{"id":2114,"date":"2017-01-04T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2017-01-04T14:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/?p=2114"},"modified":"2017-01-04T09:00:55","modified_gmt":"2017-01-04T14:00:55","slug":"vw-settlement-crucial-things-dealers-need-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/blog\/vw-settlement-crucial-things-dealers-need-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The VW Settlement: 10 Crucial Things Dealers Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Volkswagen\u2019s error has cost the company billions of dollars, but the VW settlement could mean profit for your dealership if you follow all the rules.<\/h2>\n

Until recently, Volkswagen had a pristine reputation in the auto industry. They were viewed as a reliable, trusted brand with a legion of loyal followers. Unfortunately, the company found out firsthand what happens when you lie to consumers<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 a lot of negative publicity and a multi-billion-dollar VW settlement.<\/p>\n

VW has earned a top spot with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), but it\u2019s not for any of the good work it\u2019s done. Volkswagen holds the distinction of being the largest false advertising<\/a> case in FTC history. In September 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered that many VW cars being sold in the U.S. had a \u201cdefeat device\u201d installed in diesel engines to cheat emissions tests. These are the same cars marketed by VW in a massive campaign that touted their low emissions. VW has now admitted that about 11 million cars worldwide were fitted with the \u201cdefeat device.\u201d<\/p>\n

A year later, in fall of 2016, a VW settlement went into effect to get justice for some Volkswagen and Audi owners. Volkswagen has agreed to pay up to $10 billion to owners and lessees of VW and Audi 2.0-liter diesel cars it falsely claimed had low levels of harmful emissions.<\/p>\n

As a car dealer, you have the opportunity to benefit from the VW settlement \u2014 but you need to know the rules, so you don\u2019t end up in trouble as well.<\/p>\n

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The fine print: What your team has to know about the VW settlement<\/h3>\n

The VW settlement is a big deal, so if anyone is working at your dealership that doesn\u2019t know about it, you need to make sure they do. Nothing will discredit your industry expertise faster than having an employee that\u2019s unaware of one of the biggest auto manufacturer blunders of all time.<\/p>\n

Prep your staff for how to handle customers that come in with questions about the VW settlement, or have received their settlement and want to buy a new car. Here are ten things you need to know:<\/p>\n

1. Everyone has to start at www.vwcourtsettlement.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This website is the hub for the VW settlement and it\u2019s where drivers can find out if their cars are eligible and file a claim if they are.<\/p>\n

2. You can\u2019t imply your dealership is affiliated with the settlement.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may run a Volkswagen dealership, but you are not allowed to suggest \u2014 in person, or in your marketing and advertising materials \u2014 that your business has any \u201cofficial\u201d or \u201cauthorized\u201d role in the settlement.<\/p>\n

3. Owners and lessees have two options.<\/strong><\/p>\n

VW is offering either a car buyback (or early lease termination), plus cash, or they can make a modification to the current vehicle to improve emissions, plus cash. VW anticipates that most people will choose the buyback option.<\/p>\n

4. Dealerships are eligible to receive buybacks, too.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you aren\u2019t a VW or Audi dealership, but you have eligible cars sitting on your lot right now, you might be able to receive a buyback. Go to the vwcourtsettlement.com website and enter the VINs of all the cars.<\/p>\n

5. Only certain VW and Audi cars are eligible.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have customers coming in who want to know if their cars are part of the settlement, tell them they need to confirm for sure on vwcourtsettlement.com, but that in general, these are the 2.0-liter TDI engine vehicles that qualify:<\/p>\n