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Volkswagen Group installed “defeat devices” in thousands of its diesel-powered cars to cheat emissions tests, the UK’s High Court has ruled.
The judgement is the latest development in the Dieselgate scandal, and is the result of legal action taken by 90,000 VW, Audi, Skoda and SEAT owners in the UK. Their lawyers have accused VW of having “cheated” European emissions standards.
Delivering the High Court’s judgement, Mr Justice Waksman said “the software function in issue in this case is indeed a defeat device”, reports PA Media. He added that “a software function which enables a vehicle to pass the test because it operates the vehicle in a way which is bound to pass the test and in which it does not operate on the road is a fundamental subversion of the test and the objective behind it”.
Legal firm Slater and Gordon led the group litigation, representing some 70,000 claimants. Its head of group litigation, Gareth Pope, described the result as a “damning judgement”, confirming “what our clients have known for a long time, but which VW has refused to accept”.
In a statement, VW said: “While Volkswagen is disappointed that the outcome was not in our favour, the judgment relates only to preliminary issues. To be clear, today’s decision does not determine liability or any issues of causation or loss for any of the causes of action claimed. These remain to be determined by the Court as the case continues.
“Volkswagen remains confident in our case that we are not liable to the claimants as alleged and the claimants did not suffer any loss. We will continue to defend our position robustly. Nothing in this decision today changes this. We look forward to making progress with defending the remainder of the case.
“Volkswagen is considering carefully the grounds on which it may seek to appeal today’s decision.”
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