Volkswagen pleads guilty in US over diesel emissions scandal

By Euronews

Published on 10/03/2017 - 19:18

Volkswagen has pleaded guilty in the US to criminal conduct over its diesel emissions scandal, as part of a $4.

Volkswagen has pleaded guilty in the US to criminal conduct over its diesel emissions scandal, as part of a $4.3 billion (4.02 billion euros) settlement.

The German carmaker admitted fraud, obstructing justice and falsifying statements. Describing it as a “very, very, very serious crime”, the judge in Detroit set a date for sentencing next month.

In September 2015 Volkswagen was revealed to have intentionally cheated on emissions tests for at least six years. It admitted installing secret software which enabled vehicles to pollute at up to 40 times legal levels.

Under the plea agreement VW agreed to widespread reforms and new independent checks by an independent monitor.

In all Volkswagen has agreed to spend up to 25 billion dollars in the US to address claims, and has offered to buy back about half a million polluting vehicles.