The Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal has added Kia and Hyundai to its list of erring manufacturers. Just recently, German authorities raided the offices of the two carmakers due to allegations of the use of defeat devices in over 210,000 of their diesel vehicles.
Authorities raided eight of the carmakers’ offices in Germany and Luxembourg. According to some reports, the estimated number of investigators that went through the offices to look for evidence was around 140. The affected vehicles were said to have been sold by the Korean car manufacturers in Europe through 2020. As both Kia and Hyundai have not sold any of their diesel vehicles in the US, the raids focused mainly on offices in Europe.
The two carmakers separately confirmed the raids, with each of their representatives stating that they were coordinating and cooperating with the authorities. However, this isn’t the first time for both carmakers to be thrust into the spotlight in relation to cheating software. In the middle of 2010, Kia and Hyundai were investigated in relation to accusations of emissions subterfuge. The allegations were eventually dropped because authorities could not find significant evidence.
Also implicated in the emissions scam is Bosch, which supplied the software for the device. Delphi Technologies, now BorgWarner Inc, is held responsible as well. Like the Korean carmakers, BorgWarner is cooperating with the authorities.
What is the Dieselgate scandal?
The Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal broke in 2015 when Volkswagen was called out by US authorities because of illegal defeat devices in their diesel vehicles sold to American consumers. VW initially denied the allegations but later on confirmed they knowingly installed the cheat software in the vehicles.
The scandal eventually reached Europe and the UK, with thousands upon thousands of drivers affected by the defeat device.
Several years later, other car manufacturers started getting implicated in the scandal. Mercedes-Benz was the first carmaker to be added to the list. American owners of Mercedes vehicles were the first to file a claim, accusing the German carmaker of using the defeat device in their diesel Mercedes vehicles.
Other manufacturers soon joined the roster.
Vehicles equipped with defeat devices are pollutants. The device is designed to detect when a vehicle is being tested in a lab. Once it does, it then automatically reduces emissions levels so these fall within the legal limits set by the World Health Organization.
When the vehicle is brought out and driven in real-world driving conditions, however, the defeat device uncaps the vehicle’s emissions levels. As a result, the car or van emits alarming amounts of NOx or nitrogen oxides.
NOx or nitrogen oxides are harmful gases that have nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as primary components. NOx has environmental risks and negative human health impacts. It affects vegetation and can stunt the growth of vegetation. NOx also has detrimental effects on animals.
Nitrogen oxide is a primary factor in the formation of suffocating smog, acid rain, and ground-level ozone.
Numerous health impacts result from constant exposure to nitrogen oxides.
- Headaches
- Breathing problems
- Eye irritation
- Corroded or broken teeth
- Appetite loss
- Asthma or aggravated asthma
If a person is constantly exposed to high volumes of toxic nitrogen oxide:
- Chronically reduced lung function
- Increased risk for certain cancers
- Increased risk for cardiovascular diseases
- Asphyxiation
- Premature death
The number of early deaths as a result of air pollution is increasing, with the first one being the Ella Kissi-Debrah case. Ella was a nine-year-old girl who died in 2013 after several months of going in and out of the hospital for seizures and various respiratory diseases. After an inquest, the coroner ruled air pollution as the main cause of Ella’s death.
These environmental and health risks are the primary reason why car owners affected by the defeat device should file emissions claims.
How to file Mercedes emissions claim
Filing for emissions compensation is the only way for affected car drivers to get back what their manufacturer owes them. Carmakers deceived consumers by marketing and selling the vehicles at a premium price and with the promise that they were environmentally friendly. In reality, the vehicles are heavy pollutants.
The compensation process often takes weeks or months to complete. Some car owners are discouraged by this, but you shouldn’t be. All that you need to do to make your claims process efficient and convenient is work with a panel of emissions solicitors who are experienced in winning compensation for their clients.
Your Mercedes Emissions claim will be easier if you partner with the panel of solicitors at ClaimExperts.co.uk. They are highly experienced, well-trained, and experts. They have also won several compensation claims, so you’re guaranteed a higher chance of winning your case. Additionally, they offer a no-win-no-fee guarantee, so you won’t have to worry about your finances.
Visit the ClaimExperts.co.uk website now so you can see if you are eligible to claim.
