Volkswagen is offering gift cards and dealership credits to U.S. owners of cars equipped with software that cheats emissions regulations, reflecting a concerted bid to begin rehabilitating its battered image.<br />The German automaker will offer a $500 Visa debit card, which can be spent on anything, and a $500 dealership credit to owners of 482,000 diesel cars embroiled in the emissions scandal.<br />The company will also offer three years of free roadside assistance.<br />Owners of the Audi cars affected by the scandal will get the same offer.<br />By accepting the offer, vehicle owners will not be required to relinquish their right to participate in a class-action lawsuit, take legal actions on their own or give up any potential future compensation, Volkswagen spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan confirmed in an email.
