There was verification - and intentional misleading on VWs part - before talking about it. It was not quite the "read press release and instantly write articles

There was verification - and intentional misleading on VWs part - before talking about it. It was not quite the "read press release and instantly write articles" timeline you've dreamt. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/30/volkswagens-name-change-of-us-voltswagen-operations-was-april-fools-marketing-prank-source-says.html https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/30/volkswagens-name-change-of-u... > An unfinished version of the initial press release went out briefly on VW’s U.S. media newsroom website Monday morning before it was taken down. Media outlets, including CNBC, *reported it as news __after__ it was confirmed by unnamed sources within the company, who apparently lied to several reporters.*