London High Court dismisses lawsuit against car maker over illegal emissions

The London High Court delivered a landmark ruling, dismissing the lawsuit against five major automakers—Ford, Mercedes, Nissan, Renault, and Citroën—on the basis that they had not used illicit diesel‑emission cheating devices. However, the court also permitted a second trial on compensation matters related to certain specific strategies.

The lawsuit stems from the diesel‑emission scandal that has plagued the European automotive industry in recent years, in which several manufacturers were accused of employing cheating devices to lower emission figures and meet regulatory standards. These devices can reduce a vehicle’s emissions during testing, while in real‑world use the emissions may far exceed the limits set by law. Consequently, consumers and environmental groups in multiple European countries brought suits against the implicated automakers, demanding compensation and penalties.

The ruling represents a significant victory for the automakers, as the court found that they had not used prohibited diesel‑emission cheating devices. Nevertheless,