Following the scandal regarding the emissions of their diesel-powered vehicles, Volkswagen has vowed to buy back a total of 400,000 cars. So far, the company has reacquired 300,000 TDI cars from their former owners, and the large amounts of cars are currently parked in 37 lots across the US.
The company is intent on reselling the vehicles after having upgraded the infamous emissions systems.
However, a car sitting stationary for a long amount of time can degrade faster. The seals on containers will dry out, leading to leaks. The tires will also begin to decay, and animals might move into the vehicles.
Reporters at Green Car Reports have reached out to the German company with these concerns in mind. They were curious to find out how Volkswagen intended to keep the cars in usable conditions, and what their plans were for reselling.
Volkswagen has responded that the resale of the used cars is planned to be very gradual. Indeed, putting up all three-hundred-thousand vehicles for sale at once will lead to an extreme surplus and dramatic price drops. As such, Volkswagen states that they will remain conscious about and keep an eye on the market demand so they can provide supply according to that.
First and foremost, the used cars will be available at Volkswagen dealerships. They will be offered with an unlimited certified warranty valid for two years—something that other resale dealerships cannot offer. Furthermore, all of the resold TDI cars will come with a 48,000 mile emissions warranty, valid for four years.
Other vehicles are planned to be resold at auction houses for used cars, and they may also arrive in local lots for used cars.
The 300,000 cars are likely to be very appealing to new customers, as they are still relatively new with only a few miles on their clocks.
However, the German company also states that some of the vehicles will be ‘responsibly recycled,’ leading people to believe that they will end up in junkyards and will be dismantled.
Vehicles waiting for their turn to be sold will not sit completely idly, either. Volkswagen revealed that they have contracted a logistics processor firm that will maintain the cars. Every 30 days, a car will be started, taken for a drive on the parking lot, and also washed.
Those looking to buy a TDI car now have the chance. If done through Volkswagen dealerships, the vehicle will also come with attractive warranties.
