Volkswagen Returns Cars.com Awards Over Emissions Scandal
Volkswagen Group of America has returned three Cars.com awards for TDI clean-diesel versions of its vehicles due to alleged violations of U.S. clean air laws.
In a letter addressed to Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Patrick Olsen, VW Group of America President and CEO Michael Horn wrote, “In light of the recent action by EPA concerning our 2.0L TDI vehicles and associated allegations, out of respect for you and your highly influential website, we feel it best at this time to return the 2015 Best Bet Award” for the Jetta TDI and the Eco-Friendly Car of the Year Awards for the Passat TDI in 2012 and 2015.
Related: Volkswagen Diesel Recall: What We Know
The Cars.com Best Bet designation represents any car that’s above average in fuel economy, crash tests and the opinions of Cars.com’s editors. The Eco-Friendly Car of the Year Award, our top honor for a vehicle designed to have a lower environmental impact, is presented at Cars.com’s annual awards ceremony at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Cars.com selected the Passat TDI on two occasions for its combination of high mileage with a driving experience gas-powered hybrid cars don’t match.
