1:41 pm, October 15, 2015
A NEW study has revealed that nine out of 10 Volkswagen drivers whose vehicles may be caught up in the diesel emissions scandal think they are entitled to compensation.
The manufacturer has yet to confirm whether it will be providing any form of financial recompense to owners of cars fitted with the ‘defeat device’ software that triggered the current crisis for the company.
VW’s UK boss Paul Willis is on record as saying it is ‘premature’ to discuss the possibility of compensation. Addressing the House of Commons transport committee this week, he indicated that he saw the emissions scandal more as a trust issue rather than something that was safety-related.
It is reported that around 1.2 million vehicles have been affected in the UK. Recalls are planned to get under way in the first three months of 2016 so that remedial work can be carried out.
The survey assessing the desire for compensation was carried out by consumer champions Which? The company consulted more than 2,000 motorists who own a VW diesel car manufactured between 2008 and 2015. Nine out of 10 respondents said they felt entitled to some form of payout.
Ninety-six per cent of people said fuel efficiency was an important factor when buying a car, with 90 per cent saying they were concerned about the environmental impact of their mode of transport.
Tellingly, 74 per cent of affected VW owners said they thought the manufacturer had handled the crisis poorly while Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: ‘Volkswagen UK must set out an urgent timetable for redress to the owners of the affected vehicles.’
In a separate development today, Germany’s automotive watchdog ordered Volkswagen to recall 2.4 million cars in that country as the scandal showed no signs of abating in the manufacturer’s home country.
MORE ON THE VW SCANDAL:
2016 vehicles ‘have more cheat software‘
UK boss admits ‘defeat device’ was used in European emissions tests
EIB could withdraw funds as hardware changes needed
UK’s VW boss to face MPs next week
US boss admits company was informed last year
Vehicles recalled from January as rebuild process begins
Muller warns of ‘painful’ cuts
Investigation widened to include other brands
Ford and BMW defend German car industry
UK owners won’t be hit with tax rise
Car supermarket slashes German vehicle prices
Thousands of vehicle sales are halted in UK
Almost 1.2 million vehicles affected in UK
Values ‘marginally affected’ by emissions
700,000 Seat cars fitted with emissions test ‘cheat’ software
Winterkorn facing probe by German prosecutors
Audi reveals more than 2m of its cars worldwide have ‘cheat’ software
Switzerland bans sale of diesel Volkswagens
Carmaker admits diesel scandal affects VW Group vehicles
Government was warned about emissions testing
Department for Transport launches emissions investigation
CAP predicts no impact on Volkswagen residual values
Skoda, Seat and Audi dealers braced for bad news
UK businesses hit by ripple effect
Biggest UK lawsuit could be on the cards
VW just tip of the iceberg amid claims tests are open to abuse
Chief executive ‘could lose his job’
