Bosch made its name producing magnetos for early auto ignition systems.
German mega-supplier Robert Bosch has entered a dieselgate settlement agreement with civil claimants in the U.S. that ends some of the civil law proceedings pending about Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche diesel vehicles with 2- and 3-liter engines.
The Plea resolves claims of consumers and dealers of used vehicles against Bosch, its affiliates, employees, and directors on 2009 -2015 Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche dirty diesels. Bosch will pay $327.5 million (~€304 million).
The plea bargain – and it looks like a real bargain to AutoInformed – requires the approval of Judge Charles R. Breyer, who conducts the nationwide multi-district proceedings in which numerous civil law actions have been combined. In a hearing scheduled for 14 February 2017, the Court will consider preliminary approval of the settlement agreement. The class members will then be informed of their rights and options. It is proposed that the Court considers final approval of the settlement agreement in early May.
“Upon careful consideration of all relevant aspects, we have in this case decided to enter a settlement agreement, said Dr. Volkmar Denner, Chairman of the Management Board of Robert Bosch GmbH about dieselgate. “We wish to devote our attention and our resources to the transition in mobility and in other areas of activity.”
The dieselgate plea deal concerns only civil law claims. Since allegations have first been made public, Bosch is facing other civil and criminal law proceedings in Germany and in other countries.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
