France bans Mercedes as German car row escalates

French authorities have blocked registration of Mercedes A-Class, B-Class and SL cars that were assembled after 12 June.

French authorities have taken the decision to refuse registration of Mercedes vehicles made by German car company Daimler because the cars are using an air conditioning coolant that has been banned in the European Union since January.

French authorities have blocked registration of Mercedes A-Class, B-Class and SL cars that were assembled after 12 June, even though the cars have been approved in Germany.

The ban on climate-harming R134a gas was supposed to take effect in January 2011, but the European Commission granted a derogation after car companies complained there was not enough supply of the climate-friendly alternative HFO-1234yf. Ahead of the approaching deadline, in September 2012, Daimler began complaining that the new refrigerant was catching fire in tests. But no other carmaker concluded this, and the Commission refused a request from the German government to delay the deadline again. But Daimler still refuses to comply.

“The use of R134a gas is now banned in new automobile models and the producers who continue to use it are in infringement of the law.” Antonio Tajani, the European Commissioner for industry, told MEPs in March.

American companies Honeywell and DuPont, which make the new refrigerant, say it is safe and the problem is a flaw in the design of the Daimler vehicles. “Under the hood of an automobile are many flammable materials, including gasoline or diesel, lubricating oils and brake and transmission fluids,” Honeywell said Wednesday (10 July) in a statement.

According to government sources, Germany is pushing the Commission to take action against France for violating free market rules. The German Ministry of Transportation is lobbying internal market commissioner Michel Barnier, himself French, saying that France’s decision violates the principle of free movement of goods.

The issue is set for a showdown on Wednesday (17 July) at a meeting between the Commission and member states.

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