On Wednesday, Volkswagen (VW) again apologized to customers in England and Wales, pledging to restore trust.
“The settlement is another significant step forward as the Volkswagen Group continues to move on from the deeply regrettable events leading up to September 2015,” VW Chief Legal Officer Philipp Hermann said in a statement.
But the firm, which is also contributing legal costs and other fees for the plaintiffs, made no acknowledgment of liability, cause or damages, saying the costs of trial and appeal in London made it prudent to seek a regulation gave.
Volkswagen said around 11 million cars worldwide – and 1.2 million in the UK – are equipped with software that dodges diesel emissions tests designed to limit nitrogen oxide fumes (NOx) from cars.
The so-called “Dieselgate” scandal caused the largest commercial crisis in the company’s history, costing the German company more than 32 billion euros ($34 billion) in vehicle repairs, fines and religiosity costs.
Law firms representing drivers in England and Wales, led by Slater and Gordon as well as Leigh Day, allege that VW tricked people into buying cars that violate emissions regulations by installing so-called “invalid” equipment. tricked.
“This agreement avoids the need for a lengthy, complicated and expensive trial…” said David Whitmore, CEO of Slater & Gordon, whose group was funded by litigation fund Therium.
Therium began funding the trial in September 2016.
($1 = 0.7984 pounds)
($1 = 0.9369 Euro)