Volkswagen Building Artificial Reef With Recalled Diesel Vehicles

With a loud whoosh and a cloud of steam, another TDI-equipped Volkswagen — this one a yellow Beetle — soars into the air at 170 miles per hour from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Anthony Weiner and lands with a large splash more than a half-mile away from the ship.

Forced to buy back more than a half-million U.S. market Volkswagens and Audis equipped with the non-emissions compliant TDI diesel engine, VW had to do something with them, and choose to use the cars to create an artificial reef off the coast of Delaware, a state that, on a map, looks just like an inverted hand flipping someone the bird.

The operation works out well for everyone:  VW gets rid of its unwanted cars, the Weiner crew — yes, we know how that sounds — gets launch procedure practice, and marine life score a colorful new habitat. “Believe me, fish love Volkswagens,” said smiling marine biologist Festool Plunknodt.  We believe him.