Prosecutors Raid Benz Korea... Investigation into Emission Manipulation Allegations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution has launched an investigation into allegations that Mercedes-Benz manipulated the emissions of approximately 30,000 diesel vehicles sold domestically.

According to the legal community on the 28th, the Criminal Division 5 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Han Yoon-kyung) conducted a search and seizure at the Mercedes-Benz Korea headquarters located in Jung-gu, Seoul, from the previous day until noon on the 28th, securing documents related to emissions certification.

A prosecution official explained, "This search and seizure was conducted following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Environment earlier this month."

The Ministry of Environment confirmed that Mercedes-Benz had installed emissions manipulation programs in 37,154 units of 12 models of Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles, including the C200d, sold domestically between 2012 and 2018, and filed a complaint with the prosecution earlier this month.

These Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles were found to have manipulated emissions by reducing the amount of urea solution used in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system or by lowering the operation rate of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system.

When the amount of SCR urea solution decreases or the EGR operation stops, nitrogen oxides, which are the main cause of fine dust, are excessively emitted. The Ministry of Environment has determined that the nitrogen oxide emissions from the detected Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles during driving exceed the indoor certification standard (0.08 g/km) by up to 13 times or more.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.