Suzuki Germany under suspicion of exhaust gas fraud

Suzuki Germany is suspected of having sold diesel vehicles with an illegal defeat device. Investigators searched the business premises in Bensheim in southern Hesse.

According to the Frankfurt public prosecutor’s office, Suzuki Germany is suspected of fraud because it is said to have sold more than 22,000 diesel vehicles with illegal defeat devices for exhaust gas treatment. Investigators searched the business premises of the car importer in Bensheim in southern Hesse on Wednesday.

In addition to Suzuki managers, those responsible for engine supplier Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis) and software supplier Marelli are also under suspicion.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, Swift and Vitara models affected

The offices of the companies involved in Heidelberg, Corbetta (Italy) and Esztergom (Hungary) were also searched for evidence such as communication data, software and planning documents, the public prosecutor said.

According to the investigators, the technical equipment is said to have caused exhaust gas cleaning to be massively reduced or completely switched off in numerous everyday situations. Large amounts of nitrogen oxides were released into the environment. Affected were the diesels of the Suzuki models SX4 S-Cross, Swift and Vitara. The company initially declined to comment on the investigation.