The French Supreme Court authorises Daimler to resume sales of its models in France

Amid the environmental dispute with the French government over the use of harmful gases in some of its models, Mercedes-Benz has secured an important victory by obtaining the backing of the French Supreme Court, which has also ruled in the brand’s favour.

The ruling orders that Daimler AG be permitted to resume registering vehicles in France, specifically the A-Class and B-Class and the CLA. As you will recall, the French government had banned their sale and registration because they did not use the air-conditioning gas recommended by the European Union, R1234yf gas. Daimler is trying to demonstrate that this gas is harmful to health and that it is also flammable in the event of an accident.

The Supreme Court’s ruling states that it has been unable to find any environmental threat whatsoever, on the basis of which the French government had ordered the ban on selling these three models of Mercedes in France. It also stated that the ban on selling its models in the country is unjustifiable.

A Daimler spokesperson said the company expected the French government to resume registrations within 48 hours. France was the only European country to issue an order of this kind against a brand that does not yet use the gas recommended by the European Union.

The R1234yf regulation allows its use until 2016 for models that succeed existing models, but Mercedes has insisted that R1234yf is highly dangerous and has not used it in any of its most recent models.

Via | Automotive News