FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 file photo, a worker completes an electric car ID.3 body at the assembly line during a press tour at the plant of the German manufacturer Volkswagen AG (VW) in Zwickau, eastern Germany. Germany's Federal Court has ruled Volkswagen must buy back cars from owners who bought vehicles rigged to cheat in emissions tests but consumers must accept current value taking into account the mileage they drove rather than the full purchase price. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, file)
The Associated Press
KARLSRUHE, Germany (AP) - A German court has ruled that Volkswagen must buy back cars from owners of its diesel cars equipped with software that evaded emissions testing - but consumers must accept the current value of the car based on the mileage they drove since buying it, not the purchase price.
Volkswagen said the decision announced Monday would clear the way for settlement of remaining consumer claims in Germany. The decision affects some 60,000 individual claims brought by car owners there; around 262,000 others have already been covered by an 830 million-euro ($904 million) class-action settlement.
'œFor the majority of the 60,000 pending cases, this ruling provides clarity,'ť the company said in a statement. 'œVolkswagen is now seeking to bring these proceedings to a prompt conclusion in agreement with the plaintiffs."
As she left the courtroom, Volkswagen attorney Martina de Lind Wijngaarden said the company would approach plaintiffs 'œas quickly as possible'ť to reach settlements.
The case that was decided Monday involved a plaintiff, Herbert Gilbert, who bought a Volkswagen Sharan model in 2014 that was equipped with the software that turned off emissions controls during testing. He had sought the full purchase price but the court ruled he must accept less due to depreciation related to the distance he drove. The individual case is expected to serve as a guideline for others.
Despite not receiving the full price in return, Gilbert called it 'œa great day'ť and a 'œgreat verdict."
'œIt is the ruling I was expecting, which not only helps me, but also helps many thousands of plaintiffs who are still waiting in line to end their lawsuits,'ť he told reporters.
Volkswagen was caught cheating by U.S. authorities in September 2015 and has since paid more than 33 billion euros in fines and settlements worldwide. Two executives went to prison in the United States and more are facing criminal proceedings and investigations in Germany.
Volkswagen still faces lawsuits from investors.
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McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany.
Plaintiff Herbert Gilbert, owner of a VW Diesel passenger car, sits in the courtroom of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) prior to the verdict in the trial between him and the Volkswagen company in Karlsruhe, Germany, Monday, May 25, 2020. According to the ruling, Volkswagen is basically obliged to pay damages to car owners affected by the diesel scandal. (Thorsten Gutschalk/Pool/dpa via AP)
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Presiding Judge at the Federal Court of Justice Stephan Seiters center, announced the verdict in the trial between the Volkswagen company and the owner of a VW Diesel passenger car Herbert Gilbert, left, in Karlsruhe, Germany, Monday, May 25, 2020. According to the ruling, Volkswagen is basically obliged to pay damages to car owners affected by the diesel scandal. (Thorsten Gutschalk/Pool/dpa via AP)
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FILE - In this April 28, 2016 file photo Volkswagen cars are presented to media inside a delivery tower n Wolfburg, Germany. Germany's Federal Court has ruled Volkswagen must buy back cars from owners who bought vehicles rigged to cheat in emissions tests but consumers must accept current value taking into account the mileage they drove rather than the full purchase price. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
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FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 file photo the Volkswagen logo is photographed through rain drops on a window in Frankfurt, Germany. Germany's Federal Court has ruled Volkswagen must buy back cars from owners who bought vehicles rigged to cheat in emissions tests but consumers must accept current value taking into account the mileage they drove rather than the full purchase price. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)
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