Request for a preliminary ruling from the Bezirksgericht für Handelssachen Wien (Austria) lodged on 29 October 2024 – Girder Weiss GmbH v Volkswagen AG

(Case C-751/24, Girder Weiss)

(C/2025/1736)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Bezirksgericht für Handelssachen Wien

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Gebrüder Weiss GmbH

Defendant: Volkswagen AG

Question referred

Must the provisions of Directive 2007/46/EC, (1) read in conjunction with Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 715/2007, (2) in the light of the judgment of 31 March 2023, Mercedes Benz Group (C-100/21, EU:C:2023:229), (3) be interpreted as protecting the specific interests of the individual purchaser of a motor vehicle vis-à-vis the manufacturer of the engine installed in that vehicle, where that engine has been equipped by its manufacturer with a prohibited defeat device within the meaning of Article 5(2) of Regulation No 715/2007 but the vehicle manufacturer within the meaning of Article 3(27) of Directive 2007/46 is not the engine manufacturer but a subsidiary that is 100 % beneficially owned by the engine manufacturer?

(1)  Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (OJ 2007 L 263, p. 1).

(2)  Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information (OJ 2007 L 171, p. 1).

(3)  Judgment of 31 March 2023 (C-100/21, EU: C: 2023:229).