Time for a Boycott! Volkswagen’s Fraud Should Shock Even the Cynics
This may be a new low in business ethics: Volkswagen got caught fitting more than 500,000 diesel vehicles with a device that senses emissions checks, and only fully enables its pollution control systems when the emissions check is being done!
What does that mean? Hundreds of thousands of vehicles “partying like it’s 1959,” belching unmitigated particulates into the air that you and I breathe. There were no emissions requirements at all in 1959, in case you were wondering.
This is outrageous! In addition to the recall and the fines, I think this is grounds for a widespread boycott. Being not just lied to but poisoned by a major company that pretends to care about the environment is not acceptable behavior. We as consumers need to stand up and say, ‘ENOUGH!”
And we consumers have power. There’s a long and honorable history of boycotts sparking change in corporate behavior. Just ask Nestlé.
The above link is to the New York Times article, but this act of deeply purposeful criminal fraud is all over the news media. This link goes to a Google search for “volkswagen defeat device emissions.” As of 6:09 p.m. Eastern on Friday, September 18, Page One results include stories in NPR, the Washington Post, and USA Today in addition to the Times.
A lifelong activist, profitability and marketing specialist Shel Horowitz’s mission is to fix crises like hunger, poverty, racism, war, and catastrophic climate change—by showing the business world how fixing them can make a profit. An author, international speaker, and TEDx Talker, his award-winning 10th book, Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World, lays out a blueprint for creating and MARKETING those profitable change-making products and services. He is happy to help you craft your messaging and develop profit strategies. Learn more (and download excerpts from the book) at http://goingbeyondsustainability.com
VW has since admitted that 11 million vehicles are affected. And not surprisingly, the company’s stock tanked. This was deliberate and malicious, and I’m betting the genesis of a LOT of lawsuits, including from customers who were led to believe they were purchasing a greener vehicle.
It makes me wonder what else they might be hiding! Are there safety features that could be faulty?!?
Good question. And scary thought.
I have driven VW and Audi
my whole live, starting with a beetle in 1975. NO MORE. This is GREED, Its wrong and criminal.
As a professional mechanic, I am boycotting VW Group and all of its affiliates by refusing any service or repair on any of their products. It is an outrage that they have deceived everyone like this! And to make matters worse, the management has filed criminal investigation against its own employees!! It’s the job of upper level management to oversee ALL levels of the business. To point the fingers at the employees is absolutely disgusting.
Not surprisingly, VW’s stock prices took a huge dive on the first day of trading following this revelation. As usual, crime does NOT pay.
Scott Orshan: OUCH!
My mother would never buy anything German. My in-laws don’t either. Their record in the Holocaust was appalling. I have never bought a German car, but 70 years on, I don’t think there’s anyone left at any German companies who was complicit in that evil.
Steve, I changed it to “Time for a Boycott.”
Unethical “shortcuts” often end up being more difficult and a lot more expensive. You’d think people would’ve figured that out by now. I published a book all the way back in 2003 showing the business profitability case for high standards of ethics. Would be nice if the lesson took root.
I certainly hope it’s not SOP in other car makers!