When a consumer thinks of European cars, he thinks of luxury, design and performance. However, Volkswagen may have tainted the consumer’s view after the EPA discovered that the company had been designing its cars to cheat on and pass emissions tests.
The impending investigation and governmental inquiries isn’t the German car company’s biggest issue. The public now distrusts Volkswagen, a company previously seen as one whose products were equipped with superior technology and were environmentally friendly.
Former CEO, Martin Winterkorn, looking distressed as he attempts to deal with backlash regarding Volkswagen’s emissions scandal.
Can Volkswagen save face?
The company’s CEO, Martin Winterkorn, apologized in a public video several days after the news of the cars’ so called “defeat devices.” Well, a simple apology probably just isn’t going to cut it. The public is never going to see Volkswagen the same way. It’s already difficult for consumers to trust large, global companies, but Volkswagen has dug itself into an even deeper hole. To make matters worse, the day following his apology, Winterkorn resigned. Seems a little fishy… and the public certainly thinks so.
Bringing in a new CEO for a so-called “fresh start” may seem to be a good move, however I’m skeptical. I think there’s an underlying reason for the change in management. It’s my assumption that top-level executives are to blame in allowing this emissions scandal. Is Volkswagen more corrupt than we as consumers know?
What’s next?
There have been rumors circulating among media outlets of Volkswagen creating an electric car. Could Volkswagen earn back its reputation by creating the cleanest of cars? Creating an electric car would make Volkswagen look environmentally friendly, but the public may just see this as an attempt to boost its image. Either way, putting an electric car into the market couldn’t do any more damage to Volkswagen’s reputation. The question is whether or not this move would regain the public’s trust. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see about this one.
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