VW's diesel settlement in US clears only one of many hurdles

New York

VOLKSWAGEN solved one big problem stemming from its diesel emissions deception, agreeing on Tuesday to pay up to US$14.7 billion to settle claims in the United States.

But the final financial toll - once the company deals with a long list of fines, lawsuits and criminal investigations around the world - may well be far higher. The continuing fallout could leave Volkswagen vulnerable to billions of dollars more in expenses at a time when profit is already under pressure.