VW are protesting against us!

Posted by jamess - 15 September 2011 at 2:42pm - Comments

by. Credit: Greenpeace

Our banner at Frankfurt Motor Show and VW's counter protest!

You'd struggle to make this up.

Moments ago, our activists dropped a huge banner at the Frankfurt motor show - the biggest in the world - to highlight VW's hypocrisy over its environmental policy (more info here).

Then something spectacular happened.

Volkwagen's PR gurus told a bunch of their staff to head out with their own placards, staging a counter-protest against our action.

You have to squint a little to see them there, but they lend a nice sense of perspective to the picture.

There's even a grassroots sense to it - what with different sized placards and all. It's just a bit of a shame for them that they forgot all the giant logos underneath their balcony - Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche - which are all brands of the Volkswagen empire.

So while VW's astroturfing demo is one way of communicating with us, we think it'd be much easier to sit around a meeting table - something Volkswagen has been refusing to do for two months.

What do you think - PR score or fail?

UPDATE - TAKE ACTION: CALL VW NOW!

Grab your phone and call Volkswagen now on 0800 333 666 and tell them to stop their lobbying. (If you're outside the UK, find your national office here).

Here are a couple of talking points:

Why is VW lobbying against 30% greenhouse gas cuts in Europe?
(We need it to fight climate change and even a study by the German Government says it will create thousands of jobs)
Why is VW lobbying against stronger car efficiency standards?
(ACEA, the lobby group that VW is at the heart of, is lobbying against a target of 95g CO2/Km)

BEWARE: Volkswagen will try and talk about their efficient cars (a tiny minority of the ones they sell) as examples of why they’re green.

Ask them why if they’re so 'green', they’re lobbying against these critical environmental laws!

Let us know how you get on in the comments.

Article tagged as: climate change, frankfurt, go beyond oil, iaa, oil, volkswagen, VW, VWDarkside

Comments Commenting is now closed

Haha. Fail. If you can't read what the signs say at a distance then it almost looks like they're part of the Greenpeace protest!

By Jesse Sutton - 15 September 2011 at 2:54pm

2 people agree

FAIL

By Rebecca Henderson - 15 September 2011 at 3:06pm

FAIL! EPIC FAIL! They could take a few lessons how how its really done!

By Rebecca Henderson - 15 September 2011 at 3:08pm

FAIL

By Leo P Vicious - 15 September 2011 at 3:20pm

Bless 'em, it is pretty grassroots, they're too used to lah-di-dah-ing over cups of tea to know how to protest effectively..

By mglinearart - 15 September 2011 at 3:23pm

Awww. I don't know, I think it's rather sweet. At least they're having a go.

What, you wouldn't want them to make it easy for you and spoil all your fun, would you?!

Slightly more seriously, if they think they've got legitimate reasons for criticising the protest, 'protesting the protest' is entirely valid. What they need to do *more* of though is showing that what Greenpeace is saying is wrong, with evidence. If they have no evidence to suggest company adaptation and change away from damaging practices, they're stuffed, and the protest is pointless and laughable.

By Zoonie - 15 September 2011 at 3:29pm

1 person agrees

Haha, its so funny, they're the small ones now, cos in the world of protests Greenpeace is king!

http://vwdarkside.com/en/jedi/max-reboul-53105

By maximus - 15 September 2011 at 3:36pm

Ah, bless. If only they'd put their efforts into tackling climate change...

By Dave Hubble - 15 September 2011 at 3:42pm

1 person agrees

Fail, they continue the game of no consciousness and blatantly ignoring thier greedy motives

By Blaine C - 15 September 2011 at 4:05pm

It's fun to see a large company with their pants down. Normally companies always respond to complaints and allegations with enough time to carefully prepare and formulate political correct responses and statements but now they had to act immediately and that leaves VW in an embarrasing position.

By Justin1978 - 15 September 2011 at 4:26pm

2 people agree

FAIL.......keep the banner up guys!!!

By LadyRoisin - 15 September 2011 at 4:44pm

1 person agrees

*looks at big banner* Impressive! *looks at small banners* MOST impressive! *sarcasm*

By RomanTheRebel - 15 September 2011 at 4:49pm

I have to confess that they look like Subbuteo/Hornby protesters...

