The high court ruled on Friday that most claims brought by 1.6 million UK car owners regarding the dieselgate scandal were rejected. Lady Justice Cockerill stated that in most cases, the court found that the strategies employed by car manufacturers did not qualify as prohibited defeat devices.
Details of the High Court Ruling
The ruling, which came after a lengthy 15-week trial, addressed allegations against major manufacturers including Nissan, Ford, and Peugeot. The judge clarified that while some vehicles from Mercedes and Peugeot-Citroën might be considered to have defeat devices, the majority did not.
“Not every calibration or emissions-control strategy amounts to a defeat device,” Cockerill explained, emphasizing that proof of intent to manipulate test outcomes was necessary for a claim to succeed.
Reactions from Car Manufacturers
Following the judgment, car manufacturers expressed satisfaction with the decision. Mercedes-Benz indicated it would consider appealing regarding the vehicles identified as non-compliant. Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot-Citroën, is also contemplating an appeal.
In contrast, Nissan and Renault maintained their position that their vehicles complied with all regulatory standards. The case marks a significant milestone in the ongoing dieselgate saga, originating from allegations that certain vehicles were equipped with software designed to cheat emissions tests.
Legal Implications and Future Actions
The ruling has implications for similar litigation across Europe, as lawyers for the claimants indicated plans to appeal. They argue that the judgment creates a disparity between the legal interpretations in the UK and the broader European context.
Law firm Leigh Day expressed disappointment, stating that the ruling allows devices deemed illegal in the EU to be considered lawful in Great Britain. Senior partner Martyn Day remarked, “The high court has found that despite their denials, other manufacturers also used VW-style defeat devices.”
- Key points from the ruling:
- Most claims dismissed against major manufacturers.
- Some vehicles found to potentially have defeat devices.
- Manufacturers express intent to appeal certain aspects.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Guardian Environment. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
