UOKiK launches probe into Volkswagen scandal

Consumer watchdog UOKiK has started an investigation process into the Volskwagen affair. The institution has called the manufacturer to provide the necessary information to determine whether there are grounds to bring allegations of infringement of collective consumer interests.

UOKiK will analyze, among others, advertising materials on vehicles with rigged emission control systems and check whether they contained information on the level of emissions and if they differ from the real levels. The watchdog will also monitor the implementation of a repair plan.

Two weeks ago, Minister of the Environment Maciej Grabowski informed that as many as 139,000 Volkswagen Group cars that might exceed emission norms have entered the Polish market.

The US revealed on September 18 that Volkswagen had programmed its turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engine models for years 2009 through 2015  so that US standards nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions were met only during laboratory emissions testing. NOx emissions during driving were up to 35 times higher. On September 22, the company admitted that the software was also installed in vehicles sold outside the US. As many as 11 mln VW cars all over the world may be affected by the scam.