BERLIN - Daimler AG became the latest carmaker that was on Thursday night formally accused by German authorities of emissions-cheating practices in the ongoing diesel emissions scandal.

The Federal Motor Transport Authority (BKA) confirmed that it had discovered illicit defeat devices in the exhaust systems of the Mercedes-Benz van model "Vito". The function served to understate the levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions produced by the affected vehicles of the latest 1.6-liter "Euro6" diesel motor type.

"Due to the installation of defeat devices, the actual operation of the vehicles can result in higher than anticipated NOx emissions", a BKA statement read.

As a consequence, the Daimler was ordered to recall 4,900 cars across the world and 1,370 thereof in Germany.

Daimler denied the allegations of purposeful emissions-cheating practices and said it would appeal the decision. Nevertheless, the Stuttgart-based carmaker emphasized that it would continue to cooperate fully with German transport authorities.

"The functions are part of a complex exhaust cleaning system which is intended to ensure robust exhaust cleaning in different driving conditions and throughout the life-cycle of a vehicle," the company said.

Daimler emphasized that the software in question was of no relevance to regular emissions testing procedures.

German and US judicial authorities have been investigating a potential involvement of Daimler in the diesel emissions scandal for a while. Unlike in the case of local rival Volkswagen, however, the company has so far never been accused by the BKA of purposeful emissions-cheating.

Responding to the news, German transport minister Andreas Scheuer told the magazine "SPIEGEL" that he had scheduled a meeting with Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at his government department as soon as on Monday to discuss the allegations in detail.

"I expect Mercedes to create clarity for its customers," Scheuer said.

Zetsche has repeatedly sought to differentiate Daimler from other carmakers in the diesel emissions scandal, highlighting recently that "no manipulations of vehicles whatsoever" had occurred at his firm.

Daimler previously agreed a voluntary recall of around 3 million diesel vehicles with the KBA in order to lower their NOx emissions with software updates.