Volkswagen settles dieselgate claims in the Netherlands
Consumer groups and Volkswagen have reached a settlement in their long-running legal dispute over software manipulation which played down how polluting the company’s cars actually were.
More than 100,000 Volkswagen car owners will now get compensation of between €300 and €2500, depending on when they bought the car, what type it was and if it was new or second hand.
Volkswagen admitted in 2015 that it had sold some 11 million cars worldwide which had been fitted with software which let them appear to be less polluting than they actually were in laboratory tests.
The settlement applies to all diesel cars fitted with the software and belonging to the Volkswagen group, including Audi, Seat and Skoda which were sold between 2008 and 2015.
The settlement brings to an end five court cases brought by three foundations over the years, all of which were lost by Volkswagen in lower courts and had gone to appeal.
Owners can register their claim on website dieselakkoord.nl. They must also be able to prove they own or owned an EA189 diesel motor, in which the software was installed.
The scandal, which became known as Dieselgate, has cost the manufacturer billions of euros in fines, settlements and recall costs.
Volkswagen has also been ordered to compensate car buyers in countries including the US, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Spain.
“Since our foundation was launched we have fought hard for a fair deal for Dutch car owners,” said Guido van Woerkom, chairman of the Stichting Car Claim. “It needed patience but it is good that all sides have now come to an appropriate solution.”
Cases against other car manufacturers in the Netherlands are still pending.
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