Background:
In order to achieve the criteria of Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Volkswagen cheated in the emissions tests in USA by installing ‘defeat devices’ during the period of 2008 and 2015, until Volkswagen’s behaviors were exposed recently.
As a result, Volkswagen is not only facing massive pecuniary loss such as billions in fine and stocks fell, but has also sullied the reputation of ‘German made’. According to EPA, Volkswagen might face civil fines of up to $18 billion for violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act [1]. Besides, the automaker’s stock has lost more than 30 percent of its value since the EPA firstly alleged Volkswagen’s cheating behavior [1]. What’s more, the chief executive of Volkswagen Martin Winterkorn resigned due to the scandal.
Personal opinion:
From my point of view, an enterprise should obey local laws, rules, stipulations, social norms, and keep up with high standard business integrity in its production and operation, meanwhile, each enterprise must have social responsibilities, such as environmental protection and equal competition. Nevertheless, I have to admit that the cheating behavior of Volkswagen really disappoints both customers and environmentalists, and Volkswagen deserves all the possible fines and negative consequences. At last, action talks more. I do hope the high executives and management staff of Volkswagen must consider and take real measures to resolve the engine problems of their products instead of delivering endless and useless apologies.
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