Mercedes starts German trial over alleged cheating on diesel tests

BERLIN -- Mercedes-Benz is facing a class action-style lawsuit that alleges the automaker knowingly manipulated diesel-emissions tests by installing defeat devices.

Germany's largest consumer protection group, the VZBZ, accused the automaker of installing devices in its GLK and GLC crossovers that in tests made it appear the vehicles produced lower pollutant levels than they actually did in traffic.

The crux of the case before the court in Stuttgart is whether Mercedes knowingly deceived customers by controlling the purification of exhaust gas, thus meriting claims for damages.

The lawsuit seeks to set a precedent that would enable owners of Mercedes GLC and GLK vehicles to gain compensation for software that was allegedly used to trick emissions tests.

The lawsuit covers nearly 50,000 GLC and GLK models and was made possible after Germany passed a law in 2018 that allowed consumer protection organizations to litigate on behalf of the consumers they represent, avoiding the high legal costs that could discourage people from bringing legal action.

Mercedes said the claims by diesel customers as well as the lawsuit were unfounded.

Over 25,000 such claims have been brought before courts -- 95 percent of which have failed, the automaker said.

The matter is part of the wider emissions scandal that has cost rival Volkswagen Group billions of euros in vehicle refits, fines and legal costs.