The article below appeared in today's Mail on
Sunday. I hope they sort something out soon or there will be some very disappointed
people out there.</span></span>
New Mercedes face ban from British roads for
flouting EU rules on 'green' air-con: Germans say compulsory coolant causes
cars to catch fire and explode on impact</span>
Car maker embroiled
in an extraordinary row with EU bureaucrats</span></span>
It is over decision to force manufacturers to use 'green' air-con gas</span></span>
ByRUSSELL MYERS</span></span>
PUBLISHED:</span>22:27, 23 March 2013</span>|</span>UPDATED:</span>12:04, 24 March
2013</span></span>
</span>
Thousands of new Mercedes are set to be banned from sale in Britain
after they were declared 'illegal' by the EU.</span></span>
TheGerman luxury car maker is embroiled in an extraordinary row
with EU bureaucratsover a decision to force all car manufacturers to use
a new 'green' air-conditioning gas.</span></span>
Mercedes has raised fears that the new coolant causes cars to catch
fire.</span></span>
But any car maker refusing to install the gas faces a ban on selling
cars across the Continent, the European Commission warned this week.</span></span>
The DVLA and the Vehicle Certification Agency in the UK are poised to
suspend any new registration of the luxury German cars if they do not conform
to the regulations.</span></span>
All new Mercedes A-Class hatchbacks, B-Class family cars and SL roadster
models will be affected because the manufacturer has failed to agree to the
law, which came into effect on January 1.</span></span>
Most manufacturers have already complied with the directive. But last
September Mercedes appealed to delay the implementation of the law.</span></span>
Internal tests by the company allegedly showed that ten out of 14 cars
using the new coolant caught fire when subjected to conditions that simulated
the coolant leaking into the engine in a front-end collision.</span></span>
But the Commission last week rejected the claims and warned it is not
possible for new cars to be sold within the EU if they do not conform to the
legislation.</span></span>
Implementing the directive could result in thousands of new cars being left
on dealers' forecourts, unable to be registered by the DVLA.</span></span>
In an update last week, the European Commission said 'controversial'
testing techniques by Mercedes were to blame for the findings and the
Department for Transport in the UK would be fined if it allowed the company to
sell the affected models.</span></span>
It stated: 'It is not possible for motor vehicles to be registered and
marketed in the EU if they are not in conformity with the relevant
legislation.'</span></span>
The Department for Transport said it was monitoring the situation
closely, but it could cost Mercedes almost £500""‰million in lost sales in the UK
and more across Europe.</span></span>
Mercedes predicts sales of about 15,000 A-Class cars this year, which
cost from £18,970. About 6,500 £21,000 B-Class models and an estimated 800 of
the £72,550 SL models are also expected to be bought by Britons ""“ but all could
remain unsold if the DVLA refuses to register them for the UK market.</span></span>
Older models will be unaffected but from 2017 every vehicle released
into the European car market must be installed with the new coolant.</span></span>
Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, claims its tests show the new
air-con chemical is 'highly flammable', poisonous and poses a danger to
occupants and rescue services.</span></span>
The European Commission is now involved in 11th hour talks with
Mercedes. Volkswagen, which owns the Audi, Porsche and Skoda brands, has also
refused to install the new coolant.</span></span>
However, the fellow German manufacturer has insisted its engineers have
designed a new coolant using carbon dioxide which adheres to the European
environmental guidelines and is in advanced talks to use the new variant.</span></span>
Mercedes claims it has instructed its engineers to design a similar
chemical but the Commission denies knowledge of the plans. Critics have accused
Mercedes of putting costs ahead of global climate concerns because the
new coolant is more expensive.</span></span>
Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies, who helped to draft the new law, said: 'This
amounts to a declaration of war on Daimler. It is widely believed Daimler is
trying to avoid paying extra costs of about £20 per vehicle.</span></span>
'The Commission's briefing makes clear that new models using the old
refrigerant should not be sold.'</span></span>
Mercedes was last month confirmed as the leading premium brand in the
UK. It registered 3,329 new cars in February ""“ up 13.5 per cent on last year.</span></span>
Professor Thomas Weber, from Daimler, claimed the company was in
the process of producing a new coolant using carbon dioxide which would be
approved by the European Commission.</span></span>
He said: 'Daimler has examined all possible options very closely over
recent months and worked with the other manufacturers within the VDA (German
Association of the Automotive Industry) to find a solution that is acceptable
to all.</span></span>
'These efforts have shown clearly that CO2, is by far the most promising
solution, as it is environmentally acceptable and safe. We have given our
engineers the clear commission to develop the CO2 air-conditioning system.'</span></span>
A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'The safety of all road users
is paramount. However, we have seen no evidence that the air-conditioning fluid
in this case poses any risk in appropriately designed vehicles. We continue to
monitor this issue and the European Commission is leading a review to ensure a
consistent approach for all vehicle manufacturers and purchasers.'</span></span>
The European Commission said it would not take action against anyone who
has bought one of the affected Mercedes models since January 1. But a spokesman
said it would continue to appeal to countries to enforce the legislation and
ban future registration of all new vehicles that do not contain the new coolant
gas.</span></span>
</span>
Read more:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2298132/New-Mercedes-face-ban-British-roads-flouting-EU-rules-green-air-con.html#ixzz2OU6wC267</span></span>
