Daimler Rejects Allegations Of Manipulating Emission Tests

(RTTNews) - German luxury car giant Daimler AG (DDAIF.PK) has categorically denied allegations of manipulating emission tests regarding its vehicles. The company said that it has never used and will never use a so-called defeat device, a function which illegitimately reduces emissions during testing.

"This holds true for both diesel and petrol engines. Our engines meet and adhere to every legal requirement," Daimler, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars, said in a statement.

Daimler said that in response to a written request by the Deutsche Umwelthilfe or DUH, a non-government organization, the company was able to confirm that none of the allegations applied to its vehicles, and that its technical programming of its engines adhered to all legal requirements.

Further, the company said it had no knowledge of measurements that indicate its vehicles did not meet legally required standards.

Daimler also said it supported the measures being implemented in Europe and Germany to develop new testing methods that will measure emissions on real driving conditions and added that it will work "closely and constructively" with authorities in Germany, Europe and the U.S.

Daimler said it was evaluating its legal options pertaining to the approach taken and the public assertions made by the DUH.

German automaker Volkswagen AG (VKW.L, VLKAF.PK, VOW.BE) recently admitted to charges by the U.S. government over installing software to defeat emissions controls on nearly half a million diesel vehicles sold in the U.S. since 2008. The emissions scandal has hurt Volkswagen shares, leading to government probes.

Volkswagen's CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned on Wednesday after owning responsibility for the emissions scandal.

DDAIF.PK is trading at $73.11, up $0.09 or 0.12 percent on a volume of 4,343 shares.