Carmakers Defeat Most Allegations in U.K. Dieselgate Case

A London court has largely rejected claims that car manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and Renault, used illegal defeat devices to cheat on emissions tests. The case, which involved 1.6 million claimants and 38 allegations, saw only two allegations upheld, undermining one of the country’s largest mass claims. The court will hold an October hearing to determine consequences and potential payouts, if any, following the partial dismissal of claims. The judgment is a blow to one of the largest mass claims in the country’s history and sets a precedent for similar cases against nine other carmakers in the U.K. The carmakers had previously denied the allegations, arguing that the claims were misconceived and meritless. The court found most of the tested vehicles were compliant with regulations, with a spokesperson for Mercedes stating that the court ruled expressly that the functionality objected to did not reduce the effectiveness of the emissions control system. The allegations tied to the original 2015 scandal have cost Volkswagen AG more than $30 billion and have led to multiple criminal convictions, although Volkswagen is not among the five lead defendants in the U.K. trial.