Volkswagen And Greenpeace End Warfare

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

For years, Greenpeace and Volkswagen were engaged in a low level conflict over alleged high levels of CO2 emissions. Now, both sides decided to declare victory and to go home. After announcing ambitious CO2 goals before the Geneva Motor show, Volkswagen had a sit-down with Greenpeace, where both decided to bury the hatchet.

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn met Greenpeace Chief Executive Director Brigitte Behrens and told her:

“I guarantee that we will do everything in our power to reach carbon dioxide emissions of 95 grams without any reservations. However, this will only be possible if customers accept our advanced alternative powertrains. This is of course our objective.”

Behrens agreed and said:

“This is a decision in favor of climate protection and a key signal for committing to the protection of the environment and society and the series production of climate-friendly technical solutions. We will remain in dialogue with Volkswagen, also with regards to mobility concepts for the future.”

In retrospect, Volkswagen calls the war ” a constructive and in some cases also confrontational dialog.”

What I’d love to find out, but probably never will: Did Volkswagen finally pay Greenpeace off, or did Greenpeace decide to bug someone who rolls over with greater ease?

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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 2 comments
  • Mike978 Mike978 on Mar 25, 2013

    Re: the last paragraph, what do your sources say? I assume Greenpeace will have just moved onto someone else since VW in Europe has a good image and plenty of money to defend themselves.

  • LuciferV8 LuciferV8 on Mar 25, 2013

    Winterkorn should have just told those commie turds to go stuff themselves. However, given the demographics of a significant section of VW's target market (particularly within the US), I think he made the right decision from a PR/Marketing standpoint.

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