On all four wheels, begging for forgiveness

Volkswagen Canada apologizes

By Aaron Guillen, Staff Reporter

After the shocking reveal back in September concerning the controversial diesel emissions scandal, Volkswagen is making a conscious effort to find peace with their Canadian customers.

Last week, VW purchased full-page ads in more than 100 newspapers, in which they expressed their sorrow and asked their customers to look at a website provided on the ad.

On the website, Maria Stenström, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., apologized: “We are grateful for the relationship of trust that we have built over the years with Canadians. I am committed to working directly with our Dealers, and the thousands of Volkswagen enthusiasts across Canada, to honour our strong relationship going forward,” she said in an open letter on the home page.

Included on the website is an emissions FAQ, in which one question in particular stood out: What are you doing to regain my trust?

“We are working tirelessly to develop a remedy for affected vehicles. We hope our employees, dealers and customers see this advertising as an important step towards acknowledging the damage done to Volkswagen’s relationship with Canadians and declaring our full commitment to restoring faith in our Brand.”

Meanwhile, Canadians are expected to receive a form of compensation.

According to CBC: “Environment Canada is working with U.S. regulators to approve a fix for the cars, which have software installed that turns on emissions control when cars are undergoing testing, but turns it off during real-world driving.”

Until then, a nationwide recall is expected soon. Additionally, VW sales have taken a plunge of 5.5 per cent in Canada, even though collective vehicle sales have risen 4.7 per cent in the past month, pointed out CBC.

PQ: “We are working tirelessly to develop a remedy for affected vehicles. We hope our employees, dealers and customers see this advertising as an important step towards acknowledging the damage done to Volkswagen’s relationship with Canadians and declaring our full commitment to restoring faith in our Brand.”