A Volkswagen dealership in Norwood, South East London was one of scores of VW outlets targetted by Greenpeace activists last weekend. In total, more than sixty Volkswagen dealerships in four countries were vistied by Greenpeace campaigners concerned by the car giant’s record on climate change.
Despite branding itself as a green car company, VW is lobbying against key environmental laws, while it fits its cleanest technology to just six per cent of its cars. In June this year Greenpeace launched what has since become one if the organisation’s most successful internet campaigns ever, with 370,000 people signing up online to demand that Volkswagen live up to its carefully-crafted reputation.
Most recently VW’s one minute film of a mini-Darth Vader became the most viewed online ad in history. A subsequent Greenpeace spoof of the film was also a huge internet hit seen by millions of people. At the weekend, dealerships in London, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Newcastle were occupied. Activists dressed as Star Wars stormtroopers scaled the VW-branded totems outside and rebranded them. In Germany, where VW is based, activists have visited dozens of forecourts, while protests are also taking place in France.
A Greenpeace report released this summer details how Volkswagen:
* Is using its huge political muscle to lobby against key environmental laws
* Failed to reduce petrol consumption in their cars as quickly as other volume brands, despite promoting itself as a green company and claiming it wants to be "the most eco-friendly automaker in the world."
* Failed to introduce its lower-carbon 'Blue Motion' technology as standard across its fleet - even though doing so would make VW cars more efficient and reduce fuel costs for consumers
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Support Greenpeace's campaign by going to the Greenpeace UK's home page and joining 'the rebellion' at: http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/
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