M*********n 发帖数: 4839 | 1 WASHINGTON — The Justice Department sued Volkswagen on Monday over
emissions-cheating software found in nearly 600,000 vehicles sold in the
United States.
The civil complaint against the German automaker, filed on behalf of the
Environmental Protection Agency in U.S. District Court in Detroit, alleges
the company illegally installed software designed to make its diesel engines
pass federal emissions standards while undergoing laboratory testing. The
vehicles then switched off those measures to boost performance in real-world
driving conditions, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions up to 40 times
greater than federal environmental standards.
"Car manufacturers that fail to properly certify their cars and that defeat
emission control systems breach the public trust, endanger public health and
disadvantage competitors," said John C. Cruden, the assistant attorney
general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources
Division.
"The United States will pursue all appropriate remedies against Volkswagen
to redress the violations of our nation's clean air laws alleged in the
complaint," he said.
There was no immediate response to messages seeking comment Monday from
Volkswagen's U.S. headquarters.
The company first admitted in September that the cheating software was
included in its diesel cars and SUVs sold since the 2009 model year. The
company is negotiating a massive mandatory recall with U.S. regulators and
potentially faces more than $18 billion in fines for violations of the
federal Clean Air Act.
The company could also still face separate criminal charges, while a raft of
private class-action lawsuits filed by angry VW owners are pending.
"With today's filing, we take an important step to protect public health by
seeking to hold Volkswagen accountable for any unlawful air pollution,
setting us on a path to resolution," said Assistant Administrator Cynthia
Giles for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "So far,
recall discussions with the company have not produced an acceptable way
forward. These discussions will continue in parallel with the federal court
action." |
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