Volkswagen will pay US owners of diesel cars that fail to meet emissions standards up to 7,000 dollars each as part of a 10-billion-dollar settlement deal, according to news reports Thursday, dpa reported. The proposal would require Volkswagen to pay cash to people who purchased VW diesel cars that were fitted with software that made it appear they complied with US emissions standards when they in fact did not VW will provide payments between 1,000 dollars and 7,000 dollars, depending on the vehicle's age and other factors, according to the Detroit News and Bloomberg News, quoting unidentified sources familiar with the negotiations. Volkswagen had no comment on the reports. The settlement, which would also fund a grant programme to offset air pollution, is to be submitted to a federal judge next week. Its total value is about 10 billion dollars, according to the reports. If approved by the judge, the settlement would resolve hundreds of civil cases pending in US courts against the German carmaker. VW has admitted that it rigged cars to pass US Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emission tests. Negotiations could continue until Tuesday when VW and the other parties in the case are scheduled to present a settlement agreement to a judge in California.
