VW customers want compensation: Survey
Beleaguered auto giant Volkswagen is facing calls to compensate drivers affected by the diesel emissions scandal.
An online survey of more than 2,000 VW diesel owners by U.K. consumer watchdog Which? found that nine in 10 thought that those affected by the emissions scandal should receive compensation.
The German auto giant has been accused by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of cheating on air pollution tests.
This morning Paul Willis, managing director for Volkswagen Group U.K., told British lawmakers that the company's engineers were looking to find a way to fix the brand's British models that contain software that can rig diesel emissions, according to Reuters.
"I don't know fully what the technical fix is, that's what we are working with the engineers (on)," Willis said.
Earlier this week Willis also gave evidence to the Commons Transport Committee, and would not confirm if VW would compensate customers. Around 1.2 million VW cars in the U.K. are affected, according to the company.
The survey from Which? found that 96 percent of VW owners thought that fuel efficiency was an "important factor" when they were buying their car. Furthermore, more than half of drivers who could be affected said that they would be put off buying a VW diesel car in the future.
"Many VW owners tell us they decided to buy their car based on its efficiency and low environmental impact, so it's outrageous that VW aren't being clear with their customers about how and when they will be compensated," Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which?, said in a news release.
"Volkswagen UK must set out an urgent timetable for redress to the owners of the affected vehicles," Lloyd added. "We also need assurances from the Government that it is putting in place changes to prevent anything like this happening again."
Which? is calling on all car manufacturers to state if "their emissions tests have been manipulated."