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The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, which includes twelve brands including Volkswagen, had to spend provisions of 16.2 billion euros to deal with the scandal of the manufacturer. REUTERS / Hannibal Hanschke

This is one of the biggest industrial scandals of recent years. The Dieselgate is back in the spotlight. Volkswagen will face the first major consumer trial in Germany from Monday 30 September in Braunschweig. Four years after the scandal of diesel engines rigged to circumvent pollution tests broke out, customers are demanding compensation from the automaker. An unusual trial.

Exceptional, this trial is by its magnitude. Behind a single petitioner, the VZBV Consumer Association, is hiding 450,000 people. The first time such a procedure takes place in Germany.

The judges will have to decide about fifty points. But the main question will be whether Volkswagen caused harm and acted unethically. The car group argues that the petition is unfounded because there is no damage in his eyes. In fact, says the company's lawyer, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are still in circulation.

Exceptional, this trial will be by its duration. The hearing is expected to last several years and because of a possible appeal to the Federal Court, the final decision may not be made before 2023 and even if the judgment is unfavorable to Volkswagen, it will not result directly in refund. Each registered consumer will then have to assert his rights individually. It may take more than a year.

To know if the judgment and the eventual invoice are exceptional, it will therefore be necessary to wait. In any case, this case has already cost dear to Volkswagen : more than 30 billion euros disbursed for the most part in the United States.

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