Carmakers Hit with Major UK Dieselgate Lawsuit

The Dieselgate Scandal Enters a New Phase

Five major car manufacturers are set to face off in London\’s High Court on Monday, marking a significant development in the ongoing dieselgate emissions scandal. This trial involves Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot-Citroen, Renault, and Nissan, all of whom are accused of installing systems in their diesel vehicles that allegedly violated clean air laws.

The court will assess whether these systems were designed to manipulate emissions tests, thereby misleading consumers and regulatory bodies. Each of the five lead defendants has denied the allegations, maintaining that their actions were in compliance with legal standards.

This high-profile trial is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the automotive industry. Martyn Day, a lawyer representing the claimants at Leigh Day, highlighted that the outcome could pave the way for \”billions of pounds\” in compensation for affected consumers.

A Decade-Long Scandal

The dieselgate scandal first came to light in September 2015 when German automaker Volkswagen was found to have used so-called defeat devices in its vehicles. These devices were designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions during testing, allowing the cars to pass pollution tests while emitting higher levels of pollutants under normal driving conditions.

The revelation triggered a global outcry, leading to legal actions against several other top carmakers. Over the years, the scandal has exposed widespread issues within the automotive industry, raising questions about transparency and ethical practices.

The current trial, which is expected to last three months, follows complaints from 1.8 million UK drivers against the five lead defendants and other manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Vauxhall-Opel, and BMW. Martyn Day emphasized that this case is not limited to Volkswagen but affects nearly all manufacturers in the UK.

Legal Implications and Consumer Impact

Although not all carmakers are directly involved in the trial, they may still be required to pay compensation depending on the judge\’s ruling. For consumers like Adam Kamenetzky, who purchased a Mercedes SUV in 2018 believing it to be an environmentally friendly option, the implications are personal and profound.

Kamenetzky told AFP that he paid a premium for what he thought was a green SUV, only to discover that it was \”an absolute lie.\” However, any potential compensation for claimants like him will take time to materialize. The trial must first determine the liability of the carmakers before a separate compensation phase can begin next year.

Manufacturer Responses

German automaker Mercedes has stated that its emissions control software was based on technical needs and not an attempt to cheat regulatory tests. According to a spokesperson, these mechanisms were \”justifiable from a technical and legal standpoint.\”

Mercedes and US carmaker Ford both rejected the claims as having \”no merit,\” while Japan\’s Nissan declined to comment. French manufacturers Renault and Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot and Citroen, asserted that the vehicles they sold were compliant with regulations at the time.

Past Precedents and Financial Consequences

In 2020, the High Court found that Volkswagen had used defeat devices in breach of European Union rules to pass emissions tests. The company settled a class action out of court, paying 193 million pounds ($259 million) to 91,000 British motorists.

To date, Volkswagen has had to pay more than 32 billion euros worth ($37 billion) in penalties over the scandal, mostly in the United States. This case serves as a stark reminder of the long-term financial and reputational damage that can result from unethical business practices in the automotive industry.