As a result of a national case against Volkswagen, which has been accused of emissions fraud, around 6,638 Volkwagen customers in Indiana will be eligible for monetary compensation and the option of having their vehicles bought back or modified to reduce emissions.
Restitution to Indiana residents could amount to $66 million, according to a press release from the Indiana attorney general’s office.
Volkswagen, according to the release, incorrectly marketed its vehicles as being environmentally friendly and “green,” although this was not the case.
“Volkswagen deceived customers by misrepresenting its diesel vehicles’ emissions and advertising its cars as meeting ‘green’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ standards,” Attorney General Greg Zoeller said in the release. “People paid a premium for a benefit they simply did not receive. In our efforts to protect consumers, attorneys general have ensured Volkswagen will pay for its misrepresentations and compensate its customers to right this wrong.”
While Volkswagen promoted its green vehicles, the release states, the company was well aware its cars emitted harmful nitrogen oxides at higher rates than were legal.
Owners in the state of Indiana will be eligible for a restitution payment of at least $5,100 and a choice between a buy back of the vehicle or a modification, which would restore the car back to lawful standards, providing Volkswagen is able to create such a fix.
Indiana as an individual state will likely garner between $34 and $66 million in consumer restitution, according to the release, depending on the value of different vehicles.
Indiana customers who might be eligible for these settlements will be notified by mail, according to the release.
Anicka Slachta
