Dieselgate not over yet: consumer advice center is suing Volkswagen in the “Polo case”

The emissions scandal, also known as Dieselgate, has been around for a number of years. But the incident is not over yet. The consumer association and the Volkswagen Group Diesel Efficiency (VGDES) are again taking Volkswagen to court.

Just for a refresher. VW has installed cheat software on the EA 189 Euro 5 TDI engines, which ensures that fewer emissions are emitted during an emissions test than when driving normally. That came to light in 2015.

The consumer advice center is suing Volkswagen

The consumer association and Volkswagen Group Diesel Efficiency (VGDES) are suing Volkswagen for damages for a customer who bought a 2011 VW Polo Blue Motion because of its “clean character”. “Enormous economy, environmentally friendly technology and pleasant dynamics,” says the sales brochure of the Polo involved in the diesel gate.

“The Volkswagen Polo wasn’t clean at all. It even turned out that the permissible emission standard was significantly exceeded. But thanks to manipulation software, he had passed the entrance exams. The customer was very deliberately deceived,” says Sandra Molenaar, director of the consumer association. Dick Bouma, the chairman of VGDES, says that part of the case is the refund of the purchase price minus the current resale value. “In this case 17,290 minus 2000 euros. The gentleman is therefore to be reimbursed 15,290 euros.”

Dieselgate: “Polo Case”

The “Polo case” is one of four court cases conducted by the consumer advice center and VGDES. “Our aim is for Volkswagen to recognize that it really needs to compensate Dutch consumers and start discussions with us about a program based on the outcome of these proceedings,” says Molenaar.

Several lawsuits against Volkswagen are already pending in the Netherlands and last year Car Claim, which cooperates with the consumer association, was able to convince the Dutch court. The buyers were therefore entitled to compensation. VW appealed because the customers said they had not suffered any financial damage from the higher emissions from the cars affected by the diesel gate.

The “Polo case” is in court in Groningen today (Wednesday).