VIDEO: This Is What Volkswagen USA Is Telling Its Dealers

Volkswagen is making sure everyone is getting the right message today, and that includes its American dealers.

Thanks to a tipster, TTAC has obtained a video sent by Volkswagen of America executive to its dealers.

The video stars Hinrich J. Woebcken, who was installed as the overseeing executive for Volkswagen North America Region and President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. Woebcken took the positions after former Chairman of Škoda Prof. Dr. Winfried Vahland, who was tipped for the North American-level role, left Volkswagen Group. Woebcken also assumed the local Volkswagen Group of America responsibilities after the departure of former President and CEO Michael Horn.

In the message to dealers, Woebcken states, “First of all, please know over the past nine months we have been working very hard on many facets of this issue, including working with federal and state governments and regulatory agencies to arrive at a proposed solution to satisfy all parties — particularly our customers.”

The video then goes on to show how the automaker plans to “make things right” and “rebuild trust” with its U.S. customers. Woebcken states that the $15.3 billion settlement unveiled yesterday “offers a solution that puts the decision power in the hands of the customers,” detailing the three available options — vehicle buyback, early lease termination, or an approved emissions modification with vehicle retention. (Yesterday, Volkswagen revealed exactly what compensation owners can expect.)

How does the automaker plan to pull off the massive task of buying back or fixing 475,000 Volkswagen and Audi vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter diesel engines?

“Rest assured, there is a very detailed plan for executing this program, which will involve your dealership at critical customer interaction points, but will also include key support from Volkswagen,” Woebcken states. “Volkswagen executives will be providing…more information in a series of regional dealer meetings in the weeks of July 11 and July 18. These meetings will give you the complete details on how the customer and dealer processes will work, and allow you to ask questions so that you can be prepared for a rollout in early fall.”

The meetings will see dealer kits, complete with handouts, videos and infographics, handed out to inform dealer employees on the plan. Woebcken expects approval of the settlement to come in the final week of July, with more details on the timing of the buyback program and customer next steps coming after that point.

Support teams will help dealers once the settlement is approved, Woebcken states, adding that customers with questions about their options should visit the website VWCourtSettlement.com for now.

Attempting to placate jittery dealers, Woebcken signs off by saying, “I’m confident we can begin making things right, and (I) appreciate the dedication of the entire Volkswagen dealer network. You are what makes this Volkswagen brand great.”