BERLIN (Reuters) - New German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer told Bild newspaper he would do everything in his power to avoid driving bans for diesel cars, was not the friend of automobile bosses and would not force carmakers to retrofit vehicles.
Scheuer was sworn in as minister this week, replacing Alexander Dobrindt, who was often accused of being too closely tied to the country's car industry.
"I don't see myself as a buddy of automobile bosses but rather as the mate of those working on the production lines and as someone who represents the interests of diesel vehicle owners," Scheuer said.
He added that he would have "new, very, very serious talks" with carmakers on the diesel crisis. Asked whether car companies would be forced generally to retrofit diesel cars, he said he expected the companies to cooperate but added: "Forcing is not the way I do politics."