Volkswagen’s appeal on diesel emissions fine dismissed by High Court
On Friday, the Full Federal Court dismissed an appeal made by Volkswagen AG against the $125 million penalty handed down to them in December 2019.
The penalty, in response to Volkswagens breach of Australian diesel emissions law was upheld, the Full Court concluding that the penalty ‘was not excessive, let alone manifestly excessive.’
What was the largest ever sanction handed out for a breach of Australian Consumer Law, was in response to Volkswagen’s misrepresentations about its compliance with Australian diesel emissions standards, in regards to more than 57,000 diesel vehicles imported between 2011 and 2015.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chair, Rod Sims said: “$125 million is the highest penalty ever handed down for breaches of Australian Consumer Law. It’s about five times the previous highest penalty, and that reflected just how egregious Volkswagen’s conduct was.”
