Brussels, 04/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - During an exchange with the European press discussing the call launched by the Commissioner for Industry, Elzbieta Bienkowska, for equal treatment of US and European consumers who have been victims of the tampered diesel engine scandal (see EUROPE 11584), the Commission explained on Monday 4 July that Volkswagen should do what is necessary to compensate European consumers adequately.
Lucia Caudet, the Commission spokesperson explained "According to a recommendation from the Commission in 2013, member states must have systems available that allow consumers to carry out collective redress. The Commission is requesting adequate compensation for European consumers. It is up to Volkswagen to see what can apply in this respect!" According to the spokesperson, "The majority of member states have set up systems" to facilitate collective redress.
The European Consumers Office (BEUC) said that it was unacceptable that Volkswagen was prepared to compensate US but not European consumers. The BEUC has now announced that it would be taking action together with member organisations to develop group litigation at national, followed by European levels (see EUROPE 11583).
In reply to a journalist who asked him how Volkswagen would provide European consumers with equivalent compensation to that planned for US consumers, without risking the bankruptcy mentioned by the Volkswagen CEO, Mathias Müller, the spokesperson repeated, "I said adequate compensation". With respect to the question why the Commission has not clearly told Volkswagen what it should do, given that there had been an infringement to European rules, the reason for it is very simple. The spokesperson explained "If European law on vehicle approval has been infringed, member states should take action to impose penalties on the company concerned. Consumers have a right to compensation because their car has lost value or has suffered damage. It is up to the national courts, on a case-by-case basis, to assess the level of damages". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)