A judge in the U.S. has approved Volkswagen’s settlement program for its 2.0-liter models embroiled in the dieselgate scandal.
Judge Charles R. Breyer of the United States District Court granted the approval, as expected, and also gave the thumbs up for a consent decree between Volkswagen and the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency. A consent order between Volkswagen and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission was also approved.
After the approval, Volkswagen announced that its 2.0L TDI settlement program will begin immediately and offers affected owners the choice of accepting a buyback from the German automaker, a lease termination or to receive an approved emissions modification to the vehicle.
It is believed that of the 475,000 vehicles affected nationally, about 330,000 affected VW owners have registered to the settlement so far. Alongside each receiving the market value of their vehicle before the scandal, owners can receive between $5,100 and $10,000 in additional compensation.
Affected vehicles include the 2013-2015 Beetle, 2010-2015 Golf, 2009-2015 Jetta, 2012-2015 Passat and 2010-2013, 2015 Audi A3.
Discussing the judge’s decision, president and chief executive of the Volkswagen Group of America, Hinrich J. Woebcken said “Final approval of the 2.0L TDI settlement is an important milestone in our journey to making things right in the United States, and we appreciate the efforts of all parties involved in this process. Volkswagen is committed to ensuring that the program is now carried out as seamlessly as possible for our affected customers and has devoted significant resources and personnel to making their experience a positive one.”
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