Consumer watchdog tackles Volkswagen in court over emissions claims

September 1, 2016 11:09

The consumer watchdog has launched action in the Federal Court against Volkswagen over its ‘defeat software’ which allowed the car maker to make false claims about the emissions of its cars.

The move by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission comes a year after Volkswagen revealed it had used the software to beat emissions tests around the world.

However, Volkswagen in Australia has said the action will be of no practical benefit to consumers with a voluntary recall soon to take place where software solutions to the issue will be installed.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the commission was taking the action because it believed the use of the software amounted to false and misleading conduct by both Volkswagen in Germany and Volkswagen’s Australian subsidiary.

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Simon Canning

Simon Canning was Mumbrella's marketing and advertising editor from 2015-2017. In a career spanning journalism and communications over more than 30 years Simon has become one of Australia’s most respected analysts and commentators on the advertising, marketing and media industries. A regular commentator on radio and TV, Simon has also worked in media in the US and UK .

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