As part of the deal company bosses have also said they will provide free road vehicle assistance for the next three years.
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Unaffected Volkswagen models include the 2015-2016 model year Golf 7 TDI and all Touareg, Amarok, Multivan, Transporter, Crafter and new (B8) Passat models, the Skoda Fabia, Rapid and Octavia, and all petrol-powered VW and Skoda models.
The pair of cards hardly illuminates the way forward for owners of noncompliant diesel-fueled Volkswagens, but it’s the first move the automaker has made in an attempt to pacify its US customers.
Analysts estimate that Volkswagen, which is the biggest automaker in Europe, might have to foot a bill worth $38 billion for different fines, lawsuits and vehicle refits in what is thought to be the biggest business crisis over the past 78 years.
Audi of America will launch a complementary program for owners of 2009-2013 and 2015 Audi A3 TDI models on Friday, November 13.
Customers who sign up for the Goodwill Package will receive a $500 Prepaid Visa Loyalty Card which can be used anywhere that Visa is accepted. Owners must register for the offer by April 30.
There’s no word yet on whether a similar offer will be extended to Canadian Volkswagen owners.
Volkswagen officials characterized the plan as a way to help out customers while it figures out ways to bring the cars into compliance with air pollution rules.
ALSO SEE: Why Did Volkswagen Cheat On Diesel Emissions In Its TDI Cars?
He said the affected vehicles are subject to much more stringent emissions legislation in the U.S. and Canada compared to other countries.
After admission of fitting about 11 million of its cars with software created 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.
Meanwhile, though, he called the package “a first step toward regaining our customers’ trust”.
Last Monday the EPA published evidence that there are 10,000 more cars equipped with “defeat software” than previously known.
SEVERAL Volkswagen engineers have admitted manipulating carbon dioxide emissions data because goals set by former chief executive Martin Winterkorn were hard to achieve, Bild am Sonntag reported.
Whatever fix VW designs could wind up hurting performance or perhaps fuel mileage, the two main reasons why people buy diesels.
The scandal drew protests from the Greenpeace environmental group Monday outside the main entrance to VW’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.
Last week, Volkswagen acknowledged that a few “emissions inconsistencies” had been found in 800,000 cars.
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Used auto values often drop in the fall, since demand for them is stronger in the summer.
