With VW shot full of holes and sinking fast over the diesel emissions "cheating" scandal, the heavy artillery has been retrained, azimuth and altitude calculated, the breech closed. The nextsalvo's ready to fire.

At the three-pointed star.

At its line of BlueTec diesel engines.

Which are alleged to be "cheating" Uncle's emissions tests, the same accusation that's rocked VW and which may, ultimately, end VW (via potential liabilities/fines in excess of $50 billion)?

Automotive News reported the other day that "independent" testing discovered "evidence of a defeat device" that causes Mercedes' diesel engines to emit larger-than-allowable levels (but not quantities; this is a critical point which I'll get into shortly) of nitrogen oxides at low temperatures.

Uncle has "requested information" from DaimlerBenz. It is never good news when Uncle "requests information."

Mercedes – for the present – denies having "cheated" Uncle. Which is like denying you successfully outmaneuvered street mugger.