A landmark legal action against Volkswagen has begun, with hundreds of thousands of German consumers seeking compensation from the car maker over emissions test cheating. Volkswagen has already paid out more than US$ 32.7 billion around the world in fines, compensation and legal costs since the scandal first came to light in September 2015. The company was found to have installed software that lowered harmful emissions of nitrogen compounds under test conditions. The case involves about 470,000 owners of diesel-powered cars sold after 1 November 2008 by the Volkswagen Group. The cars affected included vehicles under the Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda brands. (The Guardian)