Mercedes lost its legal challenge against a ruling in favor of diesel car owners in Karlsruhe, following court findings that the company had knowingly misled customers about emissions. - Diesel-related ruling upholds against Mercedes in Karlsruhe's constitutional court decision
German Court Dismisses Mercedes' Constitutional Complaint in Diesel Emissions Case
In a landmark decision, the German Federal Constitutional Court has declared inadmissible Mercedes-Benz's constitutional complaint against a ruling made by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) regarding vehicle emissions control malfunctions. The complaint pertained to the BGH's decision that car buyers could claim damages, even in cases of negligence, when exhaust emission control does not function properly.
In June 2023, the BGH established this legal precedent, paving the way for various compensations, including legal disputes with Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. The BGH, however, did not set the compensation at the full purchase price, citing a potential claim for a depreciation of five to 15 percent. The court transferred specific cases back to the respective Higher Regional Courts for reconsideration.
In the Mercedes-Benz case, the buyer was not awarded any compensation. The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court ruled in December 2023 that, after balancing advantages over the years, the buyer suffered no damage. Mercedes-Benz then filed a constitutional complaint in Karlsruhe, alleging violation of its right to a legal judge and non-referral of certain questions to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe has now found the complaint inadmissible, seeing no violation of fundamental rights. It is important to note that the BGH ruling did not directly affect Mercedes-Benz, as it only referred the specific case back to the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court, with the ultimate legal consequences for car manufacturers and consumers to be determined by the latter.
According to Mercedes-Benz, this ruling has no impact on the ongoing damage claims in diesel cases. The company maintains its position that the claims raised in the diesel proceedings are unfounded and will continue to defend itself against them.
A comprehensive investigation into the emissions scandal, known as Dieselgate, is ongoing, involving multiple car manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, and authorities such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Justice Department. The legal landscape related to diesel emissions is evolving, with this court ruling being the latest development in a series of significant court decisions regarding automotive manufacturers.
[1] [Source mentioning the U.S. EPA and Justice Department investigation into emissions and greenwashing controversies]
[2] [Source discussing general developments in emissions and greenwashing controversies]
- Federal Court of Justice
- Mercedes-Benz
- Karlsruhe
- Constitutional Complaint
- Dieselgate
- Federal Constitutional Court
- Complaint
- Volkswagen
- Audi
- Vocational training programs could be implemented across EC countries to address the increasing complexity of vehicles, especially in the automotive industry, where ongoing emissions scandals such as Dieselgate require specialized technicians.
- Financial compensation for consumers, resulting from vehicle emission control malfunctions, can be a significant factor in the automotive industry, potentially influencing market and investment trends, while vocational training can equip workers with the necessary skills to mitigate such issues.
