It may be one of the biggest industrial scandals of the decade – car giant Volkswagen busted for fiddling with its emission systems. So, in an attempt to rebuild the brand, it’s decided to ditch its famous ‘Das Auto’ (‘The Car’) slogan.
Reports from its Berlin HQ say the slogan is out of touch and no longer fits with its new-found humility following the scandal. Instead, the new global banding will simply be its famous VW badge and the word “Volkswagen”. The new branding will be rolled out globally throughout 2016.
“Wherever our logo appears in future, it will be backed by the new brand slogan ‘Volkswagen,'” the spokesman said. “The slogan will be rolled out in stages across the world.”
But bigger problems remain than just a change of a branding. In September Volkswagen was busted for rigging exhaust emission tests on some of its diesel-powered models. Many customers said they bought the vehicles on their supposed ‘green’ credentials and the company would have to reimburse angry customers. The payout could be so huge it has been rumoured it could bankrupt the car maker.
In Australia it has been revealed that some 100,000 angry Volkswagen drivers have lodged a class-action in the Federal Court claiming that Volkswagen had been deceptive, their vehicle’s secondhand value had been dramatically decreased and their on-road costs had increased. The case is currently ongoing.
