Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) is entering into a collaboration with Dieselgate.com. The parties want to make it easier for entrepreneurs to file a damage claim with car manufacturers in view of the diesel fraud scandal.
The diesel fraud scandal revolves around the manipulation of emissions from diesel vehicles. As a result, the vehicles emit more in practice than on paper. Several manufacturers used this method, causing a lot of controversy in recent years. The manipulation took place using built-in software.
Earlier damage claims for individuals
Individuals could previously join claim action against such manufacturers. An example is an earlier actions of foundation VGDES in cooperation with the Consumers' Association. In this case, the court in The Hague earlier ruled that owners of so-called 'shoemaking diesels' are entitled to damages of 3,000 euros. This summer, it already emerged that owners of second-hand diesel cars may also be entitled to such compensation.
Incidentally, the damages are not yet final; Volkswagen has appealed the ruling in both cases.
Submit damage claim as a business user
So now business users of shovel diesels can also file for damages. TLN is entering into a cooperation with Dieselgate.com for this purpose. In this way, they want to simplify filing a claim for entrepreneurs. TLN expects entrepreneurs to receive compensation of at least 3,000 euros per newly purchased affected diesel (company) car. Dieselgate.com talks about compensation of 1,500 to 6,000 euros.
Entrepreneurs can also claim damages if they bought their diesel vehicles second-hand or leased them. TLN and Dieselgate.com are submitting the claims in the ongoing collective proceedings against car manufacturers. Diesel vehicles by Mercedes, Renault, Peugeot, Fiat and Volkswagen from the 2009 to 2020 construction period, among others, are covered by the collective action.
Reduced trade-in value and higher consumption costs
TLN calls the cooperation important as the diesel fraud scandal also affects a substantial number of commercial vehicles. Entrepreneurs experience damage through reduced trade-in value and higher consumption costs than previously suggested, among other things. In addition, their diesel vehicles cause more damage to the environment than stated by the manufacturer.
The organisation points out that entrepreneurs should register on the platform in good time. "Especially when it comes to vehicles from 2009 onwards, time is pressing to retrieve and secure as much relevant vehicle information as possible. No action often means unfortunately no compensation," TLN writes on its website.
Arco Krijgsman, one of the initiators of Dieselgate.com: 'We relieve companies that report via the platform from a to z. The urgency lies in searching and securing all vehicle information, much of which is lost over the years. And in verifying whether the type of vehicle also contains or has contained sham software. We then bring the claims to the relevant collective proceedings.'
Which brands apply to?
Currently, the following car manufacturers are covered by ongoing proceedings in which TLN and Dieselgate.com want to bring claims from entrepreneurs:
- Mercedes (including Sprinter, Citan, Vito, A-, B-, C-, E-Classes)
- Renault (including Master, Kangoo)
- Peugeot (including Partner, Boxer, Expert)
- Fiat (including Ducato, Doblo, Scudo, Talento)
- Volkswagen (Transporter, Caddy, Crafter)
- Audi
- Skoda
- SEAT
- Alfa Romeo
- Jeep
- Dacia
- Opel (including Vivaro)
- Citroen
- DS
TLN does not rule out that in time, proceedings will also be initiated regarding additional car brands. The scheme in cooperation with TLN only applies to companies that had more than five diesel (company) cars in their name. If this number was less than five, entrepreneurs can find more information here.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Arek Socha via Pixabay
