A court in Munich handed out an initial assessment on fraud allegations directed at former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler. This development took place towards the end of March. If the accusations are proven correct, Stadler’s conviction will be the first to ever happen to a high-power executive. The fraud case is linked to the controversial diesel emissions scandal.
The charges were first filed in 2020 after authorities learned that the Volkswagen Group, Audi’s parent company, got involved in the Dieselgate scandal. Earlier, in 2015, Audi confessed to installing cheat software in their diesel vehicles. They used the software to control emissions testing. Three of the company’s engineers were charged along with Stadler.
During the court session, which had Judge Stefan Weickert presiding, Stadler, Engineer Giovanni Pamio, and Wolfgang Hatz, a former executive of the company, were informed that they may be given prison sentences. The only way out of the situation would be for the defendants to offer a full confession.
There was no clear evidence that the other engineer and defendant committed a criminal offence, so legal action from the judge was not necessary.
Prosecutors say that the engineers allegedly used defeat devices to manipulate emission levels so defeat device-equipped vehicles would pass emissions regulations. The devices have been designed to sense when a vehicle is being tested and so, once this happens, they reduce emissions to levels that are within the legal limits of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This state is temporary, though. When a defeat device-equipped vehicle is brought out of the lab and driven on real-life road conditions, it reverts to emitting dangerous levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx). So, the vehicle is far from being clean and safe. It violates emissions regulations and contributes to air pollution.
The former CEO, on the other hand, was accused of allowing the sale of the defeat device-equipped vehicles even after the scandal had erupted. Other charges were brought against Stadler and his co-defendants, such as false advertising and document falsification, but these were dismissed as the judge found no evidence.
Dieselgate
Stadler and company’s case is linked to the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal, which saw the carmaker recall thousands of affected vehicles in the United States. As already mentioned, Audi was involved in the scandal.
Other carmakers were also implicated in the diesel emissions scandal for using defeat devices. Mercedes-Benz, Vauxhall, and Renault are some of the popular ones. BMW, maker of luxury cars, is also on the list of manufacturers that have allegedly deceived their customers.
Authorities discovered that the German carmaker also manipulated emissions tests. In fact, like VW, Mercedes, Renault, and Audi, BMW emissions claims have already been filed by thousands of affected drivers.
These carmakers exposed drivers and the public to elevated levels of NOx emissions, which can destroy not only the environment but also impact human health.
NOx emissions
Nitrogen oxides or NOx are gases that contain harmful elements, the most notable of which are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO). They are linked to numerous cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases.
When it mixes with other chemicals, NOx produces the pollutant ground-level ozone, as well as air pollution contributors, acid rain and smog.
What should scare you about nitrogen oxide emissions are their effects on your health. Asthma, corroded teeth, and nausea and vomiting are only some of the common impacts of exposure to NOx. The more serious ones include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Pulmonary oedema
- Asphyxiation and laryngospasm
- Certain cancers
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Premature death
Several studies have also linked exposure to nitrogen oxides to incidences of depression and anxiety. There are cases as well where your cognitive health may be affected. A decline in your cognitive abilities means you become more susceptible to dementia.
These health impacts and your carmaker’s deception should be enough reasons for you to file a diesel claim. Authorities believe that carmakers must be held accountable for their illegal actions. You shouldn’t believe otherwise.
Why do I need my diesel claim?
The main reasons are already indicated above, but there are other reasons as well:
- The defeat device may have affected the performance of your vehicle
- The defeat device exposed not only you but the people around you to NOx emissions
- The defeat device cost you more money than you would have normally spent on a vehicle
- You deserve to be compensated for all the inconveniences you went through because of the defeat device
There are other factors that you need to consider, so you should visit ClaimExperts.co.uk right away to verify your eligibility. They have all the information you need regarding emission claims.
Once you’ve verified that you are qualified to claim compensation, find an emissions expert who can help you get your case moving. Your first decision should be whether to file a single claims case or to join a Group Litigation Order (GLO), which is similar to a class-action lawsuit in the US.
Diesel claims are no-win-no-fee cases, so you won’t have to worry about your budget. Start your diesel claim now.