Photo: Mexico-Now.com
The Volkswagen Mexico plant in Puebla is the second largest in the world outside Germany. Thousands of new VW cars sit in the lot outside the factory, ready to be shipped across the world – and in serious need of protection against hail.
To that end, VW is using hail cannons, to disperse cloud formations and prevent the appearance of hail. According to farmers near the plant, the use of cannons has also caused a severe drought in the area, which would eventually cost them a fortune in lost crops.
The farmers say that it hasn’t rained at all in the region since May, when the rainy season began – and they lay the blame for it at VW’s door and its cannons. Though science refutes the theory that hail cannons can prevent rain and ultimately cause drought, the farmers believe what they see: and what they see is that, after the cannons are fired at the VW plant, clouds disperse and not a single drop of rain falls.
According to The Telegraph, the farmers are seeking nearly $4 million in compensation for lost crops from the company. Meanwhile, VW is trying to placate them by agreeing to take the cannons off automatic mode and switching to manual mode.
This, of course, means they can still shoot them whenever they deem necessary. They insist they will also install large anti-hail nets over the ground where the new cars are, but will still use the cannons if hail threats are perceived.
“Even though there is no evidence that the use of these devices causes a lack of rain, Volkswagen (VLKAF) of Mexico decided to modify its operation in order to maintain a harmonious relationship with its neighbors,” a company spokesperson tells CNN.
“Volkswagen ... [has stopped] using these devices in their automatic mode, and is only operating them manually, when the meteorological conditions determine the imminent fall of hail,” the spokesperson adds.
