Mercedes has unveiled plans to boost the number of diesel models carrying soot particle filters.

The firm, now a brand operating under the auspices of DaimlerChrysler, says it will roll out the filters to all of its diesel passenger cars beginning immediately, according to Dow Jones.

The filters cut soot particle emission by up to 95 per cent, and mark a proactive move on the part of the manufacturer in light of the stringent European legislation

Models including the A-Class and the S-Class will be among those to get the emission reduction treatment.

The news is also likely to help the image of diesel in the US, with the increasingly green adaptation of the vehicles likely to spark interest among consumers.
A study from automotive manufacturer Ricardo last month showed that sales of light duty diesel vehicles are set to increase from 43,000 units in 2004 to over one million units per year by 2012.

In addition, Ricardo predicts this figure will boom to a huge 1.5 million by 2015.

The move could mean an increase in the demand for platinum and pgms, used in catalysts to improve the emissions standards of modern day diesel cars.