Mealey's (October 27, 2016, 9:46 AM EDT) -- SAN FRANCISCO — A California federal judge on Oct. 18 granted preliminary approval of a settlement of a class action against Volkswagen Group of America Inc. that would create a $1.21 billion settlement fund and provide additional benefits to all 652 VW franchise dealers in the United States that suffered as a result of the diesel emissions cheating scandal (In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2672; Napleton Orlando Imports LLC, et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., et al., No. 3:16cv2086, N.D. Calif.)....