Approximately 75,000 taxi drivers are planning to sue Mercedes-Benz over emissions-cheating scandal. A United Kingdom-based law firm is investigating the claims.
The taxi drivers from the United Kingdom would make legal claims of up to 5,000 pounds (approximately $6,000) each. They complain having overpaid for their vehicles following a possible installation of a defeat device and claim that they are entitled to compensations.
London-based law firm Harkus Parker is working on finding out whether 75,000 diesel taxi owners have been cheated, as their vehicles might be equipped with a device that indicates different figures during the emissions tests from those in real traffic, in order to comply with the European Union emissions regulations.
Taxi drivers also show concerns that their vehicles might depreciate in terms of resale, due to the possible defeat device, as well as that the possible recall could cause higher fuel consumptions and eventually, higher taxes.
What are the Mercedes-Benz models used as taxi in London?
There are Mercedes-Benz models very popular in the taxi services field in London. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Vito are at the top of the taxi driver preferences, as they provide high levels of comfort, safety and space. The premium car makers vehicles also have a reputation in terms of expected life-span and green credentials, says Damon Parker, managing partner of the law firm defending the rights of the taxi drivers.
Such units manufactured between 2014 and 2018 could be affected by the possible presence of a defeat device, Taxi-point.co.uk writes.
Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler was fined with 870 million euros last year, after a Stuttgart-based court ruled against it in a trial for negligently failing to supervise the production of the vehicles by installing the defeat devices.
The move has been made public by the law firm, calling vehicle owners to bring a claim on their website.
