Volvo firm faces manslaughter probe

Dirk Pissens (centre) arrives for Thursday's meeting with Judge Gabriel Steffanus

The French importer for Swedish carmaker Volvo has been placed under formal investigation for manslaughter.

Magistrates suspect the firm of being responsible for the deaths of two children in an accident two years ago.

French judge Gabriel Steffanus called for an inquiry into an accident near Strasbourg two years ago in which two 10-year-olds were killed, and a nine-year-old seriously injured, when they were hit by a Volvo.

The driver of the car, 50-year-old teacher Catherine Kohtz, has blamed the accident on faulty brakes.

But Volvo Cars, a marque renowned for its safety record, has cast doubt on the claims.

Speeding?

After the accident, officials placed Ms Kohtz under investigation and concluded she had been driving too fast.

But she has continued to claim that her brakes were not working.

The company pleaded for access to the crashed car, a Volvo 850 TDi estate, to investigate the allegations further.

"From our analysis of the material to date, we have not been convinced that the alleged defects exist or caused the accident," the firm said.

'Co-operate 300%'

Dirk Pissens, managing director of the marque's French importer, Volvo Automobiles France, pledged to "co-operate 300%" with French justice authorities.

"The most important thing for the families of the victims in this case, for the woman who was driving the car and for all our customers is to know the truth," said Mr Pissens on Thursday after a four-hour meeting with Judge Steffanus.

The judge will also examine whether Volvo sent a confidential note to car dealers in 1997 asking them to repair cars with faulty brakes, rather than recalling the vehicles concerned.