Volkswagen Aus ordered to supply more info | Dieselgate

VW diesel emissions cheating saga continues at a crawl, as lawyers representing almost 100,000 motorists wait for more details.

Volkswagen has again been asked by the Federal Court to produce more "documents and detail" about how its diesel emissions cheating software works.

The German car giant made its fourth court appearance at a class action representing 100,000 owners in Sydney on Thursday in a lengthy three-hour directions hearing.

Justice Foster is due to issue the orders on Friday, demanding Volkswagen provide more detail on how "mode 1" and "mode 2" emissions software controls worked, and the recall work to be undertaken.

In the first mode, Volkswagen diesel vehicles knew they were being tested in laboratory conditions and met emissions standards, while the second mode disabled anti-pollution equipment when the cars operated in normal driving conditions.

In April Justice Foster blasted VW for treating Australia as a "backwater" for not supplying the required documents at that time.

Volkswagen repeated its earlier statement that emissions regulations in Australia differ greatly from those in the US.

This is the third time VW has been asked to provide more material to the lawyers representing almost 100,000 owners of Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda cars with diesel engines that cheat emissions tests.

"Despite admitting that approximately 100,000 diesel vehicles need to be 'fixed' and despite compensating American motorists with a reported $15 billion package over similar issues, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda all deny they have broken local laws," Mr Geisker said.

"For year after year these companies banked profits from selling so-called 'clean' diesel cars, but they now refuse to compensate any Australian motorists. This is simply not good enough."

Volkswagen repeated its earlier statement that emissions regulations in Australia differ greatly from those in the US.

"Volkswagen believes that the best outcome for its customers is the technical solution," a statement from VW Australia boss Michael Bartsch said.

"This will update the software in vehicles which are the subject of the class action at no charge to customers."

Mr Bartsch said there is no compensation due to European or Australian customers.

"The relevant facts and complex legal issues that have played a role in coming to these agreements in the United States are materially different from those in Europe and Australia," said Mr Bartsch.

"Volkswagen is committed to resolving the diesel matter for all affected customers around the world quickly and efficiently. We recognise the need to regain their trust and we are doing everything possible to achieve this."

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