I just returned from the annual Florida Bug Jam, one of the larger VW shows in the country, with another first place trophy in my competitive hands.  I am awed at the quality of workmanship that went into the manufacture of my Bug 36 years ago.   Wish I could personally thank Heinrich and Hans and Dieter and all the boys that built these cars with pride.

And then there is corporate Germany run amok.  I’m also the proud owner of one of the VW diesel models that Volkswagenwerk AG cheated on,  installing devices to pep up their cars while polluting the air way beyond mandated standards around the world.   The company wants us to believe that a small group of rogue engineers slipped this hardware and software into the vehicles without the knowledge and blessing of the brass.   Knockwurst (baloney in English) to that.     If only we could locate those three “retired” engineers living in the lap of luxury somewhere in Bavaria, they would certainly fill us in.

So, I’m angry, and I’m suing .   I found the nastiest, blood-sucking tort lawyers I could find (in Alabama), and signed on.  I want blood.  Actually, I really love my diesel.  I’ve owned three of them.  But VW has destroyed one of the few product/brand loyalties that remain for me.  Ask my wife, I’m a VW guy !   I’ve had VWs non-stop since I was 15 years old.   May Wolfsburg’s sewer system back up completely .   The catalyst for this posting today was my receipt from VW of America of a $500 gift card plus a $500 credit for future repairs at my local VW dealer.   That doesn’t cut it !   The “schadenfreude” in my DNA makes me chuckle as I see the empty showrooms and parking lots of the local dealers.   I know the dealers weren’t in on the company’s dirty little secret, but my heart is broken and someone needs to pay !                        WHAT THE HECK !