Mitsubishi admits to manipulating fuel economy data

[webby]

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi has admitted manipulating fuel economy data related to some 625,000 vehicles. The company announced the news at a press conference this morning, apologizing for the deception and saying it is investigating the employees involved. The manipulated data covers four vehicle models that fall under the Japanese category of kei car. This is a classification that covers minivans, trucks, and passenger cars, but is reserved for vehicles that meet economical fuel consumption standards and are consequently taxed at a lower rate.

 

[bootyluvr]

So are owners of these said cars going to get compensated for getting lower MPGs?

 

[webby]

I'm sure it'll be similar to Volkswagen's court case. A judge just ruled that vw had to buy back over 600k cars that were part of the gas mileage case, or vw had to pay for all repairs for those cars. It's estimated to cost them over a billion dollars.

 

[bootyluvr]

My buddy that has a VW is only getting $500 back...

 

[webby]

Some reports say like 480k cars, and others say it's almost 600k cars. Anyway -

=====
Volkswagen and U.S. officials have reached a framework deal under which the automaker would offer to buy back almost 500,000 diesel cars that used sophisticated software to evade U.S. emission rules, two people briefed on the matter said on Wednesday.

The German automaker is expected to tell a federal judge in San Francisco Thursday that it has agreed to offer to buy back up to 500,000 2.0-liter diesel vehicles sold in the United States that exceeded legally allowable emission levels, the people said.

That would include versions of the Jetta sedan, the Golf compact and the Audi A3 sold since 2009. The buyback offer does not apply to the bigger, 80,000 3.0-liter diesel vehicles also found to have exceeded U.S. pollution limits, including Audi and Porsche SUV models, the people said.
===========

other reports are saying they're going to appeal, so it could be a while before anything is resolved.

 

[webby]

Here we go - they have until June 21st


Volkswagen has until June 21 to lay out the specifics of the proposed deal for scrutiny by the court, which is overseeing the consolidation of more than 500 civil lawsuits against the company. A hearing on the settlement, which will need the court’s approval, is scheduled for July 26.

For now, the auto maker has pledged to give drivers of about 480,000 2-liter diesel vehicles the option of selling the cars back to Volkswagen, or having them modified to meet emissions standards, the judge said. Those with a lease can cancel it and return the vehicle to Volkswagen. Consumers also will get “substantial compensation” on top of that, the judge said.

 

[webby]

So, Mitsubishi just admitted to altering fuel mileage for 25yrs.

The situation at Mitsubishi Motors just went from bad to much, much worse.
The Japanese automaker admitted Tuesday that it had falsified fuel efficiency tests for the past quarter century, the latest revelation in a scandal that has rocked the company. Investors responded by pushing Mitsubishi shares down by 10%. The fuel test scandal has now erased half of the company's market value, and its shares are sitting at a record low.

The automaker said last week that it had used improper fuel economy tests on hundreds of thousands of vehicles, including some sold to Nissan (NSANF). But the duration of improper testing disclosed by the company Tuesday was much broader than previously known. Cars with inflated fuel efficiency ratings were sold only in Japan. Mitsubishi said it would ask lawyers from outside the company to investigate the tests.

 

[Michal006]

My buddy that has a VW is only getting $500 back...

They are going to get more than that. Don't post false information on the forums.

 

[Michal006]

All TDI owners got $500 card that they could purchase anything at the VW dealer or pay for car service.

Now there is a talk about giving TDI owners $5000, but I doubt that they are going to see that money in their bank account.

 

[bootyluvr]

They are going to get more than that. Don't post false information on the forums.

All TDI owners got $500 card that they could purchase anything at the VW dealer or pay for car service.

Now there is a talk about giving TDI owners $5000, but I doubt that they are going to see that money in their bank account.

^ So the info I posted was correct...

 

[Michal006]

"Is only getting $500 back"

 

[bootyluvr]

"Is only getting $500 back"

Yeah... Only. It's not thousand's.

 

[Michal006]

Yeah... Only. It's not thousand's.

But they are going to get more than that.

 

[bootyluvr]

But they are going to get more than that.

So you think.... I will believe it when he sends me a picture of something more than $500..

 

[webby]

court hearing is july 26th, so it could be a while

 

[bootyluvr]

court hearing is july 26th, so it could be a while

I guess something is better than nothing...

