Volkswagen, Oklahoma reach settlement over diesel scandal

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The State of Oklahoma and Volkswagen have reached a settlement in the state's lawsuit against the automaker for false and deceptive advertising.

In 2015, it was revealed that VW had installed software in diesel vehicles to cheat on lab emissions tests to get their vehicles to meet standards. When the emissions systems were deactivated the vehicle would emit 40 times the amount of nitrogen oxide allowed in the United States. Oklahoma Attorney General says that the state filed a suit against the automaker to uphold consumer protection laws.

“VW purposefully misled consumers in one of the most egregious cases of false advertising the automobile industry has ever seen,” Hunter said. “The company’s fraudulent marketing practices deceived thousands of Oklahomans who believed they were buying a vehicle that was good for the environment. Our lawsuit was about holding the company accountable for these practices.”

The state and VW reached an $8.5 million settlement. The money will go towards upholding consumer protection laws. Hunter says this will come through education and programs to help residents prevent and recover from fraud.