The Tweet this morning stated, “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.”
Another way to check on the name could have been the United States Trademark Office there is no record of Voltswagen or Voltzwagen—a major company such as Vokswagen would have trademarked its name.
That’s what is called free advertsiing—
Volkswagen issued a news release and Tweeted the name change. Then later admitted it was in fact a PR stunt to give VW an electrified image.
“There will be no renaming of Volkswagen of America,” Volkswagen spokesman Mark Gillies said in an emailed statement Tuesday night. “The alleged renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fools’ Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV and signaling our commitment to bringing electric mobility to all.”
It wasn’t even a good April Fool’s stunt because it was leaked two days early.