VOLKSWAGEN is considering an appeal against a euro 90 million (£57 million) fine imposed by the European Court of First Instance for alleged 'anti-competitive behaviour'. The Court upheld the European Commission decision of January 28 that the manufacturer had seriously infringed EU competition rules by preventing German and Austrian customers from buying in Italy, where prices for VW and Audi cars were said to be lower.

The verdict comes as the UK Government is planning to introduce new legislation - in response to the Competition Commission's New Cars Inquiry - which will allow UK dealers to import new cars from authorised dealers in EC member states.