US election may disrupt Volkswagen settlementEmissions scandal could be prolonged Volkswagen fears that Donald Trump''s election might delay a multibillion-dollar settlement with the US authorities. Volkswagen has expressed concern that Donald Trump''s election as US president could disrupt talks to reach a settlement with US authorities over the German carmaker''s cheating on emissions tests for diesel cars.“I hope the election result won''t have more negative consequences for Volkswagen,” chief executive officer Matthias Mueller said on Wednesday at a conference in Munich.
“I think we''re at a point where a ''consent decree'' could be reached, but that''s the Department of Justice''s decision, not mine.”
While Volkswagen has agreed to a US$14.7 billion civil settlement covering 480 000 cars with 2.0-litre diesel engines, the company is still faces criminal penalties and has yet to reach a deal on about 80 000 cars with tainted 3.0-litre motors.
A delay in the talks would prolong the scandal and complicate Volkswagen''s efforts to emerge from the crisis, which erupted in September 2015.
Mueller said talks with US authorities were “constructive” and nearing completion. “We''re now waiting how to continue the good work and bring it to a good conclusion,” he said.
NEWS24