It was big news from Volkswagen on Monday with the automaker briefly posting a draft press release on its website supposedly announcing it was changing its name to “Voltswagen” to better promote electric vehicles.
VW then put out an official media release on Tuesday, again pledging to rebrand itself “Voltswagen” in the US as “a public declaration of the company’s future-forward investment in e-mobility.”
Reporters leapt at the news and this official tweet from March 30 alongside the media release seemed to imply it was actually happening.
We know, 66 is an unusual age to change your name, but we’ve always been young at heart. Introducing Voltswagen. Similar to Volkswagen, but with a renewed focus on electric driving. Starting with our all-new, all-electric SUV the ID.4 – available today. #Voltswagen #ID4 pic.twitter.com/pKQKlZDCQ7
— Volkswagen (@VW) March 30, 2021
And then it wasn’t. It turned out Volkswagen’s name change was nothing more than an early April Fool’s joke – with the company confirming the rumours the next day.
“Volkswagen initially said it was going to rename its US operations Voltswagen to signify its commitment to electrification of its fleet. The company confirmed (on) Tuesday that the announcement was an elaborate April fool’s joke,” the company said.
However, the fake release may just land Volkswagen in trouble with US securities regulators because its stock price rose nearly 5 per cent on Tuesday, the day the fake statement was officially issued. Investors have been known to respond positively to news of companies increasing electric vehicle production, as seen by the regular increase in Tesla shares and other lesser-known EV startups following key announcements.
With COVID-19 still too fresh in our minds there’s no way AfMA would be able to pull off any sort of April Fool’s gag in our current climate.
In saying that until 12 midday AEDT today only, all tickets to the 2021 Australasian Fleet Conference & Exhibition are completely FREE and include a complimentary 2021 plated electric vehicle for all of your fleet drivers. Hurry this offer is limited to the first 10,000 orders and only available on the 01/04/2021. Don’t miss out on these exclusive offers!
Happy April Fool’s Day from all of us at AfMA. We hope you have a lovely Easter break with your family and friends.
