ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the regulator was seeking talks with Audi which conceded its local models were fitted with software created to deceive overseas pollution regulators.
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“Already we have been contacted by hundreds of consumers in Australia expressing concerns that their cars – including VW, Audi and Skoda brands – have been impacted by this incident and inquiring about legal action”, Mr Scattini said.
So-called “defeat devices” were specifically prohibited by Australian Consumer Law and claims on environmental benefits or fuel efficiency had to be able to be substantiated, he said.
The company admitted last month that is used “defeat device” software to beat emission tests in labs on cars sold in the US.
“A tricky question is to how many breaches may be involved, but the penalties be quite considerable”.
Sims told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that he was “frustrated” with Volkswagen Group, indicating that if they were not forthcoming with information soon, the ACCC would be forced to intervene.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has apparently been flooded with public interest in regards to Volkswagen’s recent TDI diesel engine scandal.
The ACCC said it would seek marketing materials from Volkswagen and would not hesitate to take action if consumers were exposed to false, misleading or deceptive representations.
“We usually like to do these things voluntarily”, he said, “but if we don’t get a few answers soon we might well be making compulsory requests”.
Volkswagen’s Australian subsidiary has been unable to respond to calls from the government to provide “urgent clarification” on whether its cars sold locally have been caught up in the biggest scandal of the carmaker’s 78-year history.
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Possible behavior applied from the ACCC may include court-imposed countries of about $1 dollar.millions per break of one’s buyer legislation and necessary deals being forklift on Volkswagen so it comply with hometown guidelines.
