DETROIT (Legal Newsline) – On behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche over alleged faulty emission control systems in their vehicles.
The claim, filed in federal court in Detroit, Michigan, targets Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations LLC, Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America Inc. (collectively referred to as Volkswagen). According to the complaint, Volkswagen installed illegal defeat devices into almost 600,000 diesel engine vehicles. These devices impair emission control systems, causing emissions to exceed the EPA’s standards – a problem that could result in harmful air pollution.
“Car manufacturers that fail to properly certify their cars and that defeat emission control systems breach the public trust, endanger public health and disadvantage competitors,” Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said. “The United States will pursue all appropriate remedies against Volkswagen to redress the violations of our nation’s clean air laws alleged in the complaint.”
The filing seeks injunctive relief and civil penalties. The Justice Department’s collaborators in this matter, the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), have been in discussion with Volkswagen about remedies to the situation.