Class actions launched against Fiat and Volkswagen scams - EU must change fuel consumption tests

Class actions against car makers Fiat and Volkswagen were filed in two courts in Italy yesterday by Italian consumer group Altroconsumo as BEUC calls for major EU emission test reform. The class actions have been launched on the back of tests conducted by our Italian member last year. The tests showed consumers are being misinformed by the advertised fuel economy claims made by the manufacturers. 

The investigation showed the manufacturers claimed their cars were 20% - 50% more efficient, meaning consumers spending far more on fuel costs than would otherwise be expected from the companies’ advertisements. The cars tested were a Fiat Panda 1.2 and Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI. 

Italian consumer group Altroconsumo presented a writ of summons to the courts of Turin and Venice, the regional headquarters of Fiat and Volkswagen respectively.

Monique Goyens, Director General of The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) commented:
“Consumers are being ripped off by car makers stretching test loopholes to their absolute limit. Drivers pay up to several hundreds of Euros more per year on fuel than what can be expected from reading carmakers’ advertising claims. Consumers deserve to be refunded for these claims made by automakers that bear no resemblance to real driving conditions.”

On the basis of Altroconsumo’s findings and the well documented fact that car manufacturers are exploiting loopholes in out-of-date EU legislation, BEUC is calling for a major overhaul to the existing type approval process. BEUC is advocating for the swift implementation of a new testing protocol, the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), to be operational for 2017. 

Alongside this is the clear need for conformity testing (i.e. independent authorities conducting checks on vehicles offered for sale and those already purchased by consumers) so as to ensure car makers are not encouraged to stretch flexibilities in the test lab.

Monique Goyens continued:
“The current fuel consumption test is clearly out of date and there is no time to waste before upgrading it. As every day passes, this situation does little to inspire confidence in car manufacturers.”