Volkswagen Nears $4.3B Settlement with US Over Emissions Scandal

Volkswagen has reportedly agreed to pay $4.3 billion as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The proposed Volkswagen settlement is connected with criminal investigations and criminal fines related to the emissions scandal.

The emissions scandal settlement will reportedly involve Volkswagen pleading guilty to criminal charges.

The announcement of this VW emissions scandal settlement comes shortly after the arrest of Volkswagen emissions executive Oliver Schmidt.

Schmidt allegedly conspired with other Volkswagen employees to defraud the U.S. government by installing devices designed to cheat emissions tests.

In September 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discovered that Volkswagen installed defeat devices in some of its automobiles to decrease their air pollution while they were undergoing an emissions test.

These defeat devices ensured that the vehicles would meet U.S. emissions standards and pass the emissions tests. Under normal driving conditions, however, the vehicles reportedly emitted far more pollutants than advertised. In some cases, the emissions were 40 times higher than allowed under federal emissions standards.

Many consumers purchased Volkswagen vehicles because they believed they were more environmentally friendly and emitted fewer pollutants than other vehicles. After the VW emissions scandal was discovered, it was determined that many Volkswagen and Audi vehicles failed to meet the required emissions standards.

After news about the VW emissions scandal broke, Volkswagen was hit with many class action lawsuits filed by angry car owners and lessees. These VW emissions scandal class action lawsuits were consolidated into multidistrict litigation, known as In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation.

VW has also faced emissions scandal lawsuits filed by the federal government over violations of the Clean Air Act. The beleaguered auto company has admitted fault in connection with the emissions scandal and acknowledged that the defeat devices were pre-loaded in millions of its diesel vehicles sold around the world.

Nearly 600,000 vehicles sold in the United States were reportedly affected by the VW emissions scandal.

Volkswagen has reportedly agreed to pay more than $15 billion on matters related to the emissions scandal, including offering to buy back or repair vehicles that are affected.

This deal is part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The motor company also agreed to set aside money for environmental mitigation and support efforts to develop zero-emissions technology.

If you have owned or leased a 2013-2015 VW Beetle or Beetle Convertible, 2010-2015 VW Golf, 2015 VW Golf SportWagen, 2009-2015 VW Jetta, 2009-2014 VW Jetta SportWagen, 2012-2015 VW Passat, or a 2010-2013 or 2015 Audi A3, you may be eligible for benefits from the VW emissions scandal settlement. More information about the settlement is available at www.VWCourtSettlement.com.

The VW Emissions Scandal MDL is In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 3:15-cv-02672, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.