Volkswagen Scandal
Why would a highly successful automobile manufacturing company -- the largest car company in the world, having overtaken Toyota in early 2015 -- deliberately and stealthily develop technologies that hide the truth about carbon-related emissions? And what are the financial and social ramifications of the deception that Volkswagen engaged in? This research paper has the objective of reviewing the Volkswagen Company, its history, its success, and its decision to create software that cleverly -- yet demonically -- hides the fact that diesel exhaust is dirty, fouls the air, and fails to meet clean air standards.
The technical decision-making process at Volkswagen is clearly among the corporate culprits that contributed to this enormous scandal. But moreover, the executive decision-makers, and the board of directors share responsibility for the shaming firestorm of public outcries that followed revelations of this scandal.
Statement of the Problem
Volkswagen had made plans to launch a massive marketing campaign in the United States in 2005, promoting its diesel vehicles; but when the company learned that its autos would not meet the " ... strict nitrogen oxide requirements in the U.S. within the required time frame and budget," the company had to make adjustments to its cars' emissions (McGinty, 2016). That decision ultimately led to the massive public relations nightmare that resulted from revelations of the deceptive software installed to mask the true amount of emissions.
Hence, the problem that Volkswagen faced in terms of meeting emission standards led to decisions that ultimately proved not only embarrassing but costly -- both in financial and image-related issues. Stakeholders in this case, the Volkswagen owners, dealers, and vendors supplying parts and service, were left with significant problems; but the bigger problems were to be borne by the manufacturers of these automobiles.
Intended Audience -- Value to the Audience
This paper will review the history of the Volkswagen automobile, the decisions made to hide the true amount of emissions, and the current crisis for the company and the company's management hierarchy. Any consumer that plans to buy an auto, or is simply interested in the business and environmental side of automobiles -- and seeks...
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