BLOOMBERG Mercedes-Benz Group AG suffered a setback in a dispute at the European Union’s top court over its duty to compensate owners of cars equipped with illegal computer technology that overrides anti-pollution systems in order to protect components at low temperatures. In a suit referred from a court in Germany, the owner of a Mercedes car equipped with a so-called …

BLOOMBERG Starbucks Corp said Laxman Narasimhan has assumed the role of chief executive officer, two weeks earlier than planned. Narasimhan, 55, has also joined the company’s board of directors, Starbucks said in a statement. He began working at the coffee giant in October and has spent the last few months getting to know the operations at more than 30 stores, …

BLOOMBERG Auto sales in Europe increased for a seventh straight month, aided by strong growth in the UK and Spain and improving supply chains. Registrations jumped 12% in February to 902,775 vehicles, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said. Sales of battery-electric vehicles surged 34%, expanding more than any other type of powertrain. Shortages of semiconductors and other components are becoming …