Prosecutors in Paris are seeking justice for Volkswagen in connection with the Dieselgate emissions fraud scandal, aiming for compensation for French consumers. In 2015, Volkswagen admitted to using devices in 11 million vehicles to manipulate environmental regulations by reducing emissions during testing, a strategy endorsed by management.
Nearly a million French customers incurred costs for servicing and repairs following the disclosures, and a 2021 report confirmed the use of software to cheat emissions tests, highlighting the health risks associated with nitrogen dioxide emissions as a contributing factor.
Although Volkswagen paid over $1 billion in compensation in a German court case that concluded in 2018, the company is contesting the charges in France, claiming that French consumers experienced no harm and that facing duplicate charges for the same allegations is not permitted. The focus of the French charges is on consumer rights, with prosecutors asserting that they are 'complementary' to the German case. Additionally, numerous lawsuits against Volkswagen are ongoing in the United States and other countries related to Dieselgate, one of the biggest controversies in the auto industry.