PRESS RELEASE: DIESEL EMISSIONS CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ AUSTRALIA & MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG

Leading Australian Compensation law firm Gerard Malouf and Partners (GMP Law) today filed a Class Action against Mercedes-Benz in the Victorian Supreme Court claiming $100’s of millions for past and present owners of certain diesel vehicles.

• The Class Action relates to the alleged installation of “cheat devices” by Mercedes that manipulates the reading of harmful diesel gas emissions in certain diesel vehicles produced by the German parent company which was then sold in Australia.

• It is estimated that this could have affected a minimum of 10’s of thousands of Mercedes diesel vehicles sold in Australia from 2008 to 2018.

• It is alleged that these “cheat devices” manipulate diesel engine emission levels of harmful gases, including Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), to pass regulatory testing.

• Such harmful gases are associated with accelerating climate change, acid rain, and causing respiratory conditions as well as premature death and irreversible environmental damage.

• Past or present owners of affected Mercedes diesel vehicles, either new or second-hand, manufactured on or after 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2018 may be eligible class members and entitled to significant damages per vehicle which could include a portion of the purchase price.

• GMP Law has entered an information sharing arrangement with leading US class action law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP (HB) in relation to this Class Action against Mercedes. HB had conducted the similar Class Action against Mercedes for Diesel Emissions in the U.S., which settled in September 2020 in the amount of around $1.3 billion.

Chairman of GMP Law, Gerard Malouf, states that: This information sharing arrangement between HB and GMP Law is a great step forward towards achieving just compensation for those consumers in Australia which have been affected by Mercedes’ “cheat devices.” Based upon the findings from the numerous international court proceedings as well as government investigations, we strongly believe Mercedes has been a serious case to answer! We intend to stand up for the rights of all consumers to protect their health, financial interests and the environment. We will run this case at our own cost without any risk to class members and will seek a group cost order without a legal funder to ensure class members receive the absolute maximum in damages from any award or settlement.

The Class Action will seek damages for:
• Compensation for the loss of value of affected vehicles.
• Punitive Damages.

GMP Law anticipates damages in this Class Action to likely be in the $100’s of millions.

Past and present diesel Mercedes vehicle owners can register at: https://www.dieselemissionsclaims.com.au/mercedes-class-action

GMP Law has recently filed a similar Class Action against Hino Motor Sales Australia and Hino Motors Limited.