VW Scandal

[Yorkie]

It's inevitable that when makers are allowed to carry out their own  unsepervised unaudited tests, that there will be an irresistable urge to find every dodge in the book to skew the results favourably. It's inconceivable that the rest of the VAG group won't be similarly affected, and almost certainly other makes too.

I'd read some while ago how they're up to all sorts of stunts to skew the MPG favourably in tests, such as taking off widscreen wipers and taping up the gaps around doors to improve the aerodynamics.

I don't think the average driver gives a hoot about these things. If they were concerned about fuel economy, they would 'read the road' much better and would accelerate and decelerate  much more smoothly. A 10% improvement in MPG = at least 10p a Litre off fuel, but few choose to modify their driving habits.

Really, for VW, this isn't about performance figures, its about trust in the brand.

Quite simply, trust is like virgiity - when it's gone, it's gone. VW have well and truly blown it - they can sack as many bosses as they like, pay any fines that are imposed, but they'll never be abe to  'put humpty dumpty back together again'.  Ironic that this is simply about diesel  NOX emmisions as I understand it, and diesel cars are only 3% of the US market. Quite novel too, that the USA - the most profligate consumer and polluter on the globe apart from perhaps China, should have unearthed this dodge, and  made such a big deal about it. American car firms would  never stoop to such a thing would they? No - of course not - squeaky clean in all respects, I'm sure. (cough, cough).

How individual car buyers react is another thing altogether. As a very satisfied Skoda Fabia owner, it won't have any bearing on my future buying decisions. When I come to change my car next year, as things stand, it will be another Skoda.

I'm sure this scandal has legs, and will run and run.