Automaker Volkswagen has announced it is giving away $1,000 in gift cards and vouchers to owners of 482,000 diesel car vehicles which were fitted with software designed to cheat government emission tests.
The alleged software turns on pollution controls during government tests and turns them off while on the road. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims the affected cars, with 2-liter four-cylinder diesel engines, emit 10 to 40 times the allowable amount of harmful nitrogen oxide while driving.
Volkswagen's 'Goodwill Package' is offering three different benefits to the affected owners. First is a $500 Visa prepaid card that can be used wherever Visa debit cards are accepted. The car owners also receive a $500 dealership card that can be used at any participating dealership for service or buying the automaker-branded merchandise, reported CNET.
Volkswagen is also offering free roadside assistance for the diesel vehicles for three years. The two gift cards will expire one year after the owner signs up to receive them.
"We are working tirelessly to develop an approved remedy for affected vehicles," said Michael Horn, Volkswagen Group of America's president and chief executive officer, in an e- mail.
"In the meantime, we are providing this goodwill package as a first step towards regaining our customers' trust," Horn added.
In order to sign up for the package, car owners will first have to verify their eligibility by visiting www.vwdieselinfo.com. Once registered, the loyalty package will be mailed within four weeks, and then the car owners can get their Visa debit card and VW gift card at an authorized dealer, reported Mashable.
The vehicles eligible for Volkswagen's 'Goodwill Package' offer include the four-cylinder diesel versions of the 2009-15 Jetta TDI, 2009-14 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, 2010-15 VW Golf TDI, 2015 VW Golf SportWagen TDI, 2012-15 VW Beetle TDI and VW Beetle Convertible TDI and the 2012-15 VW Passat TDI. The 2009-15 diesel Audi A3 owners will also get the same offer, according to Detroit Free Press.
For more information, check out Volkswagen's diesel information website.
