The Polish competition authority has imposed a fine of approximately 74 million PLN on Volkswagen Group Polska in connection with the Dieselgate scandal. This decision comes after a settlement was reached between the company and the authority, facilitated by the General Prosecutor's Office.

The Dieselgate scandal involved Volkswagen's use of software in vehicles from 2008 to 2015 that manipulated nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions during testing. In 2020, the authority found that Volkswagen misled consumers regarding compliance with Euro 5 standards and the environmental performance of its vehicles, including those from the brands Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, and Skoda.

Volkswagen had appealed the authority's decision to the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection, which encouraged the parties to negotiate a settlement. The court noted that EU emissions regulations do not set limits for NOx emissions under real-world conditions, leading to modifications in the authority's decision.

Following the court's guidance, the authority and the General Prosecutor's Office agreed to a settlement with Volkswagen, which was subsequently approved by the court. The settlement confirmed that Volkswagen engaged in misleading practices regarding the environmental impact of its diesel vehicles and directed sellers to disregard consumer complaints about these issues.

The final fine imposed on Volkswagen amounts to 73,752,658 PLN. The authority emphasized that the settlement avoids lengthy litigation while ensuring accountability for practices that violate consumer interests.

Additionally, the authority reminded that according to a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, buyers of vehicles equipped with devices that limit effectiveness are entitled to compensation from the manufacturer if such devices cause harm.