EXCLUSIVE: Volkswagen To Announce "TDI Goodwill Program" Next Week
Update: Added background.
Volkswagen of America, in a bid to regain the trust of current diesel owners, will announce a prepaid card campaign on November 9, TTAC has learned.
The program, detailed to dealers Thursday in preparation of its public announcement, is aimed at current owners of affected TDI models regardless of whether they bought their car new or used.
Two prepaid cards will be offered to those TDI owners. The first one will be for $500 and has no restrictions on where it can be used. The second, which may be valued between $500 and $750, will be limited to use at Volkswagen dealerships.
According to our tipster, owners of affected models will need to visit their local Volkswagen dealership with proof of vehicle ownership to activate the prepaid cards.
Owners can find out if they qualify for the “TDI Goodwill Program” by going to www.vwdieselinfo.com and doing a VIN lookup on or after November 9. If they qualify, owners will then be asked to register to receive updates regarding future developments on their diesel vehicles.
The program is expected to apply only to four-cylinder diesels for now, though it could be expanded to 3-liter V-6 diesels later.
Representatives for Volkswagen of America could not be reached for comment.
The additional cash could be a plus for those looking to stay with the brand but get away from their diesel cars. Volkswagen announced October 31 that they would subsidize dealers to take in TDI vehicles on trade at pre-crisis valuations, on top of a $2,000 TDI owner loyalty discount announced October 2.
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Volkswagen ended the $2000 bonus on November 2nd. Their website lists a $1500 loyalty discount now. So really, they are not offering any additional money to owners after the gift card.
I think you could actually get the last new midsize car in America for less than $15,000 if you worked this the right way. Base Passat - $2000 - $1250. That would actually hit right under $15k. Then again, I did just get a loaded 2008 Passat with the 3.6 for all of $3000 last Wednesday. That was cheaper than a 2007 base Corolla that had more miles and cosmetic issues. If you want a cheap VW these days, buy an older one. The media buzz is actually propping up the prices.
Isn't this less about recompense for TDI owners dealing with free-falling resale values and more about padding recall compliance rates, especially in non-emissions states? VW positioning w/ the regulator.
Oh good. Cash. Let me take it to the nearest BMW dealer to spend.