Lawyers warn that the case could eventually involve up to 1.8 million UK drivers across 14 brands, potentially making it the largest consumer class action in British legal history.
A decade after Volkswagen’s emissions scandal shook the global auto industry, five of the world’s largest carmakers—Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Renault, Nissan, and Peugeot/Citroën—are now facing a landmark High Court trial in London that could permanently alter drivers’ perception of “clean diesel.”
The long-running “dieselgate” class action, which opened this week, brings together around 850,000 motorists who claim they were misled about the environmental performance of their vehicles.
Lawyers say the case could eventually expand to include as many as 1.8 million UK drivers across 14 brands, potentially making it the largest consumer class action in British history.
At the heart of the case are allegations that the manufacturers installed “defeat devices”—software designed to detect when a vehicle was undergoing official emissions testing and temporarily reduce pollution output to meet EU standards.
Outside testing conditions, however, the vehicles allegedly reverted to normal performance, emitting nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter far above legal limits.
All five companies have denied wrongdoing. Mercedes-Benz said its systems were “legally and technically justified,” while Renault and Stellantis insisted their vehicles complied with all European emissions regulations when sold.
Ford dismissed the lawsuit as “without merit,” and Nissan reiterated its “commitment to regulatory compliance in every market.”
The manufacturers are expected to argue that the software in question was intended to protect engines from damage rather than manipulate test results—a technical distinction that could prove crucial to the case’s outcome.
The High Court proceedings, expected to run for three months, will focus on a small sample of diesel vehicles produced by the five companies.
A judgment is not expected until mid-2026.
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U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Russian strike on a farm warehouse in Pryluky, north-central Ukraine, has killed at least three people, local police said. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said an attack on a train near the Polish border was an attempt to intimidate Ukraine's allies.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 14 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in the world of artificial intelligence (AI).
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote launched Africa's biggest-ever share sale on Monday, opening the oil refinery that has remade the country's fuel market to public ownership for the first time.
Volkswagen’s supervisory board has approved a major overhaul aimed at cutting 100,000 jobs by 2030 as the German carmaker battles weaker sales, falling profits and intensifying global competition.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on American companies to expand their presence in China and pledged that Beijing would address their "reasonable concerns," as China looks to stabilise trade ties with Washington ahead of President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the U.S. later this month
Apple is entering a new era as Tim Cook steps down as chief executive after 15 years at the helm, handing the technology giant's leadership to longtime executive John Ternus.
Volkswagen is heading towards a decisive showdown with labour representatives as Germany's largest carmaker weighs sweeping restructuring measures that could lead to factory closures and tens of thousands of job losses.
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