VW’s Rep Improves Some With Settlement

Autolist VW TDI owners feedback sample (Credit: Autolist)

Now that Volkswagen has finally offered a settlement to Dieselgate TDI owners, the real story is how the whole scandal will affect the automaker now and in the long run. There are many ways to look at that, but one of the most important is how TDI owners feel about the brand.

Surprisingly, TDI owners overall have a favorable view of VW, according to a survey conducted by Autolist. About half of the respondents think the settlement payment offered to them is fair, with just under half saying they’ll probably go with the buyback option (a move I think is wise).

Before you think people with TDIs that were part of Dieselgate are feeling all warm and fuzzy about VW, know that Autolist found a 26 percent increase in negative viewpoints of the automaker and a 39 percent drop in positive viewpoints.

Those numbers could get worse in the near future, thanks to 3.0-liter TDIs sitting in limbo in California. CARB says Volkswagen’s plans to fix the vehicles don’t follow legal requirements to prove the cars won’t spew out excessive pollution. That affects some Audi and Porsche models too, leaving owners to wonder what’s going to happen next.

Other automakers can really capitalize on the Dieselgate fallout and scoop up some disenchanted VW customers. At least one TDI owner told Autolist that only Hondas and Nissans will be under consideration in the future.