 

[webby]

United States EPA is getting involved now -

The Environmental Protection Agency ordered Mitsubishi to further inform them on their US models, after the Japanese company announced their improper fuel economy testing of their vehicles in Japan for the last 25 years.

 

[FooBird]

But they are going to get more than that.

SWMBO got $500.

 

[NotMattalliSI]

I got $500 pre-paid Visa and $500 for VW dealer work. Both have to be spent in 2016. https://www.vwdieselinfo.com/goodwill_package/
If something more comes of this great, if not, I'm sure whatever I am offered for my 2011 VW Jetta TDI isn't worth it. It gets crazy good gas mileage and I wouldn't sell it for the 'before' value. The issue is that the car simply has no diesel pollution scavenging device whatsoever and the computers altered the performance on a testing machine/dyno. When they are on a dyno, they get worse mileage but better emmissions. Evil of VW but if you got 20 more mpg by removing your catalytic converter I bet people would be ditching them in herds. Difference being a corporation vs. consumer.

Lansing temporarily stopped selling their SUV's because of false mileage stickers. Ford, Hyuindai and others have been caught on mileage cheating and had to give payouts as it is pretty simple math to calculate. I recall the Honda Hybrid didn't match the hype and people wanted their money back after not seeing the payback.

 

[webby]

VW's $14.7-billion settlement gets preliminary approval from judge

Owners can expect to get official notices soon

The big $14.7-billion settlement VW reached with US regulators over the company's diesel cheat devices and lies has taken a step towards completion. The company announced today that the United States District Court overseeing the case has given his preliminary approval. That means that VW and Audi will now start sending out official notices to owners of affected vehicles spelling out what happens next.

The Plaintiffs' Committee for Volkswagen "Clean Diesel" Litigation said it was pleased with the approval, as you can read below. The next official step will happen at the final approval hearing on October 18, 2016.

As a reminder, the affected vehicles involved with this settlement include the following with the 2.0-liter diesel engine:

• 2013-2015 VW Beetle
• 2010-2015 VW Golf
• 2009-2015 VW Jetta
• 2012-2015 VW Passat
• 2010-2013 and 2015 Audi A3

There's still no fix approved to keep affected vehicles on the road and no agreement on what should happen to affected 3.0-liter vehicles.


VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF 2.0L TDI SETTLEMENT PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES

Volkswagen AG announced today that Judge Charles R. Breyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has granted preliminary approval of the settlement agreement reached on June 28 with private plaintiffs represented by the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee (PSC) to resolve civil claims regarding eligible Volkswagen and Audi 2.0L TDI vehicles in the United States.

Individual class members will now receive notification of their rights and options under the agreement. Volkswagen will begin the settlement program immediately after the Court grants final approval to the class settlement, which is anticipated on October 18, 2016.

Under the proposed settlement, eligible customers will have two choices: (1) they can sell back their vehicle to Volkswagen or terminate their lease without an early termination penalty, or, (2) keep their vehicle and receive a free emissions modification, if approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Customers who select any of these options under the settlement will also receive a cash payment from Volkswagen. More information about the program can be found at www.VWCourtSettlement.com.

Volkswagen appreciates the constructive engagement of all the parties, under the direction of Judge Breyer and with the active participation of Special Master Robert S. Mueller III, as the settlement approval process moves forward. The parties believe that the proposed settlement program will provide a fair, reasonable and adequate resolution for affected Volkswagen and Audi customers.

Notes to Editors

The following 2.0L TDI engine vehicles are included in the proposed 2.0L TDI settlement program:
VW Beetle VW Golf VW Jetta VW Passat Audi A3

2013- 2015 2010-2015 2009-2015 2012-2015 2010-2013; 2015

Volkswagen continues to work closely with the EPA and CARB on an approved emissions modification for each of the 2.0L TDI engine vehicles listed above. Volkswagen is also trying to secure approval of a technical resolution for affected vehicles with a V6 3.0L TDI engine as quickly as possible.

