VW refuses to give U.S. States documents in emissions inquires
Source: New York Times
Citing German privacy laws, Volkswagen has refused to provide emails or other communications among its executives to attorneys general in the United States, impeding American investigations into the companys emissions-cheating scandal, according to officials in several state
The revelation signals a turning point in the now openly fractious relations between Volkswagen and American investigators, after claims by the Justice Department, in its own inquiry this week, that the company had recently impeded and obstructed regulators and provided misleading information.
Significantly, investigators say, Volkswagens actions limit their ability to identify which employees knew about or sanctioned the deceptions. Finding the people responsible for the cheating is important to the lawsuits: Penalties would be greater if the states and others pursuing Volkswagen in court could prove that top executives were aware of or directed the activity.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/business/vw-refuses-to-give-us-states-documents-in-emissions-inquiries.html?_r=0Link to source
I do believe that this is going to get uglier.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Bernin
(311 posts)they are exercising the 5th.
This should be interesting.
branford
(4,462 posts)While the 5A would protect individual VW employees and executives fromactually testifying without criminal immunity, the 5A does not protect parties from appropriate demands to turn over relevant records and property. Failure to comply with a subpoena for records and other items could easily result in serious sanction or even contempt of court.
VW is trying to use German privacy and confidentiality laws to protect against disclosures in American courts. It's similar to how Swiss banks operating in the USA often oppose producing records protected by Swiss privacy laws. This is really not that uncommon a situation when international companies are threatened with legal action in the USA. Nevertheless, absent VERY unusual circumstances, American law rules supreme in American courts for companies operating here, and it rarely works out well for the company trying to prevent disclosure. Given the seriousness and pervasiveness of VW's admitted fraud, failure to produce the records and cooperate with investigators will not end well, possibly even resulting in injunctions against VW operating in the USA.
Justice
(7,182 posts)For those of us with an affected car, we are trapped - cannot sell it really, and if you can find a buyer, they want to pay zero for it.
Even our VW dealer offered us peanuts when we tried to trade it in and said they were taking a chance at the peanuts price.
VW needs to buy back the cars or give us generous amount for trade.
if running greasel in these things is a way to over come the emissions problem?
azureblue
(2,130 posts)The cure is an intake restrictor - a plastic open mesh, inserted in the intake somewhere around the air flow sensor, and a reprogramming. Probably a 30 minute job. This has been discussed quite a bit and VW is working on getting it out.
This is the problem with international laws when they conflict. The problem is the US is focusing on blaming someone, and they don't trust Germany to sort it the problems of a German company.. The Germans are focused on a solution first, then finding out who is responsible - the reverse of the US approach.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)pennylane100
(3,425 posts)for a multi billion fuck up that they knowingly created. I am no lawyer but I would like to think that this massive fraud, approved by the highest levels of the company, amounts to criminal behavior. While restitution most definitely has to be part of the solution, there has to be more severe penalties.
I would demand the same type of accountability of it was a US company, Unfortunately our corporations are just as bad, and sometimes worse. The behavior of the oil companies come to mind. Sadly, the consumers will probably end up being screwed and the lawyers and corporations will end up unaccountable.
It is a VW so maybe more like 3 hour job.
Gotta take the bumper off first, ya know
mattvermont
(646 posts)I just bought another for cheap. These are great cars. Still one of the cleanest cars on the road.
I am very happy with 45-50 mpg. Yes Nox is a minor greenhouse gas, but not as bad as CO2 and the vw diesel scores very well on that.
Consider this: There are 100,000 ships in the world's waters today. There are some 7-800,000,000 cars.
15 of the worlds largest 'supermax' ships emit as much NOX as every car in the world.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/09/shipping-pollution
Yes, Nox can be a problem in urban areas. In Vermont, I believe the diesel is better than gas, and possibly better than electric, depending on from what the electricity is generated.
Kelselsius
(50 posts)Once the United States joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), we will see foreign companies snub US laws as a common practice.
exercising the 5th subbing US law?
cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)look at getting a court order that denies VW the ability to import any cars into the US and also closes any and all VW factories in the US until VW agrees to comply and provide the needed information to the government.
stick all those people in the US working at VW plants in the unemployment line.
That'll show em!
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)for refusing to come clean, so they'll get the blame and not Washington...
Bernin
(311 posts)Not keeping these people employed; but that Washington does not get the blame???
Really?!
Initech
(99,909 posts)JCMach1
(27,544 posts)IF they insist on 'personhood' We The People should have the power to put them to death!
Angel Martin
(942 posts)In the UK they test the air quality with roadside sensors. The air is many times more polluted than it should be, given the vehicle types etc.
ALL of the diesel car manufacturers have been cheating on emissions.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3259067/It-s-not-just-VW-Official-tester-claims-four-diesel-car-giants-break-toxic-emissions-limit.html