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France Blocks Mercedes Cars that Use Banned Refrigerant
The French government is refusing to register some of Daimler AG's passenger cars because their air-conditioning systems use R134a, a refrigerant banned by the European Union since January.
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The French government is refusing to register some of Daimler AG's passenger cars because their air-conditioning systems use R134a, a refrigerant banned by the European Union since January.
The block covers Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class, CLA and SL models, which account for about 55% of the brand's sales volume in France.
New passenger vehicles sold in the EU are required to use the new "green" refrigerant 1234yf, which has a global warming potential rating of 4. That compares with a rating of 1,430 for R134a.
Daimler said last autumn that its tests showed the fluid could ignite in a crash and create poisonous fumes. Despite a multitude of other tests showing that 1234yf is safe, the company has asked the EU to delay implementing the regulation.
The European Commission has warned Daimler to comply with the regulation or face penalties. The EC says it will impose daily fines on Germany or any other member nation that doesn't enforce the directive.
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