This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36108385
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Daimler opens internal emissions probe | Daimler opens internal emissions probe |
(35 minutes later) | |
Daimler shares fell more than 5% in early trading after the carmaker said it had begun an internal investigation into its diesel emissions testing. | |
The owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand said it was conducting the probe at the request of the US Justice Department. | The owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand said it was conducting the probe at the request of the US Justice Department. |
"Daimler is co-operating fully with the authorities," the German company said. | |
Separately, on Friday, Daimler posted a 31% fall in first-quarter profits as costs of new car launches weighed on the bottom line. | |
News of Daimler's investigation comes after Volkswagen agreed a deal with the US over its emissions scandal, in which it will offer compensation and buy back some cars. | News of Daimler's investigation comes after Volkswagen agreed a deal with the US over its emissions scandal, in which it will offer compensation and buy back some cars. |
Last year, US regulators discovered that VW cars were fitted with software that could distort emissions tests. | Last year, US regulators discovered that VW cars were fitted with software that could distort emissions tests. |
And just this week Japan's Mitsubishi Motors admitted rigging data on some of its models' fuel efficiency, while France's Peugeot has been raided by anti-fraud officials as part of ongoing investigations on pollutants in the car industry. But Peugeot says the pollutant emissions are compliant. | And just this week Japan's Mitsubishi Motors admitted rigging data on some of its models' fuel efficiency, while France's Peugeot has been raided by anti-fraud officials as part of ongoing investigations on pollutants in the car industry. But Peugeot says the pollutant emissions are compliant. |
Daimler said it would "investigate possible indications of irregularities and of course take all necessary action". | Daimler said it would "investigate possible indications of irregularities and of course take all necessary action". |
Six months ago the US Environmental Protection Agency said it would review diesel vehicle emissions in light of the VW revelations. | Six months ago the US Environmental Protection Agency said it would review diesel vehicle emissions in light of the VW revelations. |
In addition, US owners of Daimler's Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesels filed a class-action lawsuit claiming the cars are programmed in a way that lets them emit illegal levels of emissions, similar to diesels made by fellow German carmaker Volkswagen. | In addition, US owners of Daimler's Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesels filed a class-action lawsuit claiming the cars are programmed in a way that lets them emit illegal levels of emissions, similar to diesels made by fellow German carmaker Volkswagen. |
Daimler says the lawsuit's claims are without merit and that the Justice Department investigation is unrelated. | Daimler says the lawsuit's claims are without merit and that the Justice Department investigation is unrelated. |
Joe Rundle, head of trading at ETX Capital, said: "Daimler is the next in the firing line as it opens an investigation at the request of the DoJ - the fall in its share price today reflects investors' nervousness about a problem that could easily escalate, even if the company says the class actions against it are baseless." | |
The company also reported a 31% fall in net profit in the first quarter to €1.3bn ($1.5bn; £1.1bn) in a separate statement later. Revenue rose 2% to €35bn on vehicle sales of 683,885, a 7% increase. | The company also reported a 31% fall in net profit in the first quarter to €1.3bn ($1.5bn; £1.1bn) in a separate statement later. Revenue rose 2% to €35bn on vehicle sales of 683,885, a 7% increase. |
Higher costs outweighed record sales in China. | Higher costs outweighed record sales in China. |
On the earnings conference call, chief finance officer Bodo Uebber refused to comment further on the emissions investigation. | On the earnings conference call, chief finance officer Bodo Uebber refused to comment further on the emissions investigation. |