Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile3 entries
2016
Historical review and Fazenda Volkswagen investigation
Volkswagen commissioned an additional historical review of the dictatorship-era allegations. Investigations also examined alleged forced labor at Fazenda Volkswagen, a company-owned cattle operation in the Amazon.
2014
Truth commission findings on worker surveillance
Brazil's truth commission cited documents indicating that Volkswagen and other automakers helped military authorities identify union activists. Volkswagen representatives disputed that the material proved a company human-rights violation.
1970
Alleged cooperation with political repression
Former employees and labor activists alleged that Volkswagen do Brasil monitored workers and supplied information about union and opposition activity to security agencies during Brazil's military dictatorship. Allegations included worker detention and torture. The period and specific incidents have been investigated and contested.