Volkswagen Australia has reportedly been accused of pressuring owners of its dirty diesel cars to sign waivers and providing them with false information, according to documents that were filed in a Federal Court case management hearing earlier today. Lawyers that were representing close to 100,000 owners of Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi cars in Australia presented the court with some legal documents detailing numerous instances of "bullying tactics" and "providing inaccurate information."
Volkswagen Faces Legal Charges
Law firm Maurice Blackburn, which has taken up the open class action on behalf of the local Volkswagen owners, claims that the auto company asked customers to sign waiver documents that were purporting to waive all their legal rights, along with wrongfully telling customers that their vehicles will not be covered by any manufacturer warranty if they refuse the voluntary repair work to their diesel cars, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.
Volkswagen's Explanation
Volkswagen Australia has also insisted that the company has not been asking owners to waive any rights, and the recalls have already been issued in consultation with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). In a statement issued to News Corp Australia, Volkswagen said that the recall is "strongly recommended by Volkswagen, but it is voluntary, and the owner will waive no legal rights if they choose to refuse."
Volkswagen adds that owners of the affected vehicles are going to be contacted via email, and will also receive a letter inviting them to make an appointment with their respective dealers. The company also stated that they are inviting their customers to come to a dealership and have the update implemented voluntarily be finalized in consultation with the ACCC.
Volkswagen To Face Several Penalties
According to ABC News, Volkswagen will be facing fines totaling more than $26 billion in the US and Europe after authorities have discovered that certain diesel cars were found to have software that passes emissions tests in a laboratory, but belches out toxic fumes when in real driving conditions.
