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THE UNITED STATES Justice Department is suing Volkswagen over the emissions-cheating software found in nearly 600,000 vehicles sold in the United States.
The civil complaint against the German car maker, filed on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency in US District Court in Detroit, alleges the company illegally installed software designed to make its diesel engines pass federal emissions standards while undergoing laboratory testing.
The vehicles then switched off those measures to boost performance in real-world driving conditions, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions up to 40 times greater than federal environmental standards.
“Car manufacturers that fail to properly certify their cars and that defeat emission control systems breach the public trust, endanger public health and disadvantage competitors,” said John C. Cruden, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The United States will pursue all appropriate remedies against Volkswagen to redress the violations of our nation’s clean air laws alleged in the complaint.
There was no immediate response to messages seeking comment today from Volkswagen’s US headquarters.
The company first admitted in September that the cheating software was included in its diesel cars and SUVs sold since the 2009 model year. The company is negotiating a massive mandatory recall with US regulators and potentially faces more than $18 billion (€16.6bn) in fines for violations of the federal Clean Air Act.
The company could also still face separate criminal charges, while a raft of private class-action lawsuits filed by angry VW owners are pending.
“With today’s filing, we take an important step to protect public health by seeking to hold Volkswagen accountable for any unlawful air pollution, setting us on a path to resolution,” said Assistant Administrator Cynthia Giles for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
“So far, recall discussions with the company have not produced an acceptable way forward. These discussions will continue in parallel with the federal court action.”
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Meanwhile in Europe the EU are debating whether to send Volkswagen a stern letter or give them grants to get them over this rough patch…
Passat diesel 84 mpg. Similar sized Chevrolet 28mpg. American cars are the polluter.
America despite having 1/22nd of the worlds population,burn 1/4 of the worlds oil annually.Why are their car makers allowed to still make 7L gas guzzlers.This fine is a joke.I don’t think Volkswagen cars are doing the real polluting here.
No Passat diesel actually does 84mpg. In reality it’s more like 50/60mpg. But yes that’s far better than the 3ltr automobiles all over the USA.
Very true, in fact the same law applies in Canada. This protects the American motor industry. American vehicles are made for mass production, so rather than a quality efficient vehicle that maximises the fuel burnt, they introduce “clean air law”, which burns more fuel for the same power output…..yet it’s ” for the environment”!!
The pollution is due to the diesel as opposed to less efficient petrol engines. The diesel causes nox which is a problem for cities and smog in California for example. This is where diesel is not used widespread in America and also why VW lying and cheated their way into the market.
And then you see pictures of the American rat rods and pick-ups belching black smoke, but of course, they’re not polluting
In Europe, the limit for NOx is 80 milligrams per kilometre. In the US it’s 31, and the same limit you have for a petrol engine. That’s why the solution is more difficult, technically.
18 billion in fines huh. How much was the Americans new Aircraft Carrier again?
Over $13 billion. The German company has itself to blame. Maybe the end of VW.
http://www.thejournal.ie/america-warship-gerald-ford-2466768-Jan2016/
What a shame. VW make some top, top vehicles. The Irish government should sue them also, and try get some of our countries money back from de Germans! If I bought a VW from the effected year I would be paying the lawyer a visit to see what they can do.
Your comment reminds me of the G20 riots in London. I seen a video of one person been robbed, and all if a sudden everyone starts to rob the same person
Yeah that was terrible carry on. Good thing there is a difference between robbing innocent people and suing a multi national giant that lied to not only its own customers but the population as a whole. You should be a spin doctor.
Nobody said that person was innocent!! But I do see a problem with everyone jumping in and kicking someone when they are vulnerable, just for their own personal gain, no matter how big of a company they are. And yes I’ve applied to Fine Gael as a spun doctor
*spin
If you or me acted the way vw has you’d either be shot by someone or In jail for a long time.
‘When they are vulnerable’ – What about the ‘vulnerability’ of its LOYAL CUSTOMERS & the perceived impact on pollution levels / lives. These corporate people put €€€ above people – whats new about business. I doubt Bertie A could even get outa this. Forget spinning for FG or anyone else – U must be German or employed in a VW Dealership.
Can the world sue the US over Iraq. Far more damaging to our planet.
Exhausting work for the legal teams
Interesting over here from my discussions if you bought a VW diesel during the time VW were fiddling their emissions you can go to the VW dealer you bought it from and ask for your money back,
@kerry blake. Where’s over here ? USA ?
American with a lawsuit! Didn’t see that coming.
Obama administration with its priorities firmly in order as usual.
Referring to anything in particular? America is a fairly f*cked country, sounds like you are expecting Obama to solve everything really.
Country was fu#ked long before Obama came along.
Hopefully others follow suit,including us.
Yeah, putting thousands of jobs at risk, should VW be forced to close
Under TTIP and TISA it will be Governments which will be sued, and we won’t even be entitled to know about it. Three cheers for the good old USA for coming up with that wheeze.
This could be bad for us if the Germans decide we should cover this bill too..
have your say