American buyers of polluting Volkswagen vehicles received over $9.8 billion in settlements, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) informed on Monday .
Volkswagen agreed to buy back or repair over 550,000 polluting diesel U.S. vehicles following its admission in 2015 that it used secret software to evade emissions tests.
The FTC in its final report on the settlements said over 86% of consumers completing claims selected to return their car through a buyback or early lease termination instead of getting a repair.
Volkswagen paid over $9.5 billion to U.S. consumers, while VW diesel supplier Robert Bosch has paid over $300 million to U.S. consumers.
The majority of the vehicles covered were 2.0-liter diesel vehicles. German automaker agreed to offer consumers who leased the 475,000 2.0-liter vehicles between $5,100 and $10,000 in compensation, together with the estimated value of the vehicle.
The scandal caused a global backlash against diesel vehicles that it has costed the automaker about 30 billion euros ($33.3 billion) in fines, penalties, vehicle buyback costs, and other expenses.
The automaker in 2017 pleaded guilty to fraud, obstruction of justice and falsifying statements as part of a $4.3 billion settlement reached with the U.S. Justice Department.
Last month, a U.S. appeals court ruled VW cannot escape possible financial penalties emerging from lawsuits filed by two counties that could amount to a “staggering” additional liability. The automaker pledged to seek further review by the 9th Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court if required, saying the ruling conflicts with the findings of other courts.
