Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[Greg Roles]

Yeah wow, good read, all alloy Merc 2.0, hubba hubba.

[Amalgam]

Dieselgate: No compo for Aussies

Volkswagen says US 'goodwill packages' won't be offered in Australia because diesel emissions cheat is easier to remedy here
Volkswagen is not planning to offer compensation to its Australian customers caught up in its ‘dieselgate’ diesel emissions scandal.

The company’s stance was confirmed overnight to Australian journalists in Berlin for the international launch of the second-generation Taguan compact SUV by Christian Buhlmann, one of only two officially sanctioned global Volkswagen spokes people for the emissions cheating scandal.

Dieselgate: No compo for Aussies – Car Reviews, News & Advice - CarPoint Australia..

So this is what VAG thinks of us.. Second class citizen

[Dutch77]

It's worth adding their biggest market Europe is also not included for the reasons stated in the article.

[Ryeman]

It seems fairly obvious that the 'cheat' was there for the U.S. emissions test and not relevant to the more lenient standards of Europe and, in particular, Australia.
That's the reason the au EPA don't basically give a fig as to whether it's slightly modified or not.......shear pragmatism .....that's my impression.
In Europe, with it's genuine concern relating to NOx emissions in their major capitals, resulting from the widespread embrace of urban diesel, replacing petrol, for reduced CO2 (GHG) emission, it's become very political.
For us, a 20 min fix is, I suspect, more to do with a pr exercise and (hopefully) meaningless.

[Greg Roles]

I reckon it's more the fact they are most likely to be sued on mass in the USA, where the cars absolutely don't meet emission laws, yet here, there's more chance they can wrangle out of it as our emission laws are less strict and more "following the Eu standard" than "set in stone" Australian law. I know we are not allowed to "tamper with" or "modify" emission equipment as fitted, but the PD 125kw DPF circa 2008 as fitted across a few VAG cars was ahead of its time, and full Euro V laws it was designed to meet didn't take effect here till 2011, when cars like the D-Max started coming out with a crude DPF here in Oz.

Seems it all comes down to getting away with what they can, where they can. In reality who really cares about a $500 VW voucher, and a $500 Visacard in the scheme of things, losses at resale time are likely going to be more than a grand. Still, people are quick to forget, and we sure have moved on quickly since the DSG saga.....

[Ryeman]

Not being a U.S. manufacturer means they won't be spared by govt depts also and
an election year!

[Amalgam]

I reckon it's more the fact they are most likely to be sued on mass in the USA, where the cars absolutely don't meet emission laws, yet here, there's more chance they can wrangle out of it as our emission laws are less strict and more "following the Eu standard" that "set in stone" Australian law. I know we are not allowed to "tamper with" or "modify" emission equipment as fitted, but the PD 125kw DPF circa 2008 as fitted across a few VAG cars was ahead of its time, and full Euro V laws it was designed to meet didn't take effect here till 2011, when cars like the D-Max started coming out with a crude DPF here in Oz.

Seems it all comes down to getting away with what they can, where they can. In reality who really cares about a $500 VW voucher, and a $500 Visacard in the scheme of things, losses at resale time are likely going to be more than a grand. Still, people are quick to forget, and we sure have moved on quickly since the DSG saga.....

I completely agree Greg.

It just reeks of Germanic hubris and a blatant distain for us, their customers and you are right, our resale values have taken a hit but VAG doesn't care. They have made their public mea culpa and now it onwards and upwards and damn the rest.

It has been a PR nightmare.

Just imagine the potential goodwill, or at least no negative sentiment, if VAG was more forthcoming with the state of play, and offered every affected owner a complementary minor service with the fix. I am guessing it would cost VAG USD100 cost price for parts and labour at dealer warranty rates.

The thing that most people want when they feel wronged is

1/ a sincere apology
2/ a small token to express that apology
3/ a genuine solution


I know you have to put a positive PR spin, but does VAG know the meaning of hubris??

Dieselgate won't hurt new Tiguan, says VW

Volkswagen expects strong turbo-diesel sales for second-generation Tiguan

There will be no sales backlash against turbo-diesel engines in the second-generation Tiguan SUV line-up despite the 'Dieselgate' emissions cheating debacle, Volkswagen Group Australia believes.

Dieselgate won't hurt new Tiguan, says VW – Car Reviews, News & Advice - CarPoint Australia

[stefcio007]

Sales stats for even November showed the diesel-gate scandal had very little effect here. And in some cases overal sales were higher towards the end of the year compared to the previous year.
I can see why they wouldn't care if sales aren't affected.
I think you'll only start seeing sales affected in a few years when people who had owned a VW are looking to buy a new car.

[Greg Roles]

Yeah it's funny how if at my next service I got a free professional polish done with some local contractor I'd be stoked. The idea of "no charge" next service would similarly make me very happy. It wouldn't take much, but instead we get all this endless build-up, only to be told "fark you guys". Ultimately I'm not all that fussed about the issue, but so too I can appreciate the effect it MAY have on resale for people in various situations, and THAT sucks. It's also probably the fact VW are preparing themselves for all the legal payouts the HAVE to make, whilst avoiding all those they don't.

It's sure generated some very bad PR, and as I always like to swap and change each car upgrade, well that new all alloy Merc diesel sure looks the berries, just hope it gets put in another more affordable ( and less limo looking ) brand!

At least driving an oddball Skoda I kind of hide from the issue, as firstly the majority of the public don't know about them, and second even less would know it's a VW TDI underneath!

[theresanothersteve]

Sales stats for even November showed the diesel-gate scandal had very little effect here. And in some cases overal sales were higher towards the end of the year compared to the previous year.
I can see why they wouldn't care if sales aren't affected.
I think you'll only start seeing sales affected in a few years when people who had owned a VW are looking to buy a new car.

Spoke to the dealer I bought the Jetta from...

He says their sales actually have gone up since the scandal broke. Says the customers aren't concerned and the scandal reminded them to chase a deal...