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Angry diesel owners joining lawsuits against Volkswagen [w/video]

Livid at the prospect of losing thousands of dollars from the value of their cars and performance from their diesel engines, many owners of Volkswagens are headed to court. A law firm with a track record of suing automakers has already filed three class-action lawsuits against the German automaker related to its emissions-cheating scandal and says a fourth one is on the way. The lawsuits, filed by national firm Hagens Berman, accuse Volkswagen Group of America of fraudulent concealment, false advertising, and violations of federal and state laws. Plaintiffs in all 50 states have joined the class-action suits, according to the firm. A spokesperson says there has been "an unprecedented response" since the first lawsuit was filed within hours of an announcement from federal regulators last Friday. The lawsuits accuse Volkswagen Group of America of fraudulent concealment, false advertising, and violations of federal and state laws. Diesel owners paid thousands more for their vehicles instead of their gasoline-powered counterparts because Volkswagen's diesel engines ostensibly offered both torque and fuel economy. Now affected car owners are faced with a double-whammy – the value of their cars has diminished with the news and the purported software fix that brings the cars in emissions compliance will likely lower their performance and gas mileage. "Hundreds of thousands of consumers put their trust in VW when they looked to its 'Clean Diesel' line for an efficient, environmentally conscious diesel option," said Steve Berman, managing partner. "But for years, VW cheated the system. Its TDI line of fast but 'good-for-the-environment' cars seemed too good to be true, and they were." In its latest court filing, Hagens Berman lawyers said that car owners believed their vehicles were in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency standards and that the cars would retain their operating characteristics throughout their useful lives. Another firm, Girard Gibbs, has also filed a lawsuit over the diesel deception. "These Volkswagen vehicles should never have been sold, and certainly should not have spent the past six years on American roads polluting our air," said Eric Gibbs, the lead attorney. "Not only does this kind of fraud harm consumers and the environment, it negatively impacts competition, which is what drives our free-market system.

VW worker killed in robot accident

A 21-year-old worker died from injuries after being struck by the robot that he was installing at Volkswagen's factory in Kassel, Germany. According to The Financial Times, the man was inside the safety cage surrounding the machine when he was hit in the chest and pressed against a metal plate. Emergency crews took him to a local hospital, where he died. That man's name hasn't been released, but he was reportedly a third-party contractor, rather than a direct employee of VW. A second person was also installing the robot when the accident happened. This individual was farther away and wasn't harmed, according to The Financial Times. The local newspaper reported that the incident took place in a part of the plant used for producing electric motors. The local prosecutor has opened an investigation into whether there was any negligence involved. According to Volkswagen, the Kassel factory is one of its main hubs of transmission production and employs around 15,500 people. The motors and batteries for the e-Up and e-Golf are also made there. In 2008, VW built its one-millionth DSG gearbox at the plant. Related Video:

VW App-Connect gets celeb-studded campaign

Volkswagen is hoping that some celebrity faces help get the word out about App-Connect in the German brand's latest models with the MIB II infotainment system. The humorous, new commercial titled Party (above) stars Adam Scott, Michael Pena, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and the three of them are using voice commands and the touchscreen to show off the tech while planning a party. Another 30-second commercial titled Sorry with the three guys is coming along soon, as well, to advertise it even more. App-Connect is part of VW's adoption of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. By supporting all three standards, pretty much every smartphone user can plug into the vehicle's infotainment system. The tech is already available on the 2016 Tiguan and Golf R but is rolling out to all of the German brand's vehicles this model year, except for the Touareg and Eos. VOLKSWAGEN DEMONSTRATES ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY IN NEW CELEBRITY-DRIVEN MARKETING CAMPAIGN Sep 17, 2015 First brand to offer all three major smartphone integration platforms; available on virtually every model and nearly every trim Highlights App-Connect, a new technology which makes compatible smartphone integration seamless through Apple CarPlay®, Google Android Auto™, and MirrorLink® Multimedia Campaign stars Hollywood celebrities Michael Pena, Adam Scott and Christopher Mintz-Plasse Herndon, Va. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the release of a new advertising campaign that highlights the brand's all-new infotainment system, MIB II, and its advanced smartphone integration technology, App-Connect. As part of Volkswagen's available Car-Net® suite of connectivity offerings, App-Connect allows for seamless integration of compatible smartphones across Apple CarPlay®, Google Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®; making it the first automaker to do so. The campaign kicks off with two 30-second television commercials, titled "Party" and "Sorry" starring Adam Scott, Michael Pena and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. In each spot, the celebrities navigate App-Connect by utilizing voice commands, the vehicle's touchscreen, and steering wheel controls.