Australia: ACCC gets tough with Audi ‘for breaking rules’

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has stepped up pressure against Volkswagen, filing a second legal action against the German carmaker’s subsidiary Audi, alleging it also deceived consumers in using “defeat software” to sidestep pollution rules.

The ACCC claims Audi breaches of Australian consumer laws were “deliberate or reckless” and “consciously courted the risk of misleading consumers”, the statement of claim alleges.

The ACCC’s decision to pursue Audi in the Federal Court comes after the watchdog began legal proceedings against Volkswagen in August. Law firm Maurice Blackburn has launched a separate class action in relation to the emissions scandal.

The regulator’s latest claim ­relates to the supply of 12,368 ­allegedly affected Audi cars to Australian consumers between 2011 and 2015, while the initial case against parent Volkswagen related to more than 57,000 vehicles sold across the same period.

“We allege the installation of software which allows the vehicle to meet testing standards but then causes the vehicles to operate differently on the road, and associated representations, breach the Australian Consumer Law,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

Full Content: Australasian Lawyer

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