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Volvo Cars guilty of manslaughter Volvo Cars guilty of manslaughter
(1 day later)
Swedish carmaker Volvo has been found guilty of manslaughter after a French court ruled that faulty brakes were to blame for a fatal car crash in France.Swedish carmaker Volvo has been found guilty of manslaughter after a French court ruled that faulty brakes were to blame for a fatal car crash in France.
The driver, Catherine Kohtz, lost control of her Volvo 850 TDI vehicle and killed two children in 1999.The driver, Catherine Kohtz, lost control of her Volvo 850 TDI vehicle and killed two children in 1999.
Ms Kohtz received a six-month suspended jail term, a 300-euro ($446; £224) fine. Her licence was also suspended for a year.Ms Kohtz received a six-month suspended jail term, a 300-euro ($446; £224) fine. Her licence was also suspended for a year.
Volvo was fined 200,000 euros, though it has denied the car was faulty.Volvo was fined 200,000 euros, though it has denied the car was faulty.
The accident occurred in June 1999, in the eastern French town of Wasselonne.The accident occurred in June 1999, in the eastern French town of Wasselonne.
"This is a tragic incident for everyone involved," a company spokesman said."This is a tragic incident for everyone involved," a company spokesman said.
"There was no problem with the brakes.""There was no problem with the brakes."
Volvo's lawyers rejected that the accident was the result of a mechanical defect and are expected to appeal the ruling. Volvo's lawyers rejected that the accident was the result of a mechanical defect and are expected to appeal against the ruling.
The car manufacturer, based in Gothenburg, is owned by US car giant Ford, which bought it in 1999.The car manufacturer, based in Gothenburg, is owned by US car giant Ford, which bought it in 1999.