Volkswagen hoaxes media with fake news release as a joke

Volkswagen of America has admitted it was joking when it said this week it would change its name to Voltswagen (Mike Egerton/PA)

Volkswagen of America issued false statements this week saying it would change its brand name to Voltswagen to stress its commitment to electric vehicles – but has now admitted it was joking.

Mark Gillies, a company spokesman, confirmed on Tuesday the statement had been a pre-April Fool’s Day joke, after having insisted on Monday the release was legitimate and the name change accurate.