By dshubble - 15 September 2011 at 4:52pm

FAIL - rule 1 is the best way to resolve differences is to talk; mind you, that does involve listening.

By Jothma - 15 September 2011 at 5:10pm

1 person agrees

They are only young padawans, be indulgent all of you...It's so cute to see them trying. Just watch out that the bad side and the money don't turn them into a powerful army...

By Nico - 15 September 2011 at 5:28pm

Fail.. We've got a reaction, and quite a big, public one at that. We are not being ignored. This can only do our cause good. It's extra publicity and is, in fact, a very basic form of diologue.

By peterpipe - 15 September 2011 at 7:15pm

Well it's their right to do so too, their situation in the company must be very hard to endure since the beginning of the campaign against vw :(

By Silfa - 15 September 2011 at 8:27pm

I am a bit amazed at the Greenpeace campaing, to be honest. After all, the Diesel engines and Blue Motion engines of VW are exceptionally good. Which alternative engines do you guys have in mind when you say that VW lags behind the competition? I suppose hybrids? Those are not without severe environmental consequences, either. And really... to showcase Ikea as a company that is for new carbon emission regulations strikes me as a bit odd. Don't get me wrong, I want the regulation just as much as everyone supporting Greenpeace, but Ikea is still producing some of the worst health hazzards in children's rooms and bedrooms out there! Are you seriously saying that Ikea is a good example of environmental conscience?

What buggs me with Greenpeace - and both the article here along with the comments supports that impression - is this selfrighteousness. It has put off many green minded folks for decades. I am a biologist, deeply concerned about the environment, but I find that Greenpeace more often than not does more damage than help.

By Sharky - 16 September 2011 at 1:02am

Thanks for all the comments.

@sharky - this isn't a campaign for hybrids. Volkswagen is lobbying against critical environmental laws at the European level. On the issue of 30% greenhouse gas cuts, there are many companies - some that might appear surprising - that support these targets. That's what makes it all the more outrageous that VW - a company that cultivates a green image - is lobbying against them.

By jamess - 16 September 2011 at 9:43am

1 person agrees

I don't understand what's so funny about VW counter campaigning? This is what you guys do par excellence.

It seems more than a little hypocritical to poke fun at them for holding up placards and if you can't allow others to engage in protest and active expression of dialogue it seems entirely inconsistent to expect your own messages to be heard .

*rant over*

By davidf - 16 September 2011 at 11:09am

@davidf you're totally right, it would be hypocritical to criticise a protest. I guess what I'm saying is that it doesn't really feel like a real protest - hence the 'astroturfing' reference and nod to the huge space they advertise in below. ps that's not a rant!

By jamess - 16 September 2011 at 11:34am

1 person agrees

I haven't time to hang on the phone to VW but I have just sent them a comment on their main website to the effect that I would not touch VW with a barge pole if I ever choose to get a car (we dom't own one at the moment). Wouldn't even buy a second hand VW. Keep up the pressure, Greenpeace. Thanks

By No Car - 16 September 2011 at 11:59am

I live in portugal and I can not find a telefoon nr for VW can someone help me Thank you...Leen

By Leen Van Melle - 16 September 2011 at 12:33pm

I called them up and spoke to 'Sarah'. I was friendly, and said I wanted to express my distaste at VW lobbying against a 30% EU emissions cut (due to climate change...) Sarah replied, "we don't have any information on this emissions climate stuff, can I get your details for someone to call back?". Classic, their own call centre staff don't know what emissions are or what climate change is. Anyone got their address? Might send them a copy of the Age of Stupid.

PS No mention of their green cars.

By Simon Nash - 16 September 2011 at 1:07pm

I called VW and asked to speak to someone about lobbying. I got some cheerful chap in a call centre who said they can't comment or let me speak to anyone about lobbying, but they will send me their official statement about the issues.

By Eggnog - 16 September 2011 at 1:29pm

The person I just spoke to at VW claimed that VW are not lobbying against stronger car efficiency standards.

