Volkswagen Violated Consumer Laws In 20 Countries

The paper, which cited Commission sources, further added that among the laws broken in the aforementioned countries two are the Consumer Sales and Guarantees Directive and the Unfair Commercial Practises Directive. It must be noted, both of these are applicable across the EU. And the former proscribes companies from publicizing embellished environmental claims in their sales pitches.

Interestingly European Commission's Industry Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska's invitations to Volkswagen to voluntarily make amends by compensating consumers have failed to receive "an encouraging response". The Commission added that it was the respective national courts' prerogative to establish if the consumers are legally entitled to compensation.

Furthermore, in the interest of fair treatment for consumers, Consumer Commissioner Vera Jourova had written to consumer associations across the EU to collect information. A Commission spokeswoman said, "She will meet relevant representatives in Brussels this week" as she pursues a US-like settlement for Volkswagen's European clients.

What's fascinating here is the fact that earlier this year, Matthias Mueller, CEO, Volkswagen AG, had rejected the request for a U.S.-like settlement in Europe. He had told Welt am Sonntag, a German newspaper, that such a settlement in the continent would not only be costly, but also 'inappropriate'.

Die Welt quoted Jourova as saying, "But it already appears that Volkswagen clearly breached European consumer laws in most member states. That is why I think it is necessary that we get involved to coordinate on a European level." The paper's sources added she will meet consumer protection groups' representatives soon to discuss a plan of action for collecting compensation from the German automaker.