Spain: Volkswagen to pay $20M over false diesel claim

OVIEDO, Spain

A Madrid court ruled on Monday that German carmaker Volkswagen must pay €16.3 million ($19.8) to people who were cheated by the company’s false claims regarding diesel emissions.

In 2015, it was revealed that Volkswagen intentionally programmed diesel engines so that cars would pass emissions tests. In regular use, however, the vehicles emitted up to 40 times more pollutants.

Five years ago, the Spanish consumer organization (OCU) started the legal battle with Volkswagen in hopes of receiving compensation for owners of the affected cars.

The ruling judge said Volkswagen took part in anti-competitive business behavior and ordered the company to bring all practices to an end.

The organization welcomed the ruling although Volkswagen can still appeal.

If the ruling holds, Spanish consumers of the diesel cars in question are to receive €3,000 ($3,600) each as well as free repairs to their vehicles’ software or hardware.

“Volkswagen has repeatedly rejected searching for a solution for affected consumers in Spain like the company did in other countries like Germany,” said OCU in a statement.

Around the world, Volkswagen has settled cases, lost in courts and faced steep fines for the emissions scandal. In June, Bloomberg reported the company has had to pay up to more than $33 billion in fines.