Daimler boss Zetsche questioned over emissions

Daimler's CEO, Dieter Zetsche, has been questioned by German government officials over how many Mercedes-Benz vans and cars needed fixes to meet emission rules.

Summoned by the German Transport Ministry, the giant car-maker's boss was called in for questioning after the German motor vehicle authority (KBA) found 'software devices'.

Last week Daimler was ordered to recall Vito vans with 1.6-litre diesel engines after they were found to breach emission regulations.

Daimler now has until June 15 to come up with a fix for all affected Vito vans.

After a meeting with Zetsche, Germany's transport minister, Andreas Scheuer said: "We will have an in-depth exchange about highly technical questions with the aim of examining how many models are impacted," before adding: "At a further meeting in 14 days, concrete results will be on the table."

Zetsche, meanwhile, claimed he was happy with the meeting: "It was a good discussion. We will see each other again in 14 days."

According to Scheuer, the Vito vans caught up in the new investigation had a software device that 'manipulated' the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) process.

It's thought (but not confirmed) that the offending software is computer coding that governs how often the SCR system injects a liquid urea reduction agent through a catalyst to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions.

German newspaper Bild am Sonntag claims that regulators are probing around 40,000 Vito vans and 80,000 C-Class models for possible unlawful software that has managed, until now, to allow the vehicles to emit excess pollution without detection.

In response to allegations of illegal activity, Daimler has announced it is fully cooperating with the investigations and will appeal against any ruling that declares its software unlawful.

Further confusing the problems facing the German car maker is the fact that some Vito vans use engines sourced by Renault.

In January 2017, it was reported that French prosecutors opened a separate investigation into the Renault engine, claiming it too had software that deactivated anti-pollution functions, although the French car maker claims that, as part of the engine supply deal, it is Daimler's responsibility to set the engine software.

If that's not enough legal problems for Daimler its home city of Stuttgart, where its HQ is based, has launched its own probe into the car maker and supplier Robert Bosch for potential fraud and false advertising related to emissions.

Stuttgart's lawyers are reportedly working with prosecutors in France as part of its investigation.

Bosch is caught up in the allegations, says Stuttgart's legal team, over accusations its employees may have aided and abetted emissions fraud at not only Daimler, but Audi, Fiat and Chrysler, Automotive News has reported.