Volkawagen will offer up to $1,000 to owners of diesel cars in the U.S., according to a statement on Monday. U.S. owners of vehicles affected by the recent emission scandal will get a $500 Visa debit card, which may be spent on anything, and a $500 dealership credit to owners of 482,000 diesel cars affected by the scandal. In addition, the German automaker will offer up to three years of free roadside assistance. This offer includes owners of Audi whose vehicles were affected by the scandal.
Acceptance of the offer does not mean the vehicle owners will be required not to participate in any class-action lawsuit, or to give up any rights to potential future compensation, the company stated.
The offers is a public relations effort to win back the goodwill of people following the backlash from the scandal where the automaker fitted up to 11 million vehicles with software aimed at tricking regulators into thinking cars were compliant with emissions regulations stipulations.
“We are working tirelessly to develop an approved remedy for affected vehicles,” Volkswagen U.S. CEO Michael Horn said in a statement. “In the meantime, we are providing this goodwill package as a first step towards regaining our customers’ trust,” she added.
To partake of the offer, Volkswagen vehicle owners are required to visit VWDiesellnfo.com, neter their vehicle details, following which they will receive their “package” in four weeks.
