Published
Reading time: 2min – Video: 2min
2 minutes
The Association for the Defense of Consumers UFC-Que Choisir claims the payment of compensation to the owners of vehicles concerned in the Takata defective airbags file. In the sights: the automaker Stellantis, which brings together around fifteen brands, including Citroën and Peugeot.
This text corresponds to part of the transcription of the report above. Click on the video to watch it in full.
A Lyon motorist met in June by France Télévisions, had to be patient to recover his car without his defective airbag. “”I was blocked for three months without a car and they do not offer a replacement. I called several times The siege of Citroën, they simply say that they will send loan vehicles, but unfortunately, there are so many vehicles which are affected by this replacement that there are not enough loan cars for everyone“He says.
Like this driver, thousands of motorists in France had to leave their car to the garage. Each time, vehicles recalled by the manufacturer because it is equipped with Takata airbags, at the origin of 18 deaths in France. So, the UFC-Que Choisir launches a group action against the manufacturer Stellantis in the face of damages suffered by motorists: canceled holidays, rental costs of a replacement vehicle. “”The first compensation asking is an indemnity due to the damage to enjoyment that consumers have suffered, due to the fact that they could not use their vehicle. (Therefore) all costs consumers were forced to support and exhibit“Explains Magali Buttard, head of the legal service of the UFC to choose.
Several collective actions in court are already underway. What amount could the complainants hope to touch? About fifty euros per day of immobilization, according to a lawyer. “”It seems to be negligible, but when you have 100 days of immobilization as it has often been the case, it already makes 5,000 euros. Afterwards, you have the moral damage which will also be substantial, between 5,000 and 10,000 euros. Therefore, the amount of compensation will vary depending on the situation of each“, Enlier Master Christophe Leguevacques.
The case which could last several years, unless the parties find common ground to put an end to the legal proceedings.