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Democratic Committee Leaders Request Info on Reported Delayed Buybacks of VW Vehicles

January 31, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Democratic leaders today requested information from Volkswagen (VW) President and CEO Hinrich Woebcken on recent reports of delays in the company's efforts to buy back nearly 400,000 vehicles as part of its October settlements for violating the Clean Air Act. Volkswagen knowingly misled consumers and put public health at risk by installing software in select diesel vehicles that effectively tricked emissions tests, which is a violation of the Clean Air Act. As part of its settlement, VW agreed to buy back the defective vehicles.

Full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO), Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) are requesting that Volkswagen brief the Committee as soon as possible on "the status of the buyback program, any issues it may be having, and if problems exist, what efforts VW will take to address them."

"Consumers were intentionally deceived and misled by VW, and the company now has an obligation to fulfill the promises it made to the people who purchased these vehicles by eliminating any unnecessary red tape," write the members. "We are deeply concerned by reported delays in the buyback program, and want assurances from the company that it is taking action to prevent further delays in the future."

To read the letter to Volkswagen, click here.