I asked her about ACEA, the lobby group that VW is at the heart of, is lobbying against a target of 95g CO2/Km and she claimed that this is not happening and said that VW do not understand why Greenpeace are making these claims.

I have asked her to put that in writing and she has agreed to email me stating that VW are not lobbying itself or through ACEA against a target of 95g CO2/Km.

She has told me that the email may take an hour or so to be sent.

By Paul Martin - 16 September 2011 at 1:55pm

I would have liked to know what their banners said, tho.

As someone else mentioned : "best way to resolve differences is to talk; mind you, that does involve listening". I'm sure Greenpeace has listened already but this page doesn't show that. (But the big banner is fab, tho!!!)

By emma jane - brizzle - 16 September 2011 at 2:09pm

Well done Greenpeace! Oh, are the VW counter-protesters those little people below the BIG placard? I'd assumed they were just a bunch of nutters carrying mobile hoardings... you know the ones... 'THE END OF THE WORLD IS NIGH: PREPARE TO MEET THY DOOM' that you used to see being carried around by men wearing long dirty raincoats!

Actually, if you crop in very close that is precisely what some of them have written on them!!!!

VW/Audi diesel engines aren't that good (replying to Sharky's comment): their thirst for motor oil is very high (quite a few litres/1000 miles according to an Audi-driving aquaintance).

Seriously though, why don't they just make small, light, clean, simple little cars that'll minimise damage to this frail little planet of ours... or better still: use a bike and get governments to prioritise properly-structured public transport systems.

D'oh!

By Artivati - 16 September 2011 at 2:55pm

Well I called them (uk) and left a message with a nice lady. "they will get back to me when they have some sort of stance on this".

Phill

By Phill Piddell - 16 September 2011 at 3:49pm

@Artivati. They wont make small light clean and simple little cars for everybody, quite simply because, everybody won't buy them. The consumer has to play his/her part by giving companies the incentive to change. They make big cars because a huge proportion of the buying public WANT big cars. We are in a cyclical relationship with the companies that make our stuff: we all have to adapt and change, its an evolving process we need to accelerate.

By mauman - 16 September 2011 at 3:55pm

Ditto some of the above - I also spoke to cheerful Sarah who stated that VW don't currently 'have a stance on the 30% greenhouse cuts' (seems odd as they are lobbying against them...) - they will apparently email me when they do have a stance. We shall see.

Dave

By dshubble - 16 September 2011 at 4:09pm

Sarah said that she would passs my comments on to Wolfsburg.

By Mark Stevens - 16 September 2011 at 4:20pm

>Greenpeace<

Vamos todos protejer a natureza, cuidar e manter vivo a flora que nos da inspiracao para viver em harmonia com o nosso Word Green.

By Alisson Drumond - 16 September 2011 at 4:31pm

Hi. Just spoke to Kelly at VW, she read out a statement which included statements along the lines that VW have met and talked with Greenpeace in the past and have offered to do so again but this offer has not been answered. Other statements seem to contradict what Greenpeace is putting forth, and whilst I am not surprised, I do find it hard to asceratin at times where the facts are. I'm sure the statement also included that VW was not lobbying, could be wrong. Kelly said the conversation was being recorded and would be passed onto Germany if that was my wish.

By Christian Lathom-Sharp - 16 September 2011 at 5:14pm

All of the car manufacturers have started making 4 x 4 guzzlers.

We need to look at not only V.W but BMW + Landrover (Range Rover sport) Mercedes etc etc.

These vehicles not only waste resources if you are in an accident with one they will most likely crush you.

Why are our leaders so lacking in gumption.Let us also look at Luxury yachts and why they get subsidised fuel.Is it any wonder normal folk in the world feel injustice when the little old lady taking a trip to the shop in her car has to pay more for fuel than a millionair in his luxury yacht.

and all the others that are building cars that waste precious oil.We are squandering a valuable resource that is not renewable.There needs to be more government legislation to outlaw certain vehicles.

By The Truth - 16 September 2011 at 6:23pm

All of the car manufacturers have started making 4 x 4 guzzlers.

We need to look at not only V.W but BMW + Landrover (Range Rover sport) Mercedes etc etc.

