Car Fule

Dieselgate scandal surrounding CO2 emissions data rigged by Volkswagen and other manufacturers, will soon be 6 years old. The case, which erupted in September 2015, has already been taken to court in the United States but also in Germany. The group thus had to pay imposing fines, but elsewhere, and in particular in France, nothing. At least until now because a French plaintiff has just obtained the conviction of Volkswagen during a judgment of the Court of Appeal of Pau.

4.000 €… To start

After 6 years of fighting, this owner will receive compensation of € 4,000, or 15% of the price of its Volkswagen Tiguan TDI 140. A derisory sum for Volkswagen, but which is very symbolic: this is the first time that a French court has recognized the brand’s responsibility in this case. A judgment which could therefore make jurisprudence, and ultimately cost the manufacturer much more: Maître Charles Constantin-Vallet, the lawyer in charge of the case, estimates that approximately 950,000 other vehicles would be affected by this case of fraud in France.

If Volkswagen were forced to pay a similar sum to all owners, then the brand would have to pay 3.8 billion euros in compensation. Of course, this implies that each Volkswagen owner concerned decides to sue the manufacturer, and that each judgment is similar. Unlikely therefore. But the way is open.

Source: AFP

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