German Highest Court Upholds Lower Court's Decision on Diesel Emissions Scandal Case
The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe has dismissed a constitutional complaint lodged by Mercedes-Benz against a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) in the ongoing diesel emissions scandal. In a landmark decision made in June 2023, the BGH established that car buyers could claim damages, regardless of any negligence on their part, paving the way for several compensation claims.
Mercedes-Benz had disputed the ruling's implications for the manufacturer, but the Constitutional Court deemed the complaint inadmissible. The court found no breach of fundamental rights in this specific case.
The basis for the complaint stemmed from a case initially handled by the BGH, which was then remanded to the Higher Regional Court in Stuttgart. However, the Stuttgart court did not award damages to the car buyer due to the absence of any verifiable loss.
As the diesel emissions scandal continues to unfold, Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, has been under investigation in both Germany and the United States[1]. The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, along with related legal news sources, may provide updates on this matter. For those seeking information on a specific case involving the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, checking legal or news outlets specializing in German court proceedings would be advisable[2].
[1] U.S. Department of Justice, "Volkswagen Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $4.3 Billion in Criminal Fine and Civil Settlement," Press Release, June 28, 2017, accessed July 2, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/volkswagen-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-43-billion-criminal-fine-and-civil-settlement.[2] European Commission, "Commission initiates formal antitrust proceedings against Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi and Michelin for participating in a suspected cartel," Press Release, November 28, 2017, accessed July 2, 2023, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_17_6132.
- Amidst the ongoing diesel emissions scandal, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe has ruled that car buyers can claim damages, regardless of any negligence on their part, potentially setting a precedent for several compensation claims.
- The dismissal of Mercedes-Benz's constitutional complaint against the Federal Court of Justice's (BGH) ruling has been upheld, with the Constitutional Court deeming it inadmissible.
- In a related development, the policy-and-legislation sector and politics are closely monitoring the progress of the diesel emissions scandal, with Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, under investigation in both Germany and the United States.
- As the legal proceedings against Daimler AG continue, updates on this matter can be found in the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, legal news sources, or specialized outlets focusing on German court proceedings.
