After admission of fitting about 11 million of its cars with software designed to cheat emission tests since 2008, the Volkswagen Group has begun offering a "goodwill package" to unit owners caught in the middle of the scandal.
The German automaker is giving out up to $1,000 in compensation to Volkswagen (VW) owners if their car is verified to be one of the 500,000 VW diesel engine cars in the U.S. carrying the malicious software programmed to circumvent regulations on emissions, The Guardian reported.
The package mainly includes a Visa gift card worth $500 and a $500 store credit to be used for services and merchandise from VW dealers.
Affected VW owners must go to a specially-made webpage and put in information such as vehicle ID number (VIN) and name of the unit owner. Within a month, they will receive a voucher, which they will then present to their dealer in exchange for the package, specified USA Today. A three-year free roadside assistance is also part of the arrangement.
Owners may also avail of a temporary replacement car while their unit is in for removal of the software.
On the other hand, the BBC reports that U.K. dealers are being given lists of VINs of affected units while attempting to directly contact car owners to advise them to bring their car in for repair. VW has yet to announce what it plans to offer in reparation for the U.K. market.
Already having difficulties in the U.S. market, VW now suffers the wrath of car owners enraged by the manufacturer's false claims of putting out environmentally friendly products.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in September that, without the software, VW cars actually emit up to 40 times the acceptable nitrous oxides.
VW's bills are racking up as it also offers to shoulder the extra taxes imposed on European drivers due to emission concerns. The carmaker owned up on Tuesday to undervaluing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of cars released in Europe, as reported by Fortune.
The admission came after engineers opened up to their superiors about tampering with car tyre pressure and engine oil mixes to give favorable fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission ratings.
The engineers' actions were said to be an effort to reach a deadline announced by a VW executive at the 2012 Geneva Auto show. Former CEO Martin Winkerton publicized on the event that Volkswagen will lessen its CO2 emission by 30 percent come 2015.
USA Today also added that an email from VW spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan says accepting the compensations does not mean affected owners can no longer pursue legal actions against the company. "There are no stipulations," she said.
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