TDI the new PPI?
Dieselgate has cost VW Group $15bn in America but could Brits now be in line for a pay-out?
Harcus Sinclair Ltd is leading the charge in the UK, seeking compensation for owners of 1.2-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDI diesels sold in the UK between 2009-2015. Now, you'll probably have noted that $15bn has been awarded to US Volkswagen owners. That's up to $10,000 per person, reckons the firm. So naturally, Brits are automatically in line for a big cash payout too? Well, no. Volkswagen has admitted the software bypassed tough US emissions regulations. It has not admitted Euro 5 legislation was similarly tricked. The firm thus intends to "defend such claims robustly". It's up to the lawyers to prove the software was a functioning defeat device over here too, and helped cars get Euro 5 certification they shouldn't otherwise have received.
Volkswagen suggests they may struggle because, for most of the affected models, making the changes necessary to purge the defeat device from the software does not affect MPG, CO2 or engine performance. What's more, experts reckon retained values are unaffected, and it's thus unlikely any UK customers will have suffered any financial loss for which compensation is due.
But that's not quite the line the lawyers are focusing on. They're arguing, simply, that "Volkswagen engaged in deceit" because defeat device software was needed to meet Euro 5 levels of NOx emissions. If they are able to prove that, when selling the cars, the cars don't meet regulatory standards, then owners (plus former owners - and there are 1.2m UK VWs, Audis, Seats and Skodas affected) are due compensation (of which the lawyers will take a 30 per cent cut).
There's a long way to go. First, the High Court must give the go-ahead for a pre-trial hearing of this so-called 'group litigation order' (similar to a US class action lawsuit). Then, there would be a full trial, which could be a good two years away. But 10,000 people have already signed up, and Harcus Sinclair is today publically encouraging many more to do the same. If successful, it could cost VW another few billion pounds.
"Don't do it for the money," said Harcus Sinclair's Damon Parker on Radio 4's Today (to which Humphrys could barely conceal a snort), and "don't get your hopes up". But the firm insists that owners of affected vehicles may have overpaid, and may thus be entitled to compensation. So, if you own (or have owned) an affected VW Group car, will you be joining?
There have been reports of impaired driveability and fuel consumption on some vehicles that have received a software fix, so some owners are understandably holding off. IMHO VAG should be forced to make *all* of their vehicles fully emissions compliant. If fuel economy, performance and maintenance costs are adversely affected then owners should be compensated.
Simply put, if you were affected then you should do it (either with the claiming company or, if a class action is successful, there may be other ways in the future). This type of action is how we, as the consumers buying their products can hold them to account and for breaking the trust given to them.
Changing loyalties is another way but then again some people may not want to, I mean how many people changes their banks after making a PPi claim, I didn't. If is is proven that a claim may exist then people affected will be entitled, and I stress entitled, to receive recompense. If there is entitlement then why would someone not seek what they are entitled to. Manufacturers won't do it again!!
Simply put, if you were affected then you should do it (either with the claiming company or, if a class action is successful, there may be other ways in the future). This type of action is how we, as the consumers buying their products can hold them to account and for breaking the trust given to them.
Changing loyalties is another way but then again some people may not want to, I mean how many people changes their banks after making a PPi claim, I didn't. If is is proven that a claim may exist then people affected will be entitled, and I stress entitled, to receive recompense. If there is entitlement then why would someone not seek what they are entitled to. Manufacturers won't do it again!!
Simply put, if you were affected then you should do it (either with the claiming company or, if a class action is successful, there may be other ways in the future). This type of action is how we, as the consumers buying their products can hold them to account and for breaking the trust given to them.
Changing loyalties is another way but then again some people may not want to, I mean how many people changes their banks after making a PPi claim, I didn't. If is is proven that a claim may exist then people affected will be entitled, and I stress entitled, to receive recompense. If there is entitlement then why would someone not seek what they are entitled to. Manufacturers won't do it again!!
Simply put, if you were affected then you should do it (either with the claiming company or, if a class action is successful, there may be other ways in the future). This type of action is how we, as the consumers buying their products can hold them to account and for breaking the trust given to them.
Changing loyalties is another way but then again some people may not want to, I mean how many people changes their banks after making a PPi claim, I didn't. If is is proven that a claim may exist then people affected will be entitled, and I stress entitled, to receive recompense. If there is entitlement then why would someone not seek what they are entitled to. Manufacturers won't do it again!!
Considering the unfair competitive advantage they must have gained I'm surprised no other car manufacturers have waded in. But that probably suggests they have their own skeletons!
This is how we hold manufacturers to account when they lie about the products they sell us.
Those with the "you've not lost anything, so who cares?" attitude would doubtless think differently if it turned out that a manufacturer had been fibbing about their BHP numbers.
I also think the owners who have been left out of pocket deserve some sort of compensation, if only for the damage this will have done to the value of their vehicle through no fault of their own. $10k might be a bit steep, though.
in this world you commit fraud you get punished if, people lose there job that is because vag are corrupt, no one else to blame.
if people had more integrity and stood up for what is wrong it may never have got this far..
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/23/d...
97% of diesel cars emit more NOx than official limit. It's all a joke.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff