It’s safe to say that Volkswagen’s diesel drama has tainted the diesel industry, with many automakers now questioning their plans to offer them in the U.S. If you were in the market for a new Mercedes-Benz diesel in the U.S., you’ll be sad to hear that the automaker has canceled plans to seek approval to sell its 2017 diesel models.
“We constantly review our portfolio offerings and make adjustments to meet immediate customer need,” Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran said in an email. “Combined with the increased effort to certify diesel engines in the U.S., we have put the certification process for diesel passenger cars on hold.”
Related: Mercedes-AMG GT concept confirmed, expect a 2018 debut
The decision isn’t too surprising, since the U.S. Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board are currently investigating the emissions of Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles.
It remains to be seen if Mercedes-Benz will permanently cancel plans to sell its diesel vehicles in the U.S., but it may be an easy decision, since diesel sales accounted for less than 1 percent of all sales in 2016 in the U.S.
Source: Automotive News
