Volkswagen Group Ireland is introducing a scrappage scheme for anyone trading in an old diesel car against one its new vehicles from any of its brands. It’s the latest in a series of moves by German carmakers to repair the damage of the diesel emissions scandal.
However, unlike incentive schemes from BMW or Mercedes, it is the first to promise that the older diesel vehicles traded in will be taken off the road and scrapped. The other car firms are offering discount incentives on old diesel trade-ins but are likely to sell on these cars to used-car buyers.
The VW group scheme applies to older diesel vehicles with engines that only meet European Union emissions standards – Euro 1 to 4 – implemented prior to September 2009. After that, more stringent Euro 5 standards were enforced.
The scrappage offer applies to new models of Audi, Seat and Skodas along with Volkswagen passenger-car and commercial vehicles.
Called the EcoGrant offer, the discount ranges from €800 to €6,500 off a new car, depending on the model being bought. For example, someone trading in an older diesel from any brand will get a discount of €3,000 off a new Golf, €3,750 off a new Skoda Superb, or €5,000 on a new Audi A4.
For the electric cars in the firm’s range, such as the eGolf, when combined with the other grants on offer there is €14,000 off the official list price.
According to Lars Himmer, chief executive of VW Group Ireland, "what is particularly significant about EcoGrant is that we are actually going to take the qualifying vehicles off the road, with a certificate of destruction required to avail of the EcoGrant."
