VW emissions: Transport Committee still pushing for answers
25 April 2017
The Transport Committee publishes two letters challenging VW's continued mishandling of the emissions scandal and the outcomes for the UK.
- Letter to John Hayes MP regarding Volkswagen emissions, 18 April 2017
- Letter to Hans Dieter Pötsch regarding Volkswagen emissions, 18 April 2017
- Volkswagen emissions
- Transport Committee
VW emissions violations
In the absence of adequate answers from Paul Willis, Managing Director of Volkswagen UK, on the company's actions following the emissions scandal, the Chair has written to the Chairman of Volkswagen's Supervisory Board, Hans Dieter Pötsch.
A letter seeking updates from the Government has also been sent to the Minister of State for Transport, John Hayes MP.
Chair's comment
The Chair of the Committee, Louise Ellman MP, commented:
"Today the Transport Committee is publishing my letters to the Minister, John Hayes MP and Hans Dieter Pötsch, Chairman of Volkswagen's Supervisory Board, demanding further answers in the aftermath of the emissions scandal.
While Volkswagen owners in the United State have received compensation, those in the UK have been treated shabbily and offered nothing. UK consumers must not be the poor relations here.
The Transport Committee has consistently pushed for redress for Volkswagen customers and the general public. Paul Willis, Managing Director of Volkswagen UK, has repeatedly failed to provide satisfactory answers to our questions. Perhaps Dr Pötsch, who has oversight for Volkswagen's worldwide operations, is better placed to explain Volkswagen's conduct.
Given Volkswagen's previous reluctance to account for itself, I have also written to the Minister of State stressing the importance of the Department pursuing all available options to ensure that customers and taxpayers do not bear the brunt of Volkswagen's actions. The Government must not be able to wash its hands of this issue."
Committee's inquiry
The Transport Committee has tracked the emissions scandal since October 2015, holding evidence sessions on 12 October 2015 and 25 January 2016. A follow-up session was held on 20 February 2017.
The Committee published its report into the scandal (PDF 2.18 MB) in July 2016.
Throughout the Committee's work on the VW emissions scandal, MPs have maintained that VW has failed UK customers and that the Department should be more forceful on behalf of the UK. Without adequate reform of the vehicle type approval system in Europe and proper sanctions against manufacturers who cheat, there is little to stop a similar crisis from happening again.
The Committee believes it is deeply unfair that Volkswagen has refused to compensate owners of affected cars in Europe despite offering significant compensation to vehicle owners in the US.
Further information
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