Ten years of Dieselgate: Braunschweig court struggles for justice!

Ten years of Dieselgate: Braunschweig court struggles for justice!

On September 18, 2015, the first public allegations against Volkswagen by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laid the foundation for one of the biggest scandals in automotive history. Today, exactly ten years later, the VW Group can look back on a turbulent decade that was marked by legal disputes, financial losses and an enormous loss of image. Tagesschau reports that over 43,000 claims for damages from VW customers have already been received by the Braunschweig Regional Court, which are directed against the illegally used emissions control software.

Court spokesman Benedikt Eicke describes the situation as a “challenge on all levels”. While the last cases in Braunschweig are expected to be concluded this year, the civil lawsuits in other courts are still dragging on. For VW, the legal investigation of the diesel fraud remains a lengthy undertaking; The payment of over 33 billion euros in fines and compensation shows the financial dimensions of the scandal. BR.de added that around 11 million vehicles worldwide are affected by the manipulative emissions levels, including 2.5 million in Germany.

Consequences for Volkswagen and the industry

The early recall of vehicles by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) led to the rapid revelation of the scandal and put VW in a precarious position. The then CEO Martin Winterkorn had to vacate his post, and other executives, such as Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, also faced criminal consequences. Several ex-managers have been convicted in recent months, including the former head of diesel engine development, who was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, while Stadler escaped with a suspended sentence. BR.de refers that Winterkorn has not yet had to appear in court because health reasons were cited.

The outcome of the scandal also affected the entire German auto industry. There is talk of a nine and a half percent decline in the share of diesel vehicles among new registrations in Germany - from almost 50% in 2015 to just 13% in August 2025. This has put the industry and its political supporters, including the federal government, under pressure, which has often led to harsh criticism of the auto industry from Angela Merkel.

Current developments and outlook

In addition to the legal disputes, VW has made great efforts to improve its image. The current CEO Oliver Blume emphasizes that the company has developed further and that innovations in the corporate culture are noticeable. Works council representatives report better team spirit and more open decision-making processes. Nevertheless, critical voices remain loud, complaining that the focus on profit maximization continues to dominate. Tagesschau highlights that the legal processing of the diesel scandal could take years.

Recalls for the VW, Audi, Seat, Škoda and Porsche brands will continue to be processed for affected customers. According to ADAC, not only older vehicles but also newer models are affected by unacceptable exhaust technology; The complexity of the legal situations is further increased given the large number of vehicle types affected. ADAC informed affected owners about their rights and possible compensation.

An outlook shows that the road to fully dealing with the scandal will still be long, both for Volkswagen and for those affected. Despite all the challenges, for many people it is important to keep their heads up and overcome the legal hurdles!