2024 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:13
The comparison in the test case between VW and the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) has failed. Now both sides cover each other with accusations.
Volkswagen wants to compensate the diesel customers from the model lawsuit on its own - but the surprising step raises many questions. Consumer advocates admonish to take a very careful look before accepting an offer.
spoods.de
After the group declared the talks with the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) to have failed on Friday, vzbv boss Klaus Müller even spoke of another fraud - the second after the exhaust gas manipulations. The car manufacturer, on the other hand, emphasized that his one-sided offer was entirely in the interests of the customers. The current status of the dispute:
Up to 6275 euros compensation
From Volkswagen's point of view, only diesel customers who are registered in the model declaratory action can accept the Group's offer. You should - depending on the individual case - receive between 1350 and 6257 euros. On average, each model plaintiff accounted for around 2000 euros with a total compensation amount of up to 830 million euros. On an information page on the Internet, VW advertises customers to accept the "uncomplicated offer".
The consumer advocates, however, warn against a hasty decision. On Monday, the association demanded that VW should not only take into account the participants in the model lawsuit, but also all diesel drivers who had suffered damage: "Instead of a few hundred thousand, millions of defrauded consumers could enjoy compensation payments." However, it is doubtful whether this would be legally possible and financially feasible. The exact method of processing the payments has not yet been determined either. VW is working “under high pressure” on a platform that should be activated from the end of March.
Opportunities and risks in the further process
The consumer advocates fear that VW could get out of the affair more cheaply with the approach of individual compensation than in the case of a formal settlement in court. The control options are also limited. In essence, this was also the reason for the failure of the talks: VW was "not prepared to take transparency and security measures" when processing the payments. The company countered: The association was even accommodated here - the conflict was rather about the amount of the fees for lawyers who were supposed to organize the settlement.
What consumers should do now is hard to say. VW points out that if customers accepted the "direct comparison" they would receive a one-off payment quickly and easily. "Or you can wait for the verdict in the protracted model assessment procedure and then go into your own follow-up proceedings with an uncertain outcome," says the information website. The vzbv accuses VW of wanting to keep its effort low with this strategy. “We'll see each other again in court,” said Müller to the “Handelsblatt”. The lawsuit continues, the consumer advocates are waiting for a new court date. In the end, the diesel drivers could possibly get a higher sum out than with the Volkswagen offer.
BGH hears lawsuit on May 5th
An approaching date apparently played a central role in the sudden breakdown of the negotiations: on May 5, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) will hear the lawsuit of a VW diesel buyer who himself - independently of the model lawsuit - had initiated a lawsuit. A decision of principle is expected that could influence the jurisdiction of numerous regional and higher regional courts in similar suits across the country.
Up until now, VW was often prepared to be relatively generous in comparing itself with customers in individual proceedings that threatened to reach a high court. Deutsche Umwelthilfe emphasized that the European Court of Justice would soon also make a decision in principle on the admissibility of shutdown systems in the emission control of diesel cars. Consumers would have to consider whether they really wanted to meet all demands on VW.
Who pressured whom?
VW and consumer advocates blame each other for the end of the negotiations. There is one statement against one statement. From corporate circles it is said that the vzbv had built up pressure at short notice. Müller told the "Handelsblatt" against it that the bursting was a "gross foul" by VW. They only found out about it from the media after VW had previously agreed to come to an agreement. The result is now a "mud fight against our lawyers". Volkswagen, on the other hand, presents the processes of the previous week in the background very differently. (Dpa)
Recommended:
VW And Consumer Advocates Are Negotiating Again
First the talks about a settlement for diesel customers failed, now VW and the consumer advocates are negotiating with each other again
VW And Consumer Advice Center Are Negotiating A Settlement
VW and the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) are negotiating a settlement in the diesel scandal. Both parties announced this on Thursday
Can Throw Conventions Overboard With E-mobility
For VW, the path to electromobility means the beginning of a new design era. Chief designer Klaus Bischoff speaks in an interview about new freedoms
It Would Be Fatal To Throw Everything Overboard
Chevrolet is on the road to success. In an interview with Autogazette, the new Germany boss Jürgen Keller speaks about new models that
Stone's Throw On The Highway: Family Seriously Injured
A stranger threw a stone on the A7 on Sunday night. As a result, there was a serious accident in which a family was hard