Brussels, 29/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - The compensation plan unveiled in an American court on Tuesday 28 June for US consumers deceived by Volkswagen in the diesel engine emissions scandal is confirmation that European consumers will be the have-nots in this affair, provoking the ire of MEPs and consumer organisations.
The Volkswagen plan will see up to $10,000 paid in compensation to owners of cars caught up in the scandal in the United States and a promise to buy back affected vehicles if they cannot be repaired, and a fine paid to US regulatory authorities, whereas European consumers are not expected to receive a penny.
On 26 June, Industry Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska called publicly for compensation to be paid to Europeans in the same way as to American consumers. She is due to meet the president of the German carmaker on Thursday 30 June.
Class actions expected. The European consumers organisation BEUC, outraged at the double standards and the silence of national authorities in Europe and of the EU as Volkswagen turns a deaf ear to its calls, has no intention of letting things rest. It immediately announced, on Tuesday evening, its intention to mount class actions. Several of its members, including Altro consume, Consumidores and Test-Achats, have already launched proceedings of this sort to try to ensure that European consumers, too, receive compensation.
“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”, said Monique Goyens, director general of BEUC.
Double penalty. MEP Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France), deputy chair of the Parliament's commission of inquiry on polluting emissions (EMIS), is enraged that European consumers are being treated as second class citizens. “These double standards is a double hit for European consumers. They have been cheated in the same way as American consumers yet we are being led to believe that they have not suffered any losses. It is very clear today, however, that the reputation of Volkswagen vehicles and diesel vehicles in general is failing on the used car market”. She added: “If Volkswagen really is serious about dealing honourably with the aftermath of this scandal, it should begin by treating European and American consumers on equal terms”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)