Texas Sues Volkswagen and Audi over Deceptive Trade Practices, Environmental Violations
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Audi of America, LLC over violations of state consumer protection laws, along with a separate suit charging that the companies violated clean air standards in Texas. The lawsuits allege the companies misled Texas consumers by marketing and selling diesel vehicles as “clean” while knowing that these vehicles were designed to meet emission standards only when being tested; outside of the testing station they would emit up to 40 times the allowable standard for certain pollutants.
“For years, Volkswagen intentionally mislead consumers about the environmental and performance qualities of the vehicles they sold in Texas,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “When companies willfully violate the public’s trust, a penalty must be paid, and we will hold these entities responsible.”The state is seeking restitution on behalf of Texas consumers who were victimized by Volkswagen’s deceptions and misrepresentations as well as an injunction barring the companies from engaging in such practices in the future. The state also seeks civil penalties to deter Volkswagen and others from similar behavior in the future.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Volkswagen vehicle’s emissions would run up to 40 times higher than the amount shown during the emissions standards testing. Volkswagen confirmed more than 480,000 such vehicles were sold in the United States. Texas consumers have purchased approximately 32,000 of these vehicles since their introduction to the market. (Attorney General of the State of Texas, Ken Paxton)