Latest news with #dieselgate
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Four former Volkswagen managers convicted of fraud in ‘dieselgate' trial
A German court has convicted four former Volkswagen managers of fraud and given two of them prison sentences for their part in the 'dieselgate' emissions test-cheating scandal which erupted almost a decade ago. The former head of development Heinz-Jakob Neusser received a suspended jail term of one year and three months from the court in the city of Braunschweig, according to the news agency Bloomberg. A former head of drive electronics, named only as Hanno J, was given a sentence of two years and seven months, German media reported. The heaviest sentence, of four years and six months, was given to the former head of diesel motor development Jens H, while the fourth defendant was given a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months. The defendants can appeal against the rulings. The scandal began in September 2015 when the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of violation saying Volkswagen had rigged engine control software that enabled diesel cars to pass emissions tests while emitting far more pollution in actual driving. The company has paid more than $33bn (£24bn) in fines and compensation to vehicle owners. Two VW managers received prison sentences in the US. The former head of the company's Audi division Rupert Stadler was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and a fine of €1.1m (£0.92m); his sentence is still subject to appeal. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion The four found guilty on Monday, who have been on trial since 2021, were initially to have their cases heard alongside that of the former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn. Proceedings against him have been suspended because of his health issues, and it is not clear when he might go on trial. Winterkorn has denied wrongdoing. Further proceedings are open against 31 other suspects in Germany. Volkswagen said in a statement that the 'proceedings in the court in Braunschweig are against individuals' and had 'no significant consequences for the cases before the civil courts that Volkswagen is involved in' related to the scandal. Agence France-Presse and Associated Press contributed to this report
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Four ex-Volkswagen managers found guilty over ‘dieselgate'
Volkswagen said that the proceedings in the Braunschweig court are against individuals. (EPA Images pic) BERLIN : A German court today convicted and handed prison sentences, some suspended, to four former Volkswagen (VW) managers over their part in the 'dieselgate' emissions-cheating scandal, Bloomberg reported. The scandal has caused waves in the global car industry since September 2015, when Volkswagen admitted tampering with millions of diesel vehicles to dupe pollution tests. Former VW executive Heinz-Jakob Neusser received a suspended jail term of one year and three months from the court in the city of Braunschweig, according to news agency Bloomberg. The former head of drive electronics, named only as Hanno J, was given a sentence of two years and seven months, German media reported. The heaviest sentence of four years and six months was given to the former head of diesel motor development, Jens Hwhile the fourth defendant was given a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months. The defendants can appeal against the rulings. The separate trial of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn remains suspended because of his ill health. Auto sector analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, head of the Center Automotive Research, judged that the case had for now ended 'with scapegoats and, in some cases, suspended sentences'. Volkswagen said in a statement that the 'proceedings in the court in Braunschweig are against individuals' and that they had 'no significant consequences for the cases before the civil courts that Volkswagen is involved in' related to the scandal. The four found guilty today, who have been on trial since 2021, were initially set to have their cases heard alongside that of Winterkorn. However, the court decided to split off proceedings against Winterkorn, who was unable to appear because of ill health. The former auto executive finally went on trial in September before the court again suspended proceedings in October, when he was not fit to take the stand. The highest-ranking former executive to have been convicted in the scandal so far is former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler. He was was fined and given a suspended sentence in 2023 after admitting to fraud by negligence. In February, prosecutors in France called for Volkswagen to face charges of aggravated fraud there too. They said nearly one million French customers had to pay for servicing and repairs after the emissions breach was revealed.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Judges rule ‘dieselgate' group action can proceed in Scotland
Judges have ruled that a group action against car manufacturers in the so-called 'dieselgate' case can proceed in Scotland's highest civil court. The case concerns legal action over allegations that Nissan and Renault fitted prohibited 'defeat devices' to diesel vehicles to get round emissions tests. Joseph Mackay applied for permission to bring group proceedings on behalf of about 8,500 people who claim to have suffered loss as a result of the manufacturers' alleged behaviour. The Lord Ordinary sitting in the Outer House of the Court of Session in Edinburgh previously granted permission for the group action to go ahead. However, the various Nissan companies, described as the defenders, appealed to the Inner House of the Court of Session to challenge that decision. The Lord President Lord Pentland, sitting with Lady Wise and Lord Clark, has now refused the appeal, allowing the group action to proceed. In order to begin group proceedings in Scotland, two initial applications must be made to the court, one to appoint a representative party and other for permission to bring the proposed group proceedings. Nissan contended that Mr Mackay failed to demonstrate that he was an appropriate person to be appointed as the representative party. They also argued that it was not shown that it would be more efficient for the claims to be brought as a group action rather than individually, nor that the proceedings had any real prospect of success. In an opinion delivered by Lord Pentland on Tuesday, the judges said the Lord Ordinary was 'fully entitled' to conclude that the applicant was a 'suitable person to be authorised to act as the representative party in the proposed group proceedings'. He wrote: 'In summary, the applicant had no interest in the proceedings other than his own claim; he was wholly independent of the defenders; there was nothing to suggest that he would act otherwise than fairly and adequately in the group's interests.' The ruling notes that the Lord Ordinary's decision to authorise the bringing of group proceedings was a discretionary decision and that there is 'no justification' for the Inner House to interfere with it. It also states that the Lord Ordinary was justified in concluding that there were 'real prospects of success' and that it would be more efficient for the claims to be brought collectively rather than individually. Renault did not contest the Lord Ordinary's original decision.
