Australian law firm launches $72-million class action against Volkswagen for emission scams

An Australian law firm filed a class action Thursday against Volkswagen worth A$100 million, or $71.59 million, for emission scams.

On behalf of Australian Volkswagen owners, Maurice Blackburn law firm launched a class action against the German car maker for putting devices in its vehicles that could cover the true figures of emission levels, according to a report by Reuters. The class action also targets not just the local subsidiaries, but the German parent companies that have a play in the emissions scandal as well.

According to the International Business Times Volkswagen is currently facing a various lawsuits after the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that some of the German automaker's diesel engine cars had a programming that could lower emissions readings when tested. This led to a massive scandal that led the company to recall thousands of its cars.

"I am extremely disappointed that, because of the company's deceitful conduct, I've now got a car that is emitting dirty diesel," Audi owner and a lead applicants for the class action Robyn Richardson said in a report by Daily Mail UK. "I am here to bring them to account for what they've done. I'm here to deter other companies from behaving similarly."

According to Maurice Blackburn principal Jason Geisker, besides the 10,000 who have already registered, there are more than 90,000 car owners who want to get the full cost of the cars back. In addition to that they also seek damages for misleading and deceptive conduct.

"VGA assures all its customers that the affected cars are technically safe and the necessary measures will be undertaken at no cost to them," Volkswagen Group Australia said in a statement. "We will do everything we can to fix this problem and regain the trust of our customers."

Volkswagen is also facing a lawsuit in Virginia for securities fraud. Dutch investor association VEB is also planning claims for investors who bought VW stocks. Litigation funder Bentham Europe is also looking into filing charges against VW on behalf of its 200 biggest investors.