler to face the wrath of US authorities for cheating to pass diesel emissions tests.&nbsp;

In 2015, Volkswagen was found to be fitting millions of diesel engines worldwide with software to distort emission data. And now German carmaker Daimler has been accused of conducting a similar illegal practice in the US.&nbsp;

Mercedes-maker Daimler has been accused of equipping cars with software to pass diesel emissions tests in the US. Results of internal testing revealed that some of the Mercedes models emit ten times the country&#39;s nitrogen oxide limit.&nbsp;

&nbsp;It is important to understand that a huge amount of nitrogen oxides in the air is poisonous. It can contribute to acid rain, can lead to suffocating smog, and can cause breathing problems and headaches in humans.

It has been reported that Daimler used software devices in cars to regulate the amount of a special fluid known as ad blue, which is used in the engines to neutralise harmful nitrogen oxides.

It comes around three years after Volkswagen admitted to installing secret software on 580,000 US vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times the legal limit.

U.S. Investigators are reported to have found a couple of software functions that helped Daimler cars pass emissions tests. For instance, the &ldquo;bit 15&rdquo; software switched off the car&rsquo;s emission control system after 26 kilometres of driving.

Slipguard, on the other hand, allowed the emissions cleaning system to recognise whether the car was being tested based on speed or acceleration patterns.&nbsp;

A Daimler spokesman declines to comment on the content of the documents that have been quoted in the media. He says the company is fully cooperating with the US authorities and has agreed upon strict confidentiality with the Department of Justice.&nbsp;

A Daimler spokesperson says: &ldquo;the documents available to Bild have obviously selectively been released in order to harm Daimler and its 290,000 employees,&rdquo; says a Daimler spokesperson.&nbsp;

U.S. Investigators are probing Mercedes-maker Daimler. Investigations could lead to significant penalties and recalls.&nbsp;

It&rsquo;s yet to be seen how the US authorities respond to the entire case, but here is an interesting thing to note. It&rsquo;s ironic to see that while Daimler has been accused in the US for cheating on emission tests, it is contributing to a government-funded project in Germany that aims to cut down on air pollution.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

While Daimler has been accused in the US for cheating on emission tests, it is contributing to a government-funded project in Germany that aims to cut down on air pollution.

There seems to be no relief for German car makers. After Volkswagen, it’s time for Mercedes-maker Daimler to face the wrath of US authorities for cheating to pass diesel emissions tests. In 2015, Volkswagen was found to be fitting millions of diesel engines worldwide with software to distort emission data. And now German carmaker Daimler has been accused of conducting a similar illegal practice in the US. Mercedes-maker Daimler has been accused of equipping cars with software to pass diesel emissions tests in the US. Results of internal testing revealed that some of the Mercedes models emit ten times the country's nitrogen oxide limit. It is important to understand that a huge amount of nitrogen oxides in the air is poisonous. It can contribute to acid rain, can lead to suffocating smog, and can cause breathing problems and headaches in humans. It has been reported that Daimler used software devices in cars to regulate the amount of a special fluid known as ad blue, which is used in the engines to neutralise harmful nitrogen oxides. It comes around three years after Volkswagen admitted to installing secret software on 580,000 US vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times the legal limit. U.S. Investigators are reported to have found a couple of software functions that helped Daimler cars pass emissions tests. For instance, the “bit 15” software switched off the car’s emission control system after 26 kilometres of driving. Slipguard, on the other hand, allowed the emissions cleaning system to recognise whether the car was being tested based on speed or acceleration patterns. A Daimler spokesman declines to comment on the content of the documents that have been quoted in the media. He says the company is fully cooperating with the US authorities and has agreed upon strict confidentiality with the Department of Justice. A Daimler spokesperson says: “the documents available to Bild have obviously selectively been released in order to harm Daimler and its 290,000 employees,” says a Daimler spokesperson. U.S. Investigators are probing Mercedes-maker Daimler. Investigations could lead to significant penalties and recalls. It’s yet to be seen how the US authorities respond to the entire case, but here is an interesting thing to note. It’s ironic to see that while Daimler has been accused in the US for cheating on emission tests, it is contributing to a government-funded project in Germany that aims to cut down on air pollution. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Is German car company Daimler poisoning our air?

German carmakers came under fire Monday following revelations they helped finance experiments that saw humans and monkeys exposed to toxic diesel fumes that have been linked to asthma, lung diseases and heart attacks.

The disclosures sparked widespread outrage, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel who strongly condemned the latest controversy to engulf the nation&#39;s powerful but scandal-tainted auto industry

&quot;These tests on monkeys or even humans are in no way ethically justified,&quot; said Merkel&#39;s spokesman Steffen Seibert.

&quot;The indignation felt by many people is completely understandable.&quot;

Earlier Monday the Sueddeutsche and Stuttgarter Zeitung dailies reported that a research group funded by Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW had measured the effects of inhaling nitrogen oxide gases on 25 healthy human beings at a German university hospital.

The revelation came just days after the New York Times wrote that the same organisation carried out tests on monkeys in the United States in 2014.

According to the NYT article, the researchers locked 10 monkeys into airtight chambers and made them breathe in diesel exhausts from a VW Beetle while watching cartoons.

Volkswagen apologised for the animal testing at the weekend, saying the group &quot;distances itself clearly from all forms of animal abuse&quot;.

Special meeting&nbsp;

The German government has called a special meeting with the affected car companies to ask them to explain themselves, said acting transport minister Christian Schmidt.

&quot;This has once again damaged trust in the auto industry,&quot; he said.

It was VW&#39;s admission in 2015 that it had manipulated 11 million diesel cars with cheating software to make them seems less polluting than they were that brought close scrutiny to the industry, which had long touted diesels as better for the environment than gasoline-powered engines.

