Final answer:
The car company that paid over a billion dollars to avoid prosecution was Volkswagen AG, in relation to the 2015 emissions scandal known as 'Dieselgate'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The car company that avoided prosecution by paying a fine of over a billion dollars was Volkswagen AG. This fine was part of a settlement relating to the emissions scandal that emerged in 2015, where Volkswagen was found to have installed software in diesel vehicles that could manipulate emissions tests. This scandal is commonly referred to as 'Dieselgate'.
Volkswagen's actions were a violation of environmental laws and regulations, which led to significant legal repercussions. This billion-dollar payment was aimed at resolving the criminal and civil penalties associated with the scandal in the United States.
The company also had to work on fixing the affected vehicles to comply with environmental standards and prevent further pollution, which contributed to the overall cost.