Automobile supplier Robert Bosch concealed using Volkswagen AG’s secret defeat device software that it helped design and demanded in 2008 that the German automaker supply legal security in its use, lawyers for American owners accused in a court filing.
The filing on Friday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco broadens on claims complainants made by lawyers in August, when they declared Bosch was a understanding and “active participant” in Volkswagen’s decade-long scheme to avert U.S. anti-pollution laws. Bosch lawyers stated last month those claims were “wild and unfounded”.
Volkswagen has confessed that it set up improper software that deactivated pollution controls over 11 million diesel cars offered around the world and has consented to invest as much as $16.5 billion in the United States to attend to emissions concerns, including compensating owners of 475,000 2.0-liter diesel automobiles.
The new filing provides the most breakdown of claims against Bosch. Attorneys are likewise seeking redress for owners from Bosch.
The brand-new court filing consists of portions of the accusations that were initially redacted in August by the complainants under court guidelines and says Bosch “did not disclose its understanding of the prohibited defeat device in any … communications with U.S. regulators”.
The filing said Bosch required in 2008 that Volkswagen indemnify it over making use of the software developed by the German automobile provider, mentioning a June 2008 e-mail from Bosch to Volkswagen.
The email required “Volkswagen indemnify Bosch for any legal direct exposure arising from deal with the defeat device,” per lawsuit.
The attorneys said Volkswagen apparently chose not to consent to Bosch’s demand but stated they are still investigating.
A U.S. Bosch spokesperson and Volkswagen did not react to a request for remark late Tuesday.
The filing likewise implicates Bosch Chief Executive Officer Volkmar Denner of understanding about making use of the defeat device. It accuses that in May 2014 Denner took part in a meeting with previous Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn that reveals both knew the prohibited usage of the defeat gadgets at least by May 2014.
Winterkorn resigned in September last year. Bosch has not been charged with any misbehavior.
