Center for Auto Safety Sues Volkswagen & Audi Over Defeat Device Emission Violations

The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

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October 19, 2015
Information: 202.328.7700

Center for Auto Safety Sues Volkswagen & Audi Over Emission Violations Using Defeat Devices

The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) sued Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, et al in US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Unlike the numerous private class actions filed across the country that seek consumer damages over VW’s use of sophisticated computer software to cheat on emission tests run by the US EPA and CARB, CAS’ lawsuit seeks injunctive relief:

  • To remediate the environmental harm caused by VW’s excess emissions release,
  • To appoint an independent organization to monitor VW’s compliance with state and federal laws as well as other relief granted in this lawsuit,
  • To order VW to pay a portion of its annual net profits into an independent fund administered by third parties to non-profit organization to offset the environmental damage.
  • To order such other relief as may be just and proper.

CAS Executive Director Clarence Ditlow said:

CAS has sued VW and Audi because they committed an unprecedented corporate crime and fraud on the public that requires injunctive relief to remedy the harm caused by their violations of state and federal environmental and consumer protection laws.  Class actions and government enforcement actions result in headlines, penalties and settlements that do nothing to change underlying corporate behavior or remediate the underlying damage caused by illegal behavior.  The independent monitors and auditors sanctioned by the Justice Department and federal agencies are nothing more than corporate law firms and employees who all too willing to sign off on the behavior of their employers in documents filled with withheld redactions.  When so-called independent funds are set up as was done in the Toyota Unintended  Acceleration class action, they go to auto company designed programs that benefit the auto maker, not the consumer.

CAS will use its integrity and skills acquired through 45 years of battling the auto industry to ensure that this litigation will reform VW and Audi once and for all and set a precedent for all other auto companies in the future.

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CAS has a long history in working on motor vehicle fuel economy and emissions dating back to the early 1970’s. The Safe Climate Campaign headed by Dan Becker is a program of CAS.

CAS is represented by Hausfeld LLP, 1700 K Street NW Ste 650, Washington DC 20006, 202.540.7200.
Hausfeld is a leading global law firm with offices in Washington, DC; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Brussels; and London. The firm has a broad range of complex litigation expertise, particularly in consumer, antitrust/competition, financial services, sports and entertainment, environmental, mass torts, and human rights matters. For more information about the firm, please visit: www.hausfeld.com.

CAS Statement on Volkswagen $15 Billion Emissions Settlement – 10/25/16

Center for Auto Safety v. Volkswagen – Complaint

Volkswagen Emissions Defeat Devices Violate EPA Emissions Rules