Dieselgate: La Rochelle agglomeration joins class action against manufacturers

Was the La Rochelle agglomeration smoked by counterfeit engines? To find out, the community decided to join a French class action for compensation against three automotive giants: the Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault groups. Embroiled in the “Dieselgate” scandal, they allegedly misrepresented the actual emissions of their cars for years to circumvent environmental standards. Some cars can secretly pollute the environment 40 times more than the official data of the same manufacturers. Thus, the legal services of the capital region of La Rochelle warned elected officials about the possibility of collective action. Bureau Brandeis, a Parisian law firm, initiated the campaign and is currently bringing together private companies and government agencies to try to obtain compensation for the damage caused.

To participate, “you must have purchased, leased or leased diesel vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen, Stellantis or Renault between 2009 and 2019,” explains the La Rochelle agglomeration. However, he had 65 cars that met these criteria. Intercommunity involves “moral hazard” associated with the deception of builders, as well as “damage to image and reputation, since the agglomeration is very actively involved in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the region.” She also mentions “material damage” because the cars, she says, were purchased at an inflated price. Its elected officials, meeting in the public office in recent days, approved the approach “unanimously,” confirms Jean-François Fontaine, its president.

The Community of La Rochelle clarifies that it will not advance any legal costs, including in the event of failure. Based on decisions taken in other states, a collective victory, on the contrary, will allow you to receive up to 3,000 euros per vehicle, that is, an envelope of 195,000 euros, from which the Bureau’s commission will have to be deducted. Brandeis (28 to 33%). ). Some member municipalities of the agglomeration, in turn, are considering the possibility of joining this action for compensation, so as not to be left on the side of the road.