Volkswagen yesterday ‘accidentally’ published a press release that revealed the automaker’s plans to change its name in the U.S. to Voltswagen.
Many thought it was a joke given it was just days away from April 1st, but VW doubled down on the name change officially publishing a press release saying it will come into effect in May 2021.
CEO of Voltswagen America Scott Keogh explained the reason for the rebranding was to embrace the company’s shift to an electric future.
“We might be changing out our K for a T, but what we aren’t changing is this brand’s commitment to making best-in-class vehicles for drivers and people everywhere. The idea of a ‘people’s car’ is the very fabric of our being. We have said, from the beginning of our shift to an electric future, that we will build EVs for the millions, not just millionaires. This name change signifies a nod to our past as the peoples’ car and our firm belief that our future is in being the peoples’ electric car.”
Even with a press release and VW changing its website, it turns out it was a poorly executed April Fool’s joke.
The “joke” was confirmed by VW officials in Germany. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal following yesterday’s news, one of the company officials said no name change would happen and that it was just an early prank.
“It’s a premature April Fool’s joke. It’s part of a marketing campaign for the ID.4. There will be no name change,” said one of the unnamed employees.
Now VW will be known for not only installing cheat devices on diesel vehicles to cheat emissions tests, otherwise known as Dieselgate, they’ll also be known for lying about Voltswagen.
https://twitter.com/VW/status/1376868756782219266
Editor’s note: An original version of this article said VW confirmed the name change. The title and content have been updated to reflect the truth.
