NCJ Number
121087
Journal
Trial Volume: 25 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1989) Pages: 87-91
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Using Volkswagon's Audi as an example, this article details how automobile manufacturers use public relations schemes to avoid responsibility for defective and dangerous automobiles.
Abstract
Audi advertisements are used to illustrate Volkswagon's method of handling defects in the Audi, especially a problem known as sudden acceleration. The advertisements attributed the defective operation of Audi automobiles to pedal misapplication by drivers and cited support for this view from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Audi recalls were made but Volkswagon inspectors claimed to find no acceleration problems. When the issue of defective operation and subsequent injury was tried in court, however, the Volkswagon company was found to be at fault. The article traces the corporate behavior of the Volkswagon company through four recalls and concludes that the company persistently failed to accept responsibility for the faulty design of its cars. 25 footnotes.