VW's US 'goodwill' package won't be offered here

Volkswagen Group of America has announced a 'Goodwill Package' worth $US1000 for US owners of 2.0-litre diesel-powered cars affected by the Dieselgate scandal, but Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) says the same olive branch won't be extended to local customers.

That's because while US owners of EA189 diesel-powered cars continue to wait news on how their vehicles will be rectified to meet tighter US emissions standards, VGA announced a voluntary recall of almost 100,000 affected vehicles in Australia on October 9 and expects to complete the recall work between February and the end of next year.

"Customers who own one of the affected diesel vehicles in the US and Canada will be receiving a voucher for [dealer] services worth $US500 plus a $US500 pre-paid credit card," a VGA spokesman told motoring.com.au today.

"As the vehicles in the US and Canada are subject to a significantly more stringent emissions legislation they will consequently have to wait longer for remedies than is the case in most other countries.

"Locally we haven’t announced a program as Volkswagen AG is putting together a package of measures for each market designed to achieve high customer satisfaction.

"Over and above the vehicle recall work, Volkswagen Group Australia will be backing it up with the best of customer support in conjunction with our dealers."

VGA a month ago publicly apologised to Australian owners for the Dieselgate debacle three weeks after it was exposed, and suspended sales of vehicles fitted with 1.6 and 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines incorporating illegal software designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions when tested.

At the same time it announced a voluntary recall of customer versions of those models and identified them via a search tool on its public website so customers could verify if their vehicle was affected.

In all Down Under, a total of 99,678 vehicles are affected, including 61,189 Volkswagen passenger vehicles, 17,256 Volkswagen commercial vehicles, 5148 Skodas and 16,085 Audis.

Vehicles confirmed to include an emissions-cheating 'defeat code' include diesel versions of the Volkswagen Jetta, B7 Passat, CC, Tiguan and Caddy, and the diesel-powered Skoda Yeti and Superb.

Unaffected Volkswagen models include the 2015-2016 model year Golf 7 TDI and all Touareg, Amarok, Multivan, Transporter, Crafter and new (B8) Passat models, the Skoda Fabia, Rapid and Octavia, and all petrol-powered VW and Skoda models.

A global total of more than 11 million vehicles are affected, including about 482,000 2.0-litre diesel VW and Audi vehicles in the US, where the 'goodwill' package covers only affected VW-brand vehicles from the 2009-15 model years. Audi plans to announce a similar program in the US on November 13.

Volkswagen Group of America's financial offering comprises a $US500 ($A710) pre-paid Visa credit card, a ‘store credit’ to the same value and an additional three years of free roadside assistance.

“Over the past several weeks, we’ve apologized to our loyal customers about the 2.0L TDI emissions issue. As we work tirelessly to develop a remedy, we ask for your continued patience,” said the company in a statement.

“Affected customers eligible for the Goodwill Package are not required to waive their rights or release their claims against VWGoA in order to receive the Package.”

VW has set aside a $US11 billion war chest to deal with the Dieselgate scam and the 'goodwill' offer will cost the company around $US500 million ($A710 million) if all eligible US owners take up the offer.

This on top of a $US2000 ($A3000) offer made by VW US last month to existing owners towards the purchase of a new Volkswagen petrol or hybrid model.

It also excludes about 30 class action law suits in the US, seven in the UK and at least two in Australia, where up to 10,000 owners are seeking a full refund of their vehicle's purchase price.