In addition to the proposed class settlement, Volkswagen has entered into a separate Consent Decree with the United States Department of Justice (acting on behalf of the EPA), CARB and the California Attorney General and a separate Partial Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment with the United States Federal Trade Commission regarding 2.0L TDI vehicles. Volkswagen has also resolved current and potential consumer protection claims of 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The agreements are not an admission of liability by Volkswagen. By their terms, they are not intended to apply to or affect Volkswagen's obligations under the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction outside the United States. The company continues to work to resolve other outstanding legal matters in the United States.

==

STATEMENT ON PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI 2.0-LITER EMISSIONS SETTLEMENT

San Francisco, CA (July 26, 2016) —Elizabeth Cabraser, lead counsel for the consumer plaintiffs in the Volkswagen "Clean Diesel" Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, released the following statement regarding the Court granting preliminary approval of the Volkswagen and Audi 2.0-Liter Emissions Settlement. A final approval hearing will be held on October 18, 2016.

"We are pleased the Court has granted preliminary approval, which brings us a step closer toward achieving the settlements' goals: fairly compensating consumers, undoing the cars' environmental damage through remediation, and fixing or getting these polluting cars off the road. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from affected owners and lessees in response to this historic agreement, and believe this support will only grow as consumers learn more about the benefits of the settlement. We look forward to finalizing this agreement so consumers can soon take advantage of its benefits."

Under the class action settlement agreement, Volkswagen will create a funding pool of up to $10.033 billion dollars. The settlement will provide consumers the choice of:

· A Buyback or lease termination on approximately 475,000 2.0-liter diesel vehicles.
· If approved by the EPA and California Air Resources Board (or CARB), an emissions modification to ensure the vehicle no longer generates excess nitrogen oxide emissions.

Whether they choose a Buyback or an approved emissions modification, the settlement also offers eligible owners and lessees with cash compensation. This is in addition to the vehicle's buyback value or approved modification.

Under settlements with EPA and CARB, which are incorporated in the class action settlement agreement, Volkswagen will pay an additional $2.7 billion for environmental remediation and commit another $2.0 billion to promote Zero Emissions Vehicle technology. Volkswagen will also be required to pay additional money into a mitigation trust if it fails to remove from commerce or modify at least 85 percent of covered 2.0 liter vehicles by June 30, 2019. Volkswagen also reached separate agreements with the Federal Trade Commission as well as a number of State Attorneys General.

Vehicle Buyback:

Under the terms of the proposed class settlement, eligible owners who choose the Buyback program will receive a payment equal to the September 2015 National Automobile Dealers Association ("NADA") Clean Trade-In value of the car (before the emissions conduct became public), adjusted for their options and mileage. Certain owners will be eligible for forgiveness of their car loan obligations, and certain lessees will be able to terminate their lease with no penalty. Volkswagen may begin buying back eligible vehicles as early as the fall of 2016, just over one year after the diesel emissions issues were first revealed.

Vehicle Fix:

Alternatively, if owners or lessees prefer, they can wait and see whether an emissions modification is approved by EPA and CARB for their vehicles. If an EPA and CARB-approved emissions modification becomes available, Volkswagen will modify their non-compliant 2.0-liter vehicle free of charge. If a modification is not approved for a certain vehicle, the Buyback Program will still be available, or a class member can withdraw from the settlement. Volkswagen will be prohibited from re-selling in the U.S. or abroad any vehicle that does not receive an approved emissions modification.

Cash Payments:

Current and certain former owners and lessees will also receive cash payments in addition to the buyback value or approved modification. The amount is the same whether one participates in the buyback or modification program. The settlement agreement includes a formula for how this cash payment is determined. For example, most owners who purchased a 2.0-liter vehicle before September 18, 2015 will be eligible for a payment ranging from $5,100 to approximately $10,000 per vehicle. This cash is to be paid on top of the September 2015 Clean Trade-in value for those participating in the Buyback Program.

Class members can visit www.VWCourtSettlement.com to learn if they have an eligible vehicle. If the Court grants preliminary approval, this site will soon include a secure settlement look-up tool where consumers can enter their vehicle's VIN to learn their compensation amount. When and if the Court grants final approval, the claims process will open to eligible Volkswagen and Audi 2.0 liter owners and lessees. Volkswagen and Audi 3.0-liter vehicles are not covered in this settlement, as those discussions are currently on a separate track. The next status conference in that case will be held on August 25, 2016. Additional information can also be found on the Court's website: http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/crb/vwmdl.