Daimler under preliminary investigation into suspicion of emission fraud

Daimler AG is under preliminary investigation by German public prosecutors who are investigating whether the company improperly evaded emissions rules.

In connection with its preliminary investigations of employees of Daimler AG, 11 of its locations were searched by the prosecutor's office on May 23. The 23 prosecutor's, in partnership with 230 state and local police officers, were in search of documents, digital and analogue, that could serve as evidence in their investigation into suspicion of fraud and criminal advertising relating to the possible manipulation of exhaust-gas aftertreatment in passenger cars with diesel engines.

Raids took place across Germany, including in Baden-Württemberg, where Daimler has its headquarters; in Berlin; and in the states of Lower Saxony and Saxony, the authorities said in a statement, according to a New York Times report. 

The company is fully cooperating with the authorities, according to Daimler news release.

Daimler AG also noted in the release that it has already provided information on governmental information requests, inquiries and investigations in annual reports and interim reports; in Interim Report Q1 2017, this also included the possibility of searches of Daimler premises.