Sunday. I hope they sort something out soon or there will be some very disappointed
people out there.</span></span>
New Mercedes face ban from British roads for
flouting EU rules on 'green' air-con: Germans say compulsory coolant causes
cars to catch fire and explode on impact</span>
Car maker embroiled
in an extraordinary row with EU bureaucrats</span></span>
It is over decision to force manufacturers to use 'green' air-con gas</span></span>
ByRUSSELL MYERS</span></span>
PUBLISHED:</span>22:27, 23 March 2013</span>|</span>UPDATED:</span>12:04, 24 March
2013</span></span>
</span>
Thousands of new Mercedes are set to be banned from sale in Britain
after they were declared 'illegal' by the EU.</span></span>
TheGerman luxury car maker is embroiled in an extraordinary row
with EU bureaucratsover a decision to force all car manufacturers to use
a new 'green' air-conditioning gas.</span></span>
Mercedes has raised fears that the new coolant causes cars to catch
fire.</span></span>
But any car maker refusing to install the gas faces a ban on selling
cars across the Continent, the European Commission warned this week.</span></span>
The DVLA and the Vehicle Certification Agency in the UK are poised to
suspend any new registration of the luxury German cars if they do not conform
to the regulations.</span></span>
All new Mercedes A-Class hatchbacks, B-Class family cars and SL roadster
models will be affected because the manufacturer has failed to agree to the
law, which came into effect on January 1.</span></span>
Most manufacturers have already complied with the directive. But last
September Mercedes appealed to delay the implementation of the law.</span></span>
Internal tests by the company allegedly showed that ten out of 14 cars
using the new coolant caught fire when subjected to conditions that simulated
the coolant leaking into the engine in a front-end collision.</span></span>
But the Commission last week rejected the claims and warned it is not
possible for new cars to be sold within the EU if they do not conform to the
legislation.</span></span>
Implementing the directive could result in thousands of new cars being left
on dealers' forecourts, unable to be registered by the DVLA.</span></span>
In an update last week, the European Commission said 'controversial'
testing techniques by Mercedes were to blame for the findings and the
Department for Transport in the UK would be fined if it allowed the company to
sell the affected models.</span></span>
It stated: 'It is not possible for motor vehicles to be registered and
marketed in the EU if they are not in conformity with the relevant
legislation.'</span></span>
The Department for Transport said it was monitoring the situation
closely, but it could cost Mercedes almost £500""‰million in lost sales in the UK
and more across Europe.</span></span>
Mercedes predicts sales of about 15,000 A-Class cars this year, which
cost from £18,970. About 6,500 £21,000 B-Class models and an estimated 800 of
the £72,550 SL models are also expected to be bought by Britons ""“ but all could
remain unsold if the DVLA refuses to register them for the UK market.</span></span>
Older models will be unaffected but from 2017 every vehicle released
into the European car market must be installed with the new coolant.</span></span>
Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, claims its tests show the new
air-con chemical is 'highly flammable', poisonous and poses a danger to
occupants and rescue services.</span></span>
The European Commission is now involved in 11th hour talks with
Mercedes. Volkswagen, which owns the Audi, Porsche and Skoda brands, has also
refused to install the new coolant.</span></span>
However, the fellow German manufacturer has insisted its engineers have
designed a new coolant using carbon dioxide which adheres to the European
environmental guidelines and is in advanced talks to use the new variant.</span></span>
Mercedes claims it has instructed its engineers to design a similar
chemical but the Commission denies knowledge of the plans. Critics have accused
Mercedes of putting costs ahead of global climate concerns because the
new coolant is more expensive.</span></span>
Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies, who helped to draft the new law, said: 'This
amounts to a declaration of war on Daimler. It is widely believed Daimler is
trying to avoid paying extra costs of about £20 per vehicle.</span></span>
'The Commission's briefing makes clear that new models using the old
refrigerant should not be sold.'</span></span>
Mercedes was last month confirmed as the leading premium brand in the
UK. It registered 3,329 new cars in February ""“ up 13.5 per cent on last year.</span></span>
Professor Thomas Weber, from Daimler, claimed the company was in
the process of producing a new coolant using carbon dioxide which would be
approved by the European Commission.</span></span>
He said: 'Daimler has examined all possible options very closely over
recent months and worked with the other manufacturers within the VDA (German
Association of the Automotive Industry) to find a solution that is acceptable
to all.</span></span>
'These efforts have shown clearly that CO2, is by far the most promising
solution, as it is environmentally acceptable and safe. We have given our
engineers the clear commission to develop the CO2 air-conditioning system.'</span></span>
A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'The safety of all road users
is paramount. However, we have seen no evidence that the air-conditioning fluid
in this case poses any risk in appropriately designed vehicles. We continue to
monitor this issue and the European Commission is leading a review to ensure a
consistent approach for all vehicle manufacturers and purchasers.'</span></span>
The European Commission said it would not take action against anyone who
has bought one of the affected Mercedes models since January 1. But a spokesman
said it would continue to appeal to countries to enforce the legislation and
ban future registration of all new vehicles that do not contain the new coolant
gas.</span></span>
</span>
Read more:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2298132/New-Mercedes-face-ban-British-roads-flouting-EU-rules-green-air-con.html#ixzz2OU6wC267</span></span>
