EU To Sue Germany Over Daimler's Refusal To Use New Flammable Refrigerant

The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against Germany over Daimler's refusal to remove a banned refrigerant from new Mercedes-Benz cars.

The EU executive's decision follows months of investigation by the Commission into the carmaker's refusal, backed by Berlin, to apply an EU law banning an air-conditioning refrigerant known as R134a.

"We are opening a procedure against Germany. This is not a final decision by the Commission," EU industry commissioner Antonio Tajan said.