Legal Background:
The case was a multi-jurisdictional class action under the Class Proceedings Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 50. The lawsuit alleged that Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. and Audi Canada Inc. sold Audi vehicles (model years 2019-2024) with a defective belt starter generator (BSG) that caused the vehicles to shut down while in operation or fail to start.

Legal Issues:
The plaintiffs alleged negligence, breach of warranty, and violations of consumer protection legislation and the Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34. The key legal question was whether the vehicles suffered from a defect that caused significant operational failures.

Class Certification & Settlement:
The court granted consent certification for settlement purposes, determining that the action met the necessary criteria under the Class Proceedings Act. The proposed class included all individuals and entities in Canada who purchased or leased an affected vehicle, excluding those who opted out or had previously settled claims.

Notice & Distribution Plan:
The court approved a notice and dissemination plan, including direct notifications (email/mail) and digital advertisements via Meta (Facebook/Instagram). A settlement website and toll-free number were established.

Costs & Award:
The decision did not specify the total settlement amount or costs awarded but approved the settlement process and appointed Dr. Harkishen Sahota Inc. as the representative plaintiff.