Business Wire.- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased Volkswagen AG (“Volkswagen” or the “Company”) (OTC: VWAGY) American depositary receipts (“ADRs”) between March 29, 2021 and March 30, 2021, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Volkswagen investors have until March 15, 2022 to file a lead plaintiff motion.
Investors suffering losses on their Volkswagen investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected].
On March 29, 2021, Volkswagen published a draft press release announcing its American subsidiaries’ supposed name change to “Voltswagen.” Media outlets reported that they confirmed with the Company that the name change was real. As reported by CNBC, “Volkswagen accidentally posted a press release on its website a month early on Monday announcing a new name for its U.S. operations, Voltswagen of America, emphasizing the German automaker’s electric vehicle efforts.” On this news, Volkswagen AG’s share price sharply rose.
On March 30, 2021, however, The Wall Street Journal published an article titled “No, Volkswagen Isn’t Rebranding Itself Voltswagen: German car maker says announcement by its U.S. operation was supposed to be an April Fools’ gag.” The article noted that “[i]nvestors have been clamoring for shares of companies involved in electric vehicles and have recently been pouring money into the stocks of established car makers with solid EV plans.” Other outlets reported that the Associated Press was repeatedly assured by Volkswagen that its U.S. subsidiary planned a name change, which was false.
On this news, Volkswagen AG’s share price fell more than 5% over the next two trading days, thereby injuring investors.
The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the name «Voltswagen» was never going to be used by the Company’s U.S. subsidiary; (2) the Company and its spokespeople purposefully misled reporters, even after the reporters’ inquiries about whether the name change was an April Fool’s joke; and (3) as a result, Defendants’ public statements and statements to journalists were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times.
If you purchased Volkswagen securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.