EU court rules diesel customers can sue Volkswagen where they bought cars

The European Union's highest court ruled Thursday that buyers of Volkswagen cars fitted with software installed to cheat diesel emissions tests can sue the automaker in the country where they bought the car rather than seeking damages in Germany.

The European Court of Justice was asked to weigh in on the matter by a state court in Klagenfurt, Austria, which is considering an Austrian consumer protection group's claim for damages on behalf of 574 customers.

Germany-based Volkswagen disputed the international jurisdiction of Austrian courts, the European Court of Justice said.