Trial Opens in Investor Lawsuits Against VW

Investors are seeking almost $10.4 billion, saying Volkswagen didn't give them the information they needed to decide what to do with their shares before the scandal became public.

Judges Nicolai Stephan, Christian Jaede and Friedrich Hoffmann, from left, arrive for the opening of a lawsuit against Volkswagen on compensation for the losses of shareholders caused by the Diesel scandal at the higher regional court in Braunschweig, northern Germany, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018.
Judges Nicolai Stephan, Christian Jaede and Friedrich Hoffmann, from left, arrive for the opening of a lawsuit against Volkswagen on compensation for the losses of shareholders caused by the Diesel scandal at the higher regional court in Braunschweig, northern Germany, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018.
Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Trial proceedings have begun against Volkswagen on behalf of investors alleging the company did not give them timely notice of its scandal over cars rigged to cheat on diesel emissions tests.

Investors are seeking almost 9 billion euros ($10.4 billion), saying Volkswagen didn't give them the information they needed to decide what to do with their shares before the scandal became public. The U.S. Environmental Protection agency accused Volkswagen in September 2015 of manipulating diesel emissions, sending the shares sharply lower.

The case opening Monday in front of the higher regional court in Braunschweig involves claims from investors that will serve as a model for further cases, the dpa news agency reported.

The company says it met its duty to inform investors in time.

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