The emissions cheating scandal dubbed “Dieselgate’ broke back in late 2015. It was one of the largest automotive scandals and coverups ever perpetrated. It shows no sign of slowing down since it was recently discovered that, even though the devices may have been fixed, vehicles might still be emitting more noxious fumes than thought. As part of the compensation agreement, the company agreed to either fix or buy back affected vehicles. The Drive reports on just where all those vehicles are going.
Volkswagen has been hit with a loss of over $25 billion in fines paid to various governments in the emissions cheating scandal. Part of that money – $7 billion to be exact – has been spent in buying back vehicles involved in the scandal.
In the agreement to compensate owners, those with affected vehicles could choose between three options – have Volkswagen fix affected vehicles and remove emissions cheating software and hardware. They could end the contract on a leased vehicle without penalty. They could also sell the vehicles back to Volkswagen. Many owners chose the third option.
When it comes to space to store these cars, it turns out that Volkswagen is finding space wherever they can. The company has 37 spaces from parking lots to unused stadiums in order to store the cars, which are gathering dust.
The company has bought back the majority of the affected vehicles, some 335,000 out of 475,000 units. Of those, 28,000 were destroyed and 13,000 have been sold to new owners after passing Environmental Protection Agency inspections.
A spokesperson for the company said that the affected vehicles are being routinely maintained. Once regulators have approved Volkswagen’s next proposed moves, the company may repair, sell, destroy, or export the vehicles.
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