Volkswagen Giving Away $1,000 Gift Cards to U.S. Diesel Owners
Volkswagen (VW) is giving away $1,000 gift cards and vouchers to the owners of almost half a million diesel cars in the United States.
The gift-giving spirit of Volkswagen comes in the wake of an emissions-rigging scandal that the automaker is currently involved in. To appease customers affected by the scandal, Volkswagen announced on Monday that it will give away $1,000 gift cards and vouchers to 482,000 diesel and Audi owners in the United States, according to an AP report published on U.S. News.
In September, VW confessed to rigging the emissions software program to give false reading during government tests. Since the emissions scandal erupted, the owners of the diesel cars in the United States have been caught in a limbo, Fox News reports.
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"We are working tirelessly to develop an approved remedy for affected vehicles," U.S. News quotes VW U.S. CEO Michael Horn's statement. "In the meantime we are providing this goodwill package as a first step towards regaining our customers' trust."
The gift card and voucher is a form of compensation for the affected diesel car owners in America, while VW comes up with a definite fix for the rigged software. Consumers can use the $500 Visa gift card to shop anywhere. The $500 voucher, on the other hand, can be consumed for oil change, tire change, car down payment, and other services at a VW dealership. In addition, they diesel car owners can avail of free roadside assistance for three years, the report details.
VW spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan explained that the gift cards and vouchers have no strings attached. Owners can avail of the offer without giving up their right to file a lawsuit against the company.
The carmaker also said it would offer the same program for its Audi luxury brand starting on Friday, the report adds.
Meanwhile, 2.4 million cars affected by the emissions rigging scandal are being recalled in Germany. Next year, 8.5 million cars will also be recalled in Europe. An estimated 11 million Volkswagen diesel cars worldwide have the rigged software.
