Volkswagen pulls name-change stunt after it backfires on social media
Volkswagen AG’s US branch has apologized after a false statement it issued about a name change was widely slammed on social media.
The company acknowledged that the false announcement – claiming it would rename its U.S. operations as ‘Voltswagen of America’ had upset some people and we are sorry about any confusion this has caused.”
The stunt came just ahead of April Fool’s Day on the first of the month, a time when companies often release prank statements. What was meant to call attention to its electric vehicle efforts was criticized on social media, with commentators recalling the company’s diesel-emissions scandal and years of misleading customers and regulators.
The initial statement outlined the name change included a detailed description of its purported rebranding efforts and new logos. The statement was posted on the company website and was accompanied by tweets. It was pulled on late Tuesday.
“The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fool’s Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV and signaling our commitment to bringing electric mobility to all,” a VW U.S. spokesman said.
The incident marks the latest communication hiccup at the group, which made headlines last year for an advert for Golf cars posted on its Instagram page that it admitted was racist and insulting which it later withdrew and apologized for.
Volkswagen in 2015 admitted to using illegal software to rig diesel engine tests in the United States, sparking Germany’s biggest corporate crisis and costing the carmaker more than 32 billion euros in fines, refits, and legal costs.
In 2017, VW pleaded guilty to fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements as part of a $4.3 billion settlement reached with the U.S. Justice Department over the automaker’s diesel emissions scandal.
