The European Commission will meet with consumer groups this week in order to make sure EU drivers will be fairly compensated by Volkswagen.
As reported by Reuters, Consumer Commissioner Vera Jourova stated on Monday that the Dieselgate scandal was a pan-European Union challenge and that the Commission was still assessing whether or not there have been breaches of two sets of rules.
These rules are the Consumer Sales and Guarantees Directive and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, where the former prohibits companies from having exaggerated environmental claims in their sales pitches.
“They set high standards for all member states to enforce in case these rules are breached. It seems to be the case in so-called Dieselgate,” stated Jourova before adding that according to feedback given in recent weeks by consumer groups and national authorities, VW had not yet provided sufficient information to consumers.
Volkswagen, however, considers these allegations unfounded, stating that “notwithstanding, in the meantime we are in regular and constructive dialogue with the Brussels authorities and institutions.”
Jourova added that “it is not my intention to come with strong action without fair communication with the company. I cannot say I am going to take a stricter approach. I want them to look at the valid legislation and see what they have to do.”
The consumer commissioner will continue working with consumer groups to pressure VW to voluntarily compensate customers in Europe for its diesel emissions test cheating, just like they did in the US where the automaker has pledged billions of dollars to compensate drivers, yet has rejected calls for similar payments covering the 8.5 million affected vehicles in Europe.
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