SAN FRANCISCO and SACRAMENTO, Calif. -

As the California Air Resources Board (CARB) rejected a proposal from Volkswagen on how to modify some of the vehicles included in “Dieselgate,” the newest consumer survey from buyer intelligence firm Autolist.com indicated 50 percent of impacted owners are satisfied with the reparations payments.

Autolist.com also highlighted 49 percent of scandal-affected owners plan to take advantage of VW’s buyback offer, which is all part of the automaker’s nearly $15 billion settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department.

Site officials highlighted some comments from VW diesel vehicle owners who participated in the survey. The assessments might be welcomed to franchised dealers who will be on the front lines of unwinding contracts and making repairs once a solution is finalized.

“I think that the fact that they are offering a settlement to the affected customers is a good display of gratitude and empathy for customers,” one participant said.

Another surveyed owner said, “I don’t feel cheated. May car will get fixed when they come up with a resolution, but I will also get cash back. I hold no anger towards Volkswagen.”

Also in the positive column, this participant added, “I love my Golf TDI and I am upset that all of this emission scandal has happened to Volkswagen. I hold no anger toward Volkswagen.”

Well, that last commenter doesn’t quite hold the same viewpoint as some others that Autolist.com mentioned. Site officials mentioned a trio in particular that might make VW dealers cringe.

“While I feel like the settlement is better than nothing, it will not make me whole,” one VW diesel owner said. “I definitely don’t think that I would purchase a VW in the future because of this scandal.”

The view from another participant might result in that particular VW owner going to the dealership of a foreign-badge competitor.

“I always thought of VW as a very honest company,” the owner said. “I paid a significantly higher amount for my TDI thinking it would be better for the environment. I will stick with Hondas and Nissans from now on.”

Another participant wants more than just compensation.

“The executives up to the highest levels who allowed this to happen should be fired and prosecuted and, if convicted, sent to jail,” the owner said.

The sentiment of those last three owners are likely part of the group that dragged down survey figures showing how VW owners felt about the brand before and after the situation came to light. Here are the Autolist.com survey metrics:

 

Before Scandal

 Today Difference
 Unfavorable  7 percent  34 percent  up 26 percent
 Indifferent  15 percent  28 percent  up 13 percent
 Favorable  79 percent  39 percent  down 39 percent

Latest regulator development in California

About the time Autolist.com released its survey findings, CARB rejected proposed recall plans submitted by Volkswagen/Audi and Porsche for repair of undisclosed Auxiliary Emission Control Devices (AECDs) and defeat devices in 3.0 liter, diesel vehicles for model years 2009 through 2016. Officials indicated this decision impacts about 16,000 3.0 liter diesel Volkswagens, Audis and Porsches sold in California.

CARB staff said it has determined that the proposed recall plans submitted by the OEMs are incomplete and deficient in a number of areas, including:

• Adequately describe the nonconformities and undisclosed AECDs/defeat devices on the affected vehicles

• Sufficiently describe the remedial procedure for affected vehicles

• Provide a meaningful estimated capture rate in California

• Specify the system by which VW will ensure the availability of sufficient repair parts to institute the proposed fixes

• Contain the impact of proposed fixes on fuel economy, drivability, performance and safety

• Describe the impact of repairs on emissions, particularly average noncompliance emission levels, average emission reductions per pollutant, and an average emission level after proposed fixes

• Demonstrate how the proposed fixes are designed to correct the nonconformities

• Provide onboard diagnostic system demonstration data

• Demonstrate how the plan is designed to correct the nonconformities in an expeditious manner

• Provide sufficient detail for GARB to evaluate the feasibility and success of the proposed plan

CARB, in conjunction with EPA, added in a letter that will continue the on-going technical discussions with the automakers through the enforcement process to ensure “a legally and technically acceptable resolution is reached which fully mitigates the excess emissions.”