[JURIST] Deutsche See, an environmentally conscious fish distributor, became Volkswagen’s [corporate websites] first major German customer to sue VW over misrepresenting their vehicles [BBC report] as being environmentally friendly. Deutsche See’s complaint alleged “malicious deception” and was filed at the regional court in Braunschweig, near Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters. Deutsche See, which leases 500 vehicles from VW, stated that it “only went into partnership with VW because VW promised the most environmentally friendly, sustainable mobility concept.” VW refused to comment [Reuters] on the complaint Sunday claiming that it had not yet seen the charge. In September 2015 VW admitted that it had used software to cheat on diesel emissions tests. VW’s settlement costs and fines in the US alone are approaching $20 billion.

VW is facing legal difficulty around the world over the emissions scandal. In December the EU decided to take action [JURIST report] against seven member states over the emissions scandal. That same week, South Korea announced that it plans to fine [JURIST report] VW over false advertising. In October a Spanish court ordered [JURIST report] Volkswagen to pay damages to a VW vehicle owner who purchased his car in 2011. A US judge approved [JURIST report] a $14.7 billion settlement in October between VW and the US Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the state of California and car owners who filed a class action lawsuit over the company’s emissions scandal. In September a German court said VW faces over [JURIST report] USD $8.2 billion in damage claims from investors. That same month, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission sued [JURIST report] VW and its local subsidiary for misleading customers. In August a district court in Germany ruled [JURIST report] that a collective complaint against VW may move forward. Last March the US FTC filed suit against VW for false advertising.