Diesel emissions scandal claims could cost major car brands at least £6billion, lawyers say
Total costs from the diesel case could amount to around £6billion
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Lawyers speaking in the High Court have warned that more than a dozen car manufacturers could face a £6billion bill over diesel issues in a landmark case.
Around 1.5 million claims have been made against 13 different car manufacturers following the "dieselgate" emissions revelations in 2015.
It alleged that manufacturers were "cheating" emissions tests by using "defeat devices" on diesel vehicles which interfere with emissions controls and make vehicles seem less polluting than they actually are.
Estimates suggest that more than 11 million vehicles around Europe are fitted with "defeat devices".
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There are estimated to be millions of vehicles across Europe with defeat devices
PAPeople involved in the legal action either bought, leased or otherwise acquired a diesel vehicle, most of which were from England and Wales.
Several of the largest vehicle manufacturers on the planet are involved in the legal action over allegations they used defeat devices.
Barrister Benjamin Williams KC explained what was at stake during the trial, with an estimated £300million budget for both sides.
In written submissions for a three-day hearing to manage the costs of the case, he said: "Even if the claims were valued conservatively at c.£4,000 per claim, that would give an overall value of at least £6billion to these proceedings.”
One of the largest manufacturers involved in the case - Mercedes - faces more than 300,000 claims alone, PA reported.
Last year, a judge said the legal action was on an "unprecedented" scale, with almost 1,500 defendants involved once dealerships are taken into account.
Experts have warned that the case will continue for the coming years, with some hearings already scheduled for 2026.
Diesel vehicles alleged to be involved in the lawsuit are made by manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Opel and Vauxhall, Nissan and Renault, Volkswagen and Porsche, Peugeot and Citroen, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, BMW, FCA and Suzuki, Volvo, Hyundai-Kia, Toyota and Mazda.
A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said in a statement: "We continue to believe that the claims against Mercedes-Benz are without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves against them or any group action with the necessary legal means."
Meanwhile, a Ford spokesperson said: "We see no merit in these claims and are robustly defending against them. Our vehicles and engines meet all applicable emissions requirements."
According to recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), sales of diesel vehicles continue to fall quite dramatically.
Diesel vehicle sales have dropped 16.7 per cent year-on-year, with just 9,220 diesel vehicles being registered in May this year.
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New diesel vehicle registrations are falling rapidly
PAThis has resulted in the market share of diesel vehicles falling to just 6.2 per cent - well below the level of all other popular fuel types.
The SMMT estimates that a VAT cut on new electric cars would put 250,000 new EVs on the road instead of petrol and diesel cars over the next three years.