Vauxhall Added To List Of Diesel Manufacturers Found To Use ‘Defeat Devices’
Thursday, 18. February 2021
It should come as no surprise to anyone in the industry that another car manufacturer has been accused of using emissions defeat devices to fool the emissions tests. I was one of the first to say that when VW were found to be using such devices that the problem goes industrywide. It was common knowledge that this was going on, it was just a matter of time before they were found out.
It all started years ago when manufacturers would tape up car doors and remove trim and even door mirrors to reduce drag when checking fuel consumption. They did similar things when emission rules were introduced but when inspectors finally started to check the tests they had to come up with something more creative.
On to the report:
Vauxhall is the latest manufacturer to face claims that some of its diesel engines were fitted with emissions ‘cheating’ devices or software.
It follows similar accusations against Mercedes-Benz, Fiat-Chrysler and the Renault-Nissan alliance, in the wake of the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal.
Law firm Milberg London says it is launching a case against Vauxhall for drivers who bought or leased certain models manufactured between 2009 and 2019.
A statement issued by the car maker said: “Vauxhall Motors is not aware of any such claim and rejects any accusation of using illegal defeat devices. Our vehicles meet the applicable regulations.”
More than a million people could receive compensation if the claim is successful.
Edward Cardington, partner at Milberg London LLP and lead lawyer for the Vauxhall Pay Up Campaign, said: “The Vauxhall Pay Up campaign has set out to prove that Vauxhall cheated both the emissions tests and hardworking British drivers.
“Motorists were promised a combination of low environmental impact and high driving performance that appears to have been impossible in real driving conditions. Put simply, clean diesel looks like a myth and Vauxhall’s cars did not provide the performance drivers paid for.”
The Vauxhall Pay Up campaign will claim under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading regulations. These laws state that customers who were sold products with misleading information could receive anything between 25% and 75% of the cost of the product they purchased in compensation.
Potentially affected models highlighted by Milberg London include diesel versions of the following Vauxhall models: Astra, Cascada, Corsa, Insignia, Mokka, Movano and Zafira. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News