These vehicles not only waste resources if you are in an accident with one they will most likely crush you.

By The Truth - 16 September 2011 at 6:24pm

Life's too short girls and boys, you can shout as loud and as long as you all like but nothing will change. Life is about having the freedom and choice to do what you want and make the very most of it. Can you not put all this effort lobbying against the likes of vehicle manufacturers in to something more meaningful?

By StevieB - 16 September 2011 at 8:55pm

dont stand on dee grass.....smoke it!!!!! green peace rocks maaaaan xxx

By greenasweed - 16 September 2011 at 9:04pm

Ride a bike or even better walk :) P.S i drive a range rover

By it needs to change but dont tie yourself to a tree - 16 September 2011 at 9:10pm

I think that little banner says "don't be mean Greenpeace, or we will tell our mums''

By Nooby - 16 September 2011 at 9:16pm

I live in Brazil and can not connect, but I sympathize with the campaign greenpeace. ... Rudynalva

By rudynalva - 16 September 2011 at 10:06pm

PHAIL!!!!!

By Adi archangel - 17 September 2011 at 1:47am

Just had conversation with VW rep on phone - she tried give me all the stuff about the amount of efficient cars they produce etc.and then went on to say that Greenpeace had got thier facts wrong, that I should look at the VW website and generally waffled on and on with figure after tedious irrelevant figure. Eventually I told her I did n't want to hear anymore and that I was a long term VW customer (which I am) and that I wanted her to pass on to VW management that if will never buy a VW again if they continue with thier current behaviour. She did take my details so hopefully they are monitoring these calls. Other people please call too - its worth a try!

By Gen - 17 September 2011 at 12:56pm

I called yesterday and a very pleasant young man told me that they had been told not to say anything beyond the prepared statement he had been given but that they were waiting for more instructions. He said that he was collecting all the comments he was receiving over the phone and would be sending them off to Germany. He mentioned their new blue engine technology. When I asked him why VW was campaigning against the proposed reduction in greenhouse gases, he had no answer but he seemed supportive, saying that the more consumers and potential customers let the company know what they thought, the more likely they were to do something about it. Keep calling, I guess.

By cs - 17 September 2011 at 3:58pm

I have already told VW that although I am a VW owner for 20 years I will be delaying my expected new purchase until they stop this insane lobbying. I then had an argument with one of their salesmen, who had spotted that I was due for a replacement car. He said that VW were being picked on because they were the biggest car manufacturing group in Europe. I told him that it was nothing to do with that and then told him about the lobbying, about which he seemed unaware.

By Colonel Davey - 18 September 2011 at 11:21am

A nice video on the action, and you can see the VW placards at the very end briefly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T38PNsuaPs

It's funny they demand "CO2 neutral mobility" and "Clean cars for everyone" when it's actually they themselves who could directly contribute to it. If they would really want.

(I'm biased though.)

By Marci - 18 September 2011 at 6:25pm

I just rang up and was told that I could not speak to anyone about lobbying because too much of their time had already been taken up by protesters

By Dan Saxton - 19 September 2011 at 11:03am

Phoned the UK office and they decline to comment on Head Office policy but took my name and address and said it would be passed on to their German collegues. I told them that i was a VW owner, very satisfied with the car but dismayed at their stance on climate change. Worth ringing, yes!

By Ivan Jacoby - 21 September 2011 at 8:28am

I have just phoned VW, all the lady I spoke to could give me was their statement which was just a PR job on all the wonderful green things they have done to some of their cars, when I pointed out that this did not answer the question of why they were lobbying against 30% emmisions she said all she could do was pass on my concerns. I replied that I would like her to do that but could she also ask them to answer the question they were asked! The good they are doing with their green cars will be out weighed by their lobbying if it is successful.

By Sue McAleese - 21 September 2011 at 3:49pm

I couldn't get through last week (and they didn't reply to my voicemail either), but I tried again today – this time I did get through, and spoke to a woman named Sarah. As soon as she realised what I was talking about, she said that they were not able to comment at all – all she could do was pass my comments on, and she took my e-mail address to send me a statement when they have one out.

By R - 23 September 2011 at 1:56pm