Skip to main content

Eight ways Volkswagen can regain their customers’ trust

In the light of Volkswagen's concession of corporate wrongdoing in circumventing EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) testing in the US, Frost & Sullivan has proposed eight strategies the company can utilise to regain consumer trust, fuel sales volumes and develop sustainable revenue growth opportunities. Frost & Sullivan says developments in clean diesel technology and internal combustion engines (ICE) have been substantially pushed back by years. The immediate impact of this crisis goes beyond Volkswa
October 6, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
In the light of 994 Volkswagen's concession of corporate wrongdoing in circumventing EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) testing in the US, 2097 Frost & Sullivan has proposed eight strategies the company can utilise to regain consumer trust, fuel sales volumes and develop sustainable revenue growth opportunities.

Frost & Sullivan says developments in clean diesel technology and internal combustion engines (ICE) have been substantially pushed back by years. The immediate impact of this crisis goes beyond Volkswagen and the US reaching OEMs, many component suppliers, dealerships, regulatory authorities and testing agencies.

It proposes that Volkswagen should: Focus on emerging markets; Position hybrid and electric powertrain as priorities; Focus on passenger safety; Position the company as a pioneer in sustainable mobility and synthetic fuels; Treat connected cars as a basic and major focal point; Bring 2125 Audi, 1656 Porsche, and other brands to the fore; Increase focus of commercial vehicle business; Conduct rigorous voluntary emission testing and certification.

“The Volkswagen crisis could have far-reaching implications for the future of diesel powertrain, resulting in even more stringent regulations and higher investment costs,” said Frost & Sullivan Automotive & Transportation senior research analyst Arun Chandranath. “Costs for carmakers to comply with emissions requirements could rise and consumers could be turned off by diesel cars.”

The automotive industry was prepared for an anti-diesel sentiment with the shift in new technologies making them more efficient and environmentally friendly than some gasoline vehicles. Auto regulators have been more focused on climate change and greenhouse emissions than concerned for public health and air quality. Regulators are under immense pressure to ensure higher standards and to restore credibility.

“Recovery will not be easy for the world’s largest auto manufacturer, however transparency and communication is essential for Volkswagen to win back the market and consumer trust,” concludes Chandranath. “Volkswagen’s recovery is critical for the overall health of the automotive industry.  Currently, Volkswagen is standing trial, but everyone’s future is at stake.”

More information on Frost & Sullivan’s insight into the Volkswagen crisis can be found on their %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal website Visit registration page false http://ow.ly/T3Kw4 false false%>.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Driverless cars will be on UK roads within four years, says minister
    October 4, 2018
    Fully driverless cars will enter the UK in three to four years, says transport secretary Chris Grayling at the Conservative Party conference in the city of Birmingham. A report by Reuters says Grayling is committed to ending the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040. “Newer diesel cars today are cleaner than ever before and of course there will be a role for diesel for many years to come as technology evolves,” Grayling adds. However, OpenText has carried out a survey of 2,000 UK consumers,
  • Austrian Ministry of Transport to bring Gerd Leonhard to TRA 2018
    January 25, 2018
    The Austrian Ministry of Transport will bring author and futurist Gerd Leonhard to the Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2018 in Vienna where he will speak about the importance of new technologies and the role of humans in the digital world of mobility. This year’s overall theme is on digitalisation in mobility and will focus on the compatibility between technology and user-friendly mobility.
  • German ITS and telematics associations talk merger at Congress
    October 24, 2012
    Board delegations from ITS Germany and ITS Network Germany are at World Congress this week discussing a merger of the two associations. ITS Germany represents singular members of transport telematics companies, while the ITS Network acts as the umbrella organisation of regional and thematic associations. As a visible sign of intentions, ITS Germany and ITS Network share a stand at World Congress in Vienna this week. Both parties have agreed that current developments in European transport, particularly the E
  • Integrated traffic management solutions from Swarco
    October 15, 2012
    Swarco will use its ITS World Congress exhibition stand to focus on the company’s integrated solutions capabilities in urban and interurban traffic management, parking and e-mobility and public transport. The company’s Omnia all-in-one solution for intelligent traffic management will be on display as will its solution for energy-efficient intelligent street lighting. A premiere is a joint application of carmaker BMW with road operator Asfinag and signage specialist Swarco to foster knowledge about the Rettu