Volkswagen admits 'Voltswagen' name change was a joke amid confusion

Company confirms name change on its US website but announcement is reportedly a stunt aimed at boosting new vehicle

Volkswagen of America issued false statements this week saying it would change its brand name to Voltswagen" as a way to stress its commitment to electric vehicles, only to reverse course on Tuesday and admit that the supposed name change was just a joke.

Mark Gillies, a company spokesman, confirmed on Tuesday that the statement had been a pre-April Fool's Day joke, after having insisted Monday that the release was legitimate and the name change accurate.