The settlement, reached between Mercedes-Benz USA, its parent company Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and a coalition of 50 state attorneys general, resolves accusations that the automaker used “defeat devices” to cheat pollution standards.
Investigators found that from 2008 to 2016, Mercedes sold more than 211,000 diesel cars and vans nationwide — including more than 7,600 in Ohio — that appeared compliant during emissions testing but emitted far more nitrogen oxide during regular driving. The pollutant contributes to smog and has been linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
“Mercedes took a bypass around the law at the expense of consumers and the air we all breathe,” Yost said in a statement. “It’s not that hard to follow the rules.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Mercedes will pay $120 million immediately to the states. Another $29.6 million will be waived if the company successfully completes a consumer relief program. Ohio’s share of the settlement exceeds $2.1 million.
To compensate affected owners, Mercedes is required to repair or permanently remove the noncompliant vehicles from the road at no cost, extend warranty coverage after approved fixes, and issue $2,000 payments to qualifying vehicle owners.
The settlement also mandates that Mercedes reform its marketing practices to prevent misleading claims about environmental performance. The company will be subject to ongoing reporting and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to the agreement.
The case marks one of the largest multistate settlements over diesel emissions since the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” scandal, underscoring continued state scrutiny of automakers’ environmental practices.
