Daimler to recall 3 million vehicles to ease diesel doubts
FRANKFURT — German automaker Daimler will voluntarily recall 3 million Mercedes-Benz brand cars with diesel engines in Europe to improve their emissions performance, the company said Tuesday in the wake of widespread public debate over the future of diesel.
The Stuttgart-based company said it was taking the step to reassure drivers and strengthen confidence in the technology.
Diesels have been under a cloud since Daimler’s competitor Volkswagen admitted equipping vehicles with illegal software that meant they passed emissions tests, but then exceeded limits in everyday driving. There has been a push for diesel bans in some German cities because of concerns about levels of nitrogen oxide emitted by diesels.
“The public debate about diesel engines is creating uncertainty — especially for our customers,” Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said.