Wiesenthal Center Demands Volkswagen Mexico Drop Concessionaire for Exhibiting Nazi Symbols

September 7, 2020

Buenos Aires and Paris – In a letter to Steffen Reiche, President of the Executive Council of Volkswagen México, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre demanded immediate action against those responsible for its dealership located in Coyoacán, which is displaying Nazi symbols on its facilities.

The letter signed by Drs. Shimon Samuels and Ariel Gelblung, Directors for International Relations and for Latin America respectively, stated: “On behalf of our more than 400,000 members worldwide, we demand that, as a German company you enforce the law that prohibits the exhibition of Nazi symbols...We expect you to immediately identify those responsible abd publicly announce the action you will take. The most appropriate would be to drop the concession completely, in order to pass a clear message to your customers that you have learned from your history.  Volkswgen, the 'Peoples Car', was a Nazi concept. German cars in Mexico are unacceptable if they come with the swastiika..."

The letter was shared with newly appointed CEO of the Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg, Germany,Ralf Brandstetter, via Peik von Bestenbostel.

For further information, please contact Dr. Shimon Samuels at +336 09770158 or Dr. Ariel Gelblung at +54 9 11 49695365.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO)