VW Emission Scandal: Chinese Environmental Group Files Lawsuit

Volkswagen is being sued by a Chinese environmental group over the carmaker's use of software to rig emissions tests in its diesel-powered cars, in what China's state-owned media calls the first public interest lawsuit over the scandal in the German company's biggest global market.

The VW emission cheating scandal that affects up to 11 million diesel cars globally has spurred investigations, lawsuits and a major leadership shakeup at the company since it was first discovered in September. Volkswagen also recently announced that it would recall around 3.2 lakh vehicles fitted with the EA189 diesel engines in India which were sold between 2008 and 2015.

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The China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation said in a statement on its website that it has filed a public interest suit in a court in the eastern port city of Tianjin.

State-owned China Daily reported the lawsuit on Tuesday, quoting the group as saying it filed the case because VW "produced the problematic vehicles for the pursuit of higher profits and circumvented Chinese laws, which has worsened the air pollution and affected public health and rights".

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Volkswagen has said it made 3.2 million vehicle deliveries in China in the first 11 months of 2015. While the rigged tests only affect 1,950 vehicles in the country, China's quality watchdog said in October it was "highly concerned" about the misleading software and would take appropriate follow-up measures.

A Volkswagen spokesperson declined to immediately comment on the suit.

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Executives at the German automaker apologised to Chinese consumers about the scandal at events connected to last month's Guangzhou Auto Show.