Story
Major Automakers Largely Prevail in First Stage of UK Diesel Emissions Lawsuits
Summary
A UK court has ruled mostly in favor of carmakers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis in a landmark initial judgment on claims they used illegal 'defeat devices' to cheat emissions tests.
Several of the world's largest automakers have secured a significant, though not absolute, victory in the first round of a massive UK legal battle over diesel emissions. A London court on Friday rejected most of the primary allegations that the companies used prohibited "defeat devices" to manipulate emissions control systems.
The Court's Ruling
In a summary of her decision, Judge Sara Cockerill stated that she had "rejected most of the principal allegations advanced against the manufacturers whose vehicles were examined at trial," according to Reuters. The ruling followed an extensive trial that began in October, which focused on 20 sample vehicles from five major manufacturing groups:
- Mercedes-Benz
- Ford
- Nissan
- Renault
- Stellantis (covering its Peugeot and Citroen brands)
While the judgment represents a substantial win for the carmakers, the judge did note some adverse findings. Specifically, the court found that a "split mode" of combustion used in a Citroen vehicle did constitute a defeat device.
AdMarket Impact and Context
This trial was the most significant hearing to date in a series of 13 group lawsuits brought by approximately 1.6 million claimants in the UK. The legal actions are part of the wider fallout from the 'Dieselgate' scandal that has affected the automotive industry for years.
Friday's decision relates to test cases involving the five named manufacturers, but its implications are far-reaching. The ruling is expected to be binding on around 800,000 similar claims against other carmakers involved in the litigation. For investors, the outcome reduces some of the immediate legal and financial uncertainty facing these companies in the UK, though the litigation is expected to continue.