A Closer Look at the Volkswagen Goodwill Package for Diesel Owners
And what one diesel driver thinks of it.
Back in November, Volkswagen said it would offer "Goodwill" packages to drivers affected by its diesel emissions scandal. If you were curious, here's a glimpse of what it looks like.
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The package includes a $500 prepaid Visa card that can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, a $500 card for use at Volkswagen of America dealerships, and 24-hour roadside assistance for 3 years. These benefits go to those who owned or leased an affected diesel car as of November 8, 2015. Drivers must register by April 30 to participate in the Goodwill program, and both cards expire 1 year after the date of issuance. The documents then give some routine procedural info, including that there's a $5 fee for replacing a lost card.
VW also takes time to answer common questions consumers might have about suing the automaker. "Affected customers eligible for the Goodwill Package are not required to waive their rights or release their claims against Volkswagen Group of America in order to receive the Package," the fine print states. So in short, yes, you can still sue VW. In another part of the package, specifically at the end of the Cardholder Agreement, drivers are asked to waive their right to trial by jury. But asAutomotive Newspreviously reported, that waiver is only intended to apply to disputes regarding the compensation program, not the larger diesel emissions issue. And the Cardholder Agreement, including that clause, is solely between the customer and Metabank, VW says.
We asked an owner of a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI his thoughts about the Goodwill package he received in the mail. While he says the package is pretty straightforward, he's not completely satisfied because the automaker still hasn't recalled the affected cars.
"If we were in a position to need to sell this car, which we may be soon, then I am losing out on a significant amount of money," the owner told us via email. "Last year, just before this happened, we were getting offers from VW dealerships to buy our car and private sales were extremely easy and the cars had great value. All that is gone now and I am stuck with a car that meets my immediate needs, but may not in the very near future." He says he would still consider buying a VW in the future, as long as VW finds a fix and resale values are reasonable.
Keep in mind that after Volkswagen announced a Goodwill package for 2.0-liter diesel cars, it said it would also offer a Goodwill package for drivers of cars with 3.0-liter V-6 TDI engines. The deal mirrors that offered to the first round of customers.
Let us know your thoughts on the Volkswagen Goodwill package in the comments below.
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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