Many owners of Volkswagen products with 2.0-liter TDI engines have already decided that they?re on board with the mammoth proposed settlement for a class-action lawsuit filed against VW on behalf of owners. More than 300,000 have signed up, even though details are still pending approval by the court and a fix plan remains under scrutiny.
A memorandum filed last week by Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, the legal firm representing owners, argued in support of a motion for final approval?ahead of a scheduled October 18 U.S District Court hearing in San Francisco?and revealed some staggering numbers. As of last week, more than 311,000 owners have gone to the website, entered a VIN, and registered to receive settlement benefits. That represents almost 65 percent of the pool of 475,000 eligible vehicles. Owners who opt to accept the deal will receive restitution money and then can opt to receive either a set buyback amount for their vehicle or have a free fix applied to bring the vehicle closer to emissions compliance. It?s surprising that so many owners have stepped up so soon, when there?s no looming deadline. The visibility of the Volkswagen diesel-emissions scandal has spread far beyond vehicle shoppers and car enthusiasts. The law firm called the level of response ?a landslide referendum in favor of settlement approval, by any standard.?
Volkswagen of American spokesperson Jeannine Ginivan confirmed that the numbers in the memorandum are accurate and called them R...