Daimler Hit with $960 Million Fine over Diesel Violations in Germany
» Posted November 6, 2019 • Resources | Share This Post
German car manufacturer Daimler AG is staring down the barrel of a big bill in its home country, where investigators say the company rigged cars to cheat emissions standards.
Daimler has agreed to pay $960 million to resolve the probe, Bloomberg News reports. Some 684,000 cars that didn’t meet emission standards were reportedly equipped with software that allowed them to pass tests and then loosen up on the road.
“After weighing all aspects, Daimler has refrained from taking a legal remedy in the public prosecutor’s administrative offense proceeding,” Daimler said in a press statement following the settlement. “It is in the Company’s best interest to end the administrative offense proceeding in a timely and comprehensive manner and thereby conclude this matter.”
Bloomberg points out that the settlement is the latest in the continuing fallout from the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency in 2015 caught VW deliberately misrepresenting emissions information about diesel vehicles and tricking systems to give false reads. The scandal cost the company at least $25 billion.
Porsche agreed in May to pay about $588 million to settle claims similar to those against Daimler.
Legal Protections for California Car Owners, Lessors
In addition to the significant amounts of money car manufacturers have been forced to fork over, the emissions scandal’s lasting impact may be the serious questions it raises about whether automakers can be trusted. If they are willing bend the rules when it comes to emissions standards, what other corners might they be trying to cut?
The good news is that the California lemon law provides some important protections for car owners and lessors in the Golden State who find themselves with a defective vehicle. The law requires manufacturers to make certain repairs while the cars are under warranty and to buy the car back if the manufacturer is unwilling or unable to make the repairs. The car maker can also offer to instead replace the vehicle, an option the owner or lessor can accept or reject.
There is no specific number of repairs that a vehicle manufacturer must attempt in order for the law to kick in. That’s why it is vital to have a seasoned California lemon law attorney by your side. The law requires the manufacturer to pick up the tab for any legal fees that you incur while enforcing your rights.
Speak With a California Lemon Lawyer Today
If you are a California car owner or lessor with a defective vehicle, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced attorney. The California lemon law attorneys at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. We work tirelessly to resolve these cases for the people that we represent.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.
