AAA commits where government won't

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is taking matters into its own hands with respect to emissions test cheating. The association said that the Volkswagen Group (VW) needs to explain why Australian customers are less important than those in the USA and is calling on the Australian Government to commit to real-world emissions testing of new vehicles.

US customers will receive an average of US$5000 from VW in the wake of last year’s scandal. Australian customers will get nothing.

AAA Chief Executive Michael Bradley said reports in the media claiming VW had not broken any laws were pre-empting the findings of an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

“VW Australia reportedly claims no payment is due to Australian consumers because the company broke no laws. The ACCC stated in October last year that using defeat devices is specifically prohibited under the Australian Design Rules. It also indicated it would not hesitate to take action if consumers were exposed to false, misleading or deceptive representations,” Bradley said.

“Regardless of the outcome of the ACCC’s investigation, VW has let down the Australian owners of around 90,000 vehicles. These Australians have faced almost a year of uncertainty in relation to the environmental performance, fuel usage and resale value of their vehicles.

Bradley said although VW may claim it does not owe Australian consumers compensation, in September 2015 its then global CEO Prof. Dr Martin Winterkorn, issued a statement that said: “We at Volkswagen will do everything that must be done in order to re-establish the trust that so many people have placed in us, and we will do everything necessary in order to reverse the damage this has caused.

“The AAA commends the sentiment of this statement, but again asks that Volkswagen treat the millions of affected customers equally, irrespective of the country in which they live,” Bradley said.

Amid growing concerns regarding the accuracy and usefulness of laboratory emissions testing in the wake of the VW scandal, the AAA is investing $500,000 to conduct an on-road emissions testing pilot of around 30 vehicles on the Australian market. The AAA believes the Australian Government should take on the role of administering an ongoing real-world emissions testing program.

The AAA emissions testing pilot of the first 10 vehicles is due to conclude by the end of August. Test results for these vehicles will be available later in 2016. The AAA also plans to test a sample of affected Volkswagen Group diesel vehicles before and after remediation by the company.