Judge Rules VW Group Did Install Illegal Emissions ‘Defeat Devices’

It has been concluded by a High Court Judge that the Volkswagen Group did install illegal emissions defeat devices to its cars to rule in favour of a class action brought by 90,000 aggrieved owners.

Lawyers, who were in action to seek compensation for vehicle owners, aimed to establish that VW behind brands including Audi, Seat and Skoda deliberately misled its customers by installing devices which amounted to a breach of European law.

High Court Judge, Mr. Justice Waksman, said “the software function in issue in this case is indeed a defeat device”.

According to Sky News, the evidence presented by the team at legal firm Slater Gordon claimed the vehicles were emitting up to 40 times the legal limit when on the road.

VW continues to argue that it shouldn’t pay compensation because vehicle owners did not suffer financial losses.

Head of Group litigation at Slater and Gordon, Gareth Pope, said: “In the judge’s own words, VW’s defence was ‘highly flawed’, ‘hopeless’ and ‘absurd’,” asserting that it was now “time for it to settle these claims.”

In a statement, VW said that it was “disappointed” with the outcome and that the judgement “relates only to preliminary issues” and, as such, did not determine liability or any issues of causation or loss.

The statement added: “Volkswagen remains confident in our case that we are not liable to the claimants as alleged and the claimants did not suffer any loss. We will continue to defend our position robustly. Nothing in this decision today changes this. We look forward to making progress with defending the remainder of the case. Volkswagen is considering carefully the grounds on which it may seek to appeal today’s decision.”

For more details, head over to AM Online.