Mercedes-Benz to introduce UK diesel scrappage team
£2,000 rebate offered with the purchase of a new car from German manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz has announced a diesel scrappage scheme for customers of a new car in the UK.
The German manufacturer is offering a £2,000 discount for those who trade in any diesel car towards a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle, and £1,000 towards a Smart Electric Drive car.
Customers will receive the bonus regardless of the brand of car being traded in, but it must be EU1- to EU4-compliant – diesel cars built before 2005 – while the current owner has to have had the car for at least six months.
The discount will apply to Mercedes vehicles complying with EU6 diesel regulations, as well as any plug-in hybrid or Smart Electric Drive vehicle.
Any cars traded in that comply with EU3 regulations or earlier will be scrapped.
This news follows an announcement in July that diesel Mercedes cars complying with EU5 and EU6 across Europe would receive a free electronic fix to meet emissions regulations — which will cost the manufacturer £195 million pounds.
Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management at Daimler and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said in July: “The public debate about diesel engines is creating uncertainty – especially for our customers.
“We have therefore decided on additional measures to reassure drivers of diesel cars and to strengthen confidence in diesel technology.
“We are convinced that diesel engines will continue to be a fixed element of the drive-system mix, not least due to their low CO2 emissions.”
BMW Group also recently announced a similar scheme — allowing customers to save £2,000 on any new car produced by their BMW or Mini brands.
