VW settles Canada drivers' class action over emissions

Canadian drivers of Volkswagen vehicles whose diesel engines were equipped with devices to cheat emissions tests will share up to Can$2.1 billion in a lawsuit settlement announced Monday.

The details of the agreement, which must still be approved by a court, were revealed by Canada's Competition Bureau in a statement.

"One of the largest consumer settlements in Canadian history" will allow approximately 105,000 drivers to return their vehicles to VW for a refund, trade them in or have them repaired.

The auto maker's luxury Audi and Porsche brands are also included in the settlement. Models with the affected 2.0 liter diesel engines include the Jetta, A3 and Cayenne.

Canadian court filings note that owners paid a premium for diesel-powered vehicles compared with gasoline-powered models.

After the scandal broke worldwide, the value of their vehicles plunged and scheduling repairs caused disruptions for owners.

The Competition Bureau became involved, it said, after concluding "that false or misleading environmental marketing claims were used to promote certain vehicles with 2.0 liter diesel engines."

Neither the company nor lawyers for the plaintiffs were immediately available to comment.

The settlement does not resolve the Competition Bureau's ongoing inquiry into VW vehicles equipped with 3.0 liter diesel engines.

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