Italy’s Antitrust Authority said Friday it opened a case against Volkswagen AG for misleading Italian consumers who bought the German company’s vehicles with diesel engines that polluted more than advertised.
“Volkswagen’s claims about emissions and certifications in advertising campaigns and information brochures distributed by dealers might have induced consumers to make an error in their choice,” the antitrust body said in a statement.
The case opened Friday is linked to Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda brand vehicles sold after 2009.
Last month, Volkswagen admitted to U.S. regulators that it installed software on some diesel cars that makes emissions appear lower in testing than in real-world use. The scandal has led to a Volkswagen profit warning, the resignation of the chief executive and a drop of a third in the company’s market value.
Full content: The Wall Street Journal
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