Potential compensation for damages in Europe by Volkswagen over its false emission tests

The European Commissioner for justice and consumer protection told media sources in September 2016 that she believed Volkswagen could be hit with fines and compensation claims in several member states of the European Union should these countries decide that it broke consumer protection and honest trading rules.

The German automaker already faced similar claims in the United States for widespread emissions cheating. The Commissioner stated that the company had wronged European consumers when it rigged its diesel engines to emit more toxic gases than allowed and then lied about it in the advertising.

Media reported in January 2017 that VW faced its first European lawsuit in Germany.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: VW software scandal: Chief apologises for breaking public trust http://www.europeansources.info/record/vw-software-scandal-chief-apologises-for-breaking-public-trust/

ESO: Background information: Lawsuits triggered by the Volkswagen emissions case http://www.europeansources.info/record/industry-commissioner-tells-vw-to-compensate-european-drivers/

EurActiv, 08.09.16: VW says ‘no room or need for compensation’ in emissions scandal http://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/vw-says-no-room-or-need-for-compensation-in-emissions-scandal/

EUObserver, 08.09.16: EU urges consumer groups to go after VW https://euobserver.com/economic/134986

The Wall Street Journal, 05.09.16: Volkswagen Faces Brussels Push for Penalties in 20 EU Countries http://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-faces-brussels-push-for-penalties-in-20-eu-countries-1473069445

The Local.de, 05.09.16: EU urges Volkswagen crackdown after 'dieselgate' http://www.thelocal.de/20160905/eu-urges-volkswagen-crackdown-after-dieselgate

EUObserver, 06.09.16: VW 'seems' to have broken EU laws https://euobserver.com/economic/134928

Spiegel Online International, 26.10.16: The Way Forward after Dieselgate 'We Will Do Everything to Bring VW Back' http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/vw-and-dieselgate-wolfgang-porsche-and-hans-michel-piech-a-1117984.html

Deutsche Welle, 25.10.16: US judge approves VW Dieselgate settlement http://dw.com/p/2Rgw3

EurActiv, 04.11.16: VW says ‘defeat device’ in conformity with European law http://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/vw-says-defeat-device-in-conformity-with-european-law/

EurActiv, 04.01.17: VW faces first legal test case over emissions in Germany http://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/vw-faces-first-legal-test-case-over-emissions-in-germany/

Politico, 04.01.17: VW faces German test court case http://www.politico.eu/article/vw-faces-german-test-court-case/

EUObserver, 07.02.17: Luxembourg sues 'unknown' VW staff on emissions fraud https://euobserver.com/environment/136818

Politico, 06.02.17: Volkswagen rejects Commission compensation request http://www.politico.eu/article/volkswagen-rejects-commission-compensation-request/

EUObserver, 21.02.17: Dieselgate: EU disappointed with VW's treatment of customers https://euobserver.com/economic/136983

EurActiv, 08.03.17: EU consumer agencies to join forces to press VW over dieselgate scandal http://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/eu-consumer-agencies-to-join-forces-to-press-vw-over-dieselgate-scandal/

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