PRESS STATEMENT - 28.06.2016

The settlement of Volkswagen with US consumers and government regulators was announced today. The settlement includes:

• Up to $10,000 compensation payment for affected car drivers in the US;
• Volkswagen promise to buyback the car in case it cannot be repaired;
• A fine from US regulators.

At the same time, Volkswagen is ignoring calls to compensate European consumers who were just as affected by the cheat devices as American consumers. Unfortunately and incomprehensibly national authorities around the EU remain silent on the issue. 

Monique Goyens, Director General of The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), commented:

“Volkswagen’s global fraud is a scandal of unprecedented dimensions. Millions of European consumers have been misled into buying a car which they would not have bought had they known about the defeat device. The fact that VW refuses to pay compensation in Europe but is ready to pay in the US adds insult to injury.  Together with our member organisations we will do what we can to pursue Volkswagen for their wrongdoing. Authorities have to take their responsibilities seriously and start supporting consumers.

“That US consumers are worth up to $10,000 more to Volkswagen than EU consumers is down to pressure from authorities, courts, and better enforcement in the US. However, Volkswagen should not think that they can get away with it.”

Global consumer group Consumers’ International has called on Volkswagen to end this double standard and treat all its customers equally, regardless of which country they come from.

ENDS