Volkswagen Diesel Information Consumer Site Launches, Company Still Searches for Remedy
HERNDON, Virginia – Volkswagen of America launched a new consumer website on Sunday that’s designed to provide timely information about its ongoing diesel-emissions crisis that affects 11 million vehicles worldwide and 482,000 cars in the U.S.
While vowing to fix the cars as quickly as possible, the German automaker said it still does not have a remedy in place for the cars that spew excess pollution because they use a so-called “defeat device” that skirts federal regulations.
The vehicles include the 2009-’15 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2010-’15 Volkswagen Golf TDI and 2012-’15 Volkswagen Passat TDI.
“When we have a remedy in place, customers will be notified of the next steps immediately,” said Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn in a YouTube video posted on the site.
He added: “We cannot offer a firm date now because we need to work on the remedy and review it with the government. We are proceeding as quickly as possible.”
The website provides consumers with FAQs about the crisis and statements by company officials.
One FAQ question says: “I want to turn in my vehicle – Can I and how?”
The answer: “We are cooperating closely with the regulatory authorities to develop a remedy as quickly as possible. We ask for your patience as we work to get this done right.”
Volkswagen once again reassured affected owners that the cars are “safe to drive.”
The website also confirms that the EPA has stopped Volkswagen from selling its 2016 diesel cars and that VW has issued a stop-sale for the remaining 2015 diesel cars that are in dealer showrooms.
“We are working very hard to get our four-cylinder TDI business restarted as soon as possible,” VW said.
The website also confirms that VW has stopped advertising its latest TDI models.
“We did this as an interim step while we seek the government approvals that will allow us to offer our 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI models for sale,” it said.
The new consumer website launches as the U.S. Justice Department and at least 28 State Attorneys General in the U.S. are investigating the automaker.
In the meantime, Volkswagen of America urged customers with questions to call 1-800-822-8987 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time from Monday to Friday for more information.
Edmunds says: Owners and customers who are following the developments in the Volkswagen diesel-emissions crisis will want to check this new website on a regular basis for the latest information.
