Mercedes agrees to pay Oregon, Washington millions in emissions fraud settlement

Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler will pay a combined $150 million to multiple states, including Oregon and Washington, to settle allegations of emissions fraud. Oregon will receive $2.6 million, and Washington will receive over $3 million. The settlement stems from accusations that Mercedes equipped diesel vehicles with illegal software designed to cheat emissions tests between 2008 and 2016, exceeding legal limits for nitrogen oxide emissions. Officials allege Mercedes concealed these “defeat devices” while marketing the vehicles as environmentally friendly.

In addition to the immediate $120 million payment, Mercedes will pay $2,000 per affected vehicle and provide an extended warranty valued at approximately $1,200 per consumer. A further $29.7 million is suspended pending a consumer relief program. The total value of the settlement is estimated to reach $347 million nationally, impacting roughly 4,094 vehicles in Oregon and nearly 5,000 in Washington.

This settlement follows similar agreements with Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler, and Robert Bosch regarding emissions cheating. Mercedes is required to install approved emission modification software on affected vehicles and adhere to stricter reporting and marketing standards to prevent future deceptive practices.

(Source：Kgw)