Germany’s top court cancels Volkswagen dieselgate hearing
Germany’s top court has cancelled a much-anticipated hearing over Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal, just days before it was set to place.
The Federal Court of Justice cancelled a planned hearing for 27 February after the plaintiff withdrew their complaint against the manufacturer.
But in a rare move it still gave its opinion, knocking down the firm's arguments that its software was legal under European law.
Read more: Volkswagen invests £750m in electric battery manufacturing
According to Bloomberg, Volkswagen had sought a settlement earlier today to avoid a ruling by the top court, where it faces billions of euros in claims from disgruntled investors and customers.
So far Volkswagen and its affiliated traders have won 22 rulings by lower appeals courts but a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice would have bound all other German jurisdictions.
The owner in the case had demanded a new Tiguan diesel SUV from Volkswagen because the one he bought was fitted with the emissions-rigging software.
Volkswagen has claimed that it cannot deliver the car because that generation is no longer in production.
More than 400,000 German customers have participated in a joint legal action against the car manufacturer for fitting its diesel cars with software that could cheat emissions tests designed to limit noxious fumes.
The scandal involved as many as 11m vehicles worldwide and has cost the firm €28bn (£24.4bn) so far.
Read more: Trial begins into €9bn investor lawsuit against Volkswagen
The German company has agreed to pay billions of dollars in the United States to settle claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers. It also offered to buy back 500,000 polluting US vehicles.
German prosecutors’ investigation into the root of the engine rigging are ongoing.
Volkswagen has been approached for comment.