Introduction to Business
Introduction to Business
OER 2018 Edition
ISBN: 9781947172548
Author: OpenStax
Publisher: OpenStax College
Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 1, Problem 1EA

Ethics Activity

Historically, diesel cars have not been big sellers in the U.S. auto market, mainly because their engines couldn't pass the strict emissions standards set up the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. But that all changed in 2005, when German automaker Volkswagen make a decided push to develop "clean diesel" engines, specifically manufactured to meet strict U.S. emissions standards.

By 2010, VW had introduced several models of diesel cars in the United States, and their sales helped propel Volkswagen to the number two slot in global auto sales, after Toyota and ahead of GM. While VW was receiving major media attention for its clean diesel models, researchers from West Virginia University discovered that these so-called clean engines had been constructed with a "defeat device" −software that could actually tell when the car was being tested off road for emissions and lower the level of emissions that harm the environment.

By December 2014, Volkswagen agreed to voluntarily recall more than a half-million clean diesel cars in the United States to address the emissions issues. But the scandal continued to escalate, with accusations that senior management knew about the rigged engines, and VW's CEO resigned and several other executives were fired.

Class-action lawsuits and other litigation followed, and in April 2017, VW agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement, which included a criminal fine of $2.8 billion, as well as various buyback plans for the affected diesel cars. In addition, over the last several years, VW has experienced a significant decline in U.S. sales and it now trying to win back customers.

Using a web search tool, locate information about this topic, and then write responses to the following questions. Be sure to support your arguments and cite your sources.

Ethical Dilemma: How can VW ensure that its diesel now comply with U.S. emissions standards? What can VW do to regain consumers' confidence after this worldwide scandal? Do you agree with the billions of dollars in fines that VW will have to pay to move beyond the emissions debacle?

Source: "VW Diesel Crisis: Timeline of Events," https://www.cars.com, May 19, 2017; Jack Ewing, "Inside VW's Campaign of Trickery," The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com, May 7, 2017; Christoph Rauwald, "How a Top-Secret Deal Could Have Stopped VW's Diesel Scandal." Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberg.com, January 12, 2017; "6 VW Excecs Indicated as Carmaker Agrees to $4.3 Billion Diesel Cheat Settlement," Fortune, https://fortune.com, January 12, 2017; Geoffrey Smith and Roger Parloff, "Hoaxwagen: Inside Volkswagen's Diesel Fraud," Fortune, https://fortune.com, March 7, 2016.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To explain:

The way company can ensure that the cars comply with the emission standards of the U.S. The way company can regain the confidence of consumers after this scandal and whether the amount of fine is justified.

Introduction:

The concept of ethics stands in between the two extremes of codified law and personal freedom. It refers to what is considered to be as correct behavior based on the societies interpretation. When the society interprets things differently, what was once the standard for ethics can change over time, for example, slavery in the 18th century or smoking in the 19th century.

Explanation of Solution

VW has always been a trusted brand in vehicle manufacturing. They have positioned themselves as company that is in the forefront of European vehicle manufacturing with superior technology and luxury through reputed brands.

However, there is no doubt that they broke the law and were highly unethical in their practices which forced the customers to move away from the brand. Even though VW has admitted to the wrong doing and has paid fines of billions of dollars they are yet to fix the problem of customer trust. In the minds of the customer, VW is a company that has rigged regulatory bodies to gain sale advantages.

There are several things that VW can do to regain customer trust. Firstly, they must be open about what took place in the organization through an unbiased investigation and make those details available for the public. Secondly, they can obtain 3rd party certifications about the emission results and prove that they are not harmful. Finally,they can invest in CSR activities that amends the image of VW by showing that they care about the environment and the society and not just the bottom line.

The fines imposed on VW is a first step in bring the organization on track. However 4.8 billion dollars is not a major loss for a company like VW. Therefore, there should be more strict legal action such as criminal charges against executives involved, regulatory scrutiny on VW activity and embargos to send out a stronger message.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What are impaired assets and its pros and cons?
Ming Chen started a business and had the following transactions in June. a. Owner invested $60,000 cash in the company along with $15,000 of equipment. b. The company paid $2,000 cash for rent of office space for the month. c. The company purchased $18,000 of additional equipment on credit (payment due within 30 days). d. The company completed work for a client and immediately collected $1,600 cash. e. The company completed work for a client and sent a bill for $7,300 to be received within 30 days. f. The company purchased additional equipment for $5,000 cash. g. The company paid an assistant $2,400 cash as wages for the month. h. The company collected $4,500 cash as a partial payment for the amount owed by the client in transaction e. i. The company paid $18,000 cash to settle the liability created in transaction c. j. The owner withdrew $1,500 cash from the company for personal use.
Do intoxicated rehab patients have the mental capacity to enter contracts?  For example, The mother of a 23-year-old young man who died while in a residential drug and alcohol treatment home in Las Vegas is blaming rehab behemoth American Addiction Center’s business model for her son’s death.   The suit alleges that AAC was “motivated by greed and their own financial self-interests,” and  “advertised and promoted that AAC Defendants provided medical services for which they were not licensed or qualified to provide.”

Chapter 1 Solutions

Introduction to Business

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
MARKETING 2018
Marketing
ISBN:9780357033753
Author:Pride
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Principles of Management
Management
ISBN:9780998625768
Author:OpenStax
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Foundations of Business (MindTap Course List)
Marketing
ISBN:9781337386920
Author:William M. Pride, Robert J. Hughes, Jack R. Kapoor
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Operations Management
ISBN:9781285869681
Author:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Marketing
Marketing
ISBN:9780357033791
Author:Pride, William M
Publisher:South Western Educational Publishing