Volkswagen AG loses appeal on EU competition rules

Volkswagen AG's appeal against a €90m fine for its infringement of EU competition rules has been dismissed by the European Court of Justice.

In January of 1998 the commission ruled that Volkswagen had entered into agreements with both subsidiaries and Italian dealers to prohibit or restrict sales from Italy to other member states.

It was found that Volkswagen had restricted sales from Italy through supply quotas to Italian dealers. It was also found that there a bonus system in place that discouraged them from selling to non-Italian customers.

In July 2000, the Court of First Instance ruled that the allegations of the commission were accurate.

The court's press service said this ruling still stands following the dismissal of the appeal.