The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has filed proceedings in the Federal Court Melbourne against Audi Australia Pty Ltd (Audi) for alleged breaches of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
It is alleged Audi has engaged in false, misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to advertisements for its Q7 SUV and Q7 3.6 SE motor vehicles. The advertisements appeared in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers between 23 June 2007 and 18 August 2007.
The ACCC alleges certain of Audi's advertisements represented the Q7 SUV and the Q7 3.6 SE as having seven seats as a standard feature when in fact the standard seating for these vehicles is five seats.
The ACCC also alleges Audi's advertisements represented:
- the Q7 3.6 SE motor vehicle was available for a purchase price of $79,900, when in fact this price was the recommended retail price and did not refer to the existence of dealer delivery and statutory charges, and
- the Q7 3.6 SE was a seven seat motor vehicle available for a purchase price of $79,900, when in fact the purchase price of a Q7 3.6 SE with seven seats was $81,600, plus dealer delivery and statutory charges.
The ACCC further alleges that Audi made false, misleading or deceptive representations in statements and pictures on its website and in brochures available through its website and authorised Audi dealers that the Q7 SUV is a seven seat motor vehicle.
The ACCC is seeking injunctions, declarations, a publication order, an order that Audi institute a trade practices compliance program and costs.
The ACCC's proceedings against Audi utilise the Fast Track List in the Victorian Registry of the Federal Court. The matter has been listed for a scheduling conference in the Federal Court, Melbourne, at 10.30 a.m. on 14 December 2007.