OCU initiates a class action suit against Volkswagen due to the emissions scandal

The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) has just taken the first steps to initiate a class action lawsuit against the Volkswagen-Audi España S. A. Group for the purposes of demanding monetary compensation for those individuals affected by the emissions fraud uncovered last September. These compensations could reach amounts of up to 1,000.00€ per vehicle.

OCU has activated a toll-free telephone number (900 907 037) as well as its Movilízate campaign platform for the affected parties where they can find information about and take part in the class action suit until the 11th of April, 2016. Likewise, OCU has made a form available to the affected parties which they can fill out if they would like OCU to get in touch with them: http://www.ocu.org/movilizate/mentira-vw

This legal action, initiated by OCU, is a class action lawsuit which falls within the framework of legitimation of consumers and users organisations granting said organisations the right to legally defend the rights and interests of affected parties before the courts.

OCU reminds consumers that numerous attempts have been made to get the Volkswagen-Audi Group to cooperate and compensate the affected users. Nevertheless, a positive response from said Group has not been achieved via meetings organised by the European Consumer Organisation(BEUC) or following the only meeting attended by the Group one month ago. Furthermore, no real willingness by the vehicle manufacturer to compensate the affected parties for the damages caused by its unlawful conduct has been seen.

This class action lawsuit is the first legal proceeding of its kind initiated in Europe against the German manufacturer, begun 6 months after the scandal came to light. To date, the vast majority of car owners affected by this scandal have not had their vehicles repaired and have not received any compensation for the damages caused. On the contrary, in the United States, the German company has voluntarily initiated a compensation plan for its North American clients, a plan which it has refused to offer to its European clients.

For OCU, the attitude of the Volkswagen-Audi Group in refusing to offer any type of compensation to European consumers and delaying the deadlines for repairing the affected vehicles without justification shows a clearly negligent disloyalty towards consumers who, in addition to the damages caused by the manipulation of their vehicles, have suffered a feeling of uncertainty as to whether or not the performance and fuel consumption of their vehicles, once repaired, will continue to be affected.

For more information, please contact Eva Jiménez (Media) Telephone: 917226061 prensa@ocu.org