Several German cities grappling with air pollution are now mulling diesel bans.

All three German carmakers have distanced themselves from the research body in question -- the now defunct European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) -- and promised to launch internal investigations.

&quot;The BMW Group did not participate in the mentioned studies,&quot; the luxury carmaker said in a statement.

&quot;We are appalled by the extent of the studies and their implementation,&quot; a Daimler spokesman told AFP.

While it was the EUGT that commissioned both tests, the organisation itself was financed by the trio of car giants hoping its research would defend diesel&#39;s green reputation -- and the valuable tax breaks that go with it.

The car companies decided in late 2016 to dissolve the EUGT, which finally shut its doors last year.

No significant effects

The tests involving 25 human volunteers were carried out at a university hospital in the German city of Aachen in 2013 and 2014.

As part of the study, the participants were exposed for several hours to different levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) -- the most toxic form of nitrogen oxide and commonly found in diesel exhausts.&nbsp;

The researchers detected &quot;no significant effects&quot;, according to a summary of the study.

But Thomas Kraus, the head of the relevant department at the university hospital in Aachen, told German media the findings were limited as they weren&#39;t representative of the wider population and didn&#39;t take into account general air pollution.

The institute released a statement stressing the study had been approved by the university hospital&#39;s ethics commission.

The study was carried out before &quot;dieselgate&quot; erupted and was not linked to diesel emissions testing or to experiments involving monkeys, it added.

On its website the World Health Organization points to &quot;growing evidence&quot; that nitrogen dioxide exposure &quot;can increase symptoms of bronchitis and asthma, as well as lead to respiratory infections and reduced lung function and growth.&quot;

Exposure is &quot;linked to premature mortality... from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases,&quot; it states.

Absurd

The premier of Lower Saxony, whose state is home to VW&#39;s Wolfsburg headquarters and is one of the group&#39;s biggest shareholders, echoed Berlin&#39;s repudiation of the tests.

The experiments are &quot;absurd and disgusting&quot; said Weil, whose state holds two seats on VW&#39;s supervisory board.

He reminded the VW group that it &quot;must meet all ethical requirements&quot;.

The latest scandal &quot;will have a lasting impact on the public&#39;s trust in the auto industry,&quot; predicted analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of the Center for Automotive Research.

A research group funded by Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW had measured the effects of inhaling nitrogen oxide gases on 25 healthy human beings at a German university hospital

German carmakers came under fire Monday following revelations they helped finance experiments that saw humans and monkeys exposed to toxic diesel fumes that have been linked to asthma, lung diseases and heart attacks. The disclosures sparked widespread outrage, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel who strongly condemned the latest controversy to engulf the nation's powerful but scandal-tainted auto industry "These tests on monkeys or even humans are in no way ethically justified," said Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert. "The indignation felt by many people is completely understandable." Earlier Monday the Sueddeutsche and Stuttgarter Zeitung dailies reported that a research group funded by Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW had measured the effects of inhaling nitrogen oxide gases on 25 healthy human beings at a German university hospital. The revelation came just days after the New York Times wrote that the same organisation carried out tests on monkeys in the United States in 2014. According to the NYT article, the researchers locked 10 monkeys into airtight chambers and made them breathe in diesel exhausts from a VW Beetle while watching cartoons. Volkswagen apologised for the animal testing at the weekend, saying the group "distances itself clearly from all forms of animal abuse". Special meeting The German government has called a special meeting with the affected car companies to ask them to explain themselves, said acting transport minister Christian Schmidt. "This has once again damaged trust in the auto industry," he said. It was VW's admission in 2015 that it had manipulated 11 million diesel cars with cheating software to make them seems less polluting than they were that brought close scrutiny to the industry, which had long touted diesels as better for the environment than gasoline-powered engines. Several German cities grappling with air pollution are now mulling diesel bans. All three German carmakers have distanced themselves from the research body in question -- the now defunct European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) -- and promised to launch internal investigations. "The BMW Group did not participate in the mentioned studies," the luxury carmaker said in a statement. "We are appalled by the extent of the studies and their implementation," a Daimler spokesman told AFP. While it was the EUGT that commissioned both tests, the organisation itself was financed by the trio of car giants hoping its research would defend diesel's green reputation -- and the valuable tax breaks that go with it. The car companies decided in late 2016 to dissolve the EUGT, which finally shut its doors last year. No significant effects The tests involving 25 human volunteers were carried out at a university hospital in the German city of Aachen in 2013 and 2014. As part of the study, the participants were exposed for several hours to different levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) -- the most toxic form of nitrogen oxide and commonly found in diesel exhausts. The researchers detected "no significant effects", according to a summary of the study. But Thomas Kraus, the head of the relevant department at the university hospital in Aachen, told German media the findings were limited as they weren't representative of the wider population and didn't take into account general air pollution. The institute released a statement stressing the study had been approved by the university hospital's ethics commission. The study was carried out before "dieselgate" erupted and was not linked to diesel emissions testing or to experiments involving monkeys, it added. On its website the World Health Organization points to "growing evidence" that nitrogen dioxide exposure "can increase symptoms of bronchitis and asthma, as well as lead to respiratory infections and reduced lung function and growth." Exposure is "linked to premature mortality... from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases," it states. Absurd The premier of Lower Saxony, whose state is home to VW's Wolfsburg headquarters and is one of the group's biggest shareholders, echoed Berlin's repudiation of the tests. The experiments are "absurd and disgusting" said Weil, whose state holds two seats on VW's supervisory board. He reminded the VW group that it "must meet all ethical requirements". The latest scandal "will have a lasting impact on the public's trust in the auto industry," predicted analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of the Center for Automotive Research.

German carmakers under fire for diesel tests on humans, monkeys

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