PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen event sabotaged by Greenpeace

As the world's motoring media flocked to the Volkswagen exhibit at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, a handful of Greenpeace activists snuck into the convention centre, made their way into the roof space and unfurled a giant banner condemning Volkswagen's polluting ways.

The banner read "Volkswagen nous enfume" or "Volkswagen pollutes us".

As all eyes turned away from the unveiling of Volkswagen's new ultra-efficient BlueMotion Golf and towards the bright yellow banner, the audacious stunt stole Volkswagen's thunder.

Several Greenpeace activists mingling in the crowd also released helium filled balloons that read 'Das problem', a play on the European auto giant's 'Das auto' catchphrase.

Volkswagen Australia's Managing Director, Anke Koeckler, was present at the event and witnessed the disturbance first hand alongside motoring.com.au journalists, but said it was not a big issue for the car maker, insisting that the Volkswagen Group had good relations with Greenpeace.

"We have a very close and good relationship with Greenpeace and are both on the same page, in that we try to put emphasis on the environment, and as you know our cars are fulfilling those environmental requirements."

Asked if the disruption to the multi-million dollar motor show presentation reflected poorly on the Volkswagen brand, Ms Koeckler said it didn't.

"No. As you have seen, the presentation was ended very normally because they have this relationship [and discuss issues with Greenpeace] on a regular basis."

Ms Koeckler said she had "no idea" how the activists infiltrated the motor show exhibit.

The disruption to the global reveal of the new BlueMotion and Golf GTI models is part of a major campaign being run by Greenpeace in Europe, initiated after VW's decision to challenge European Union caps on CO2 emissions.

Read more Paris Motor Show stories at motoring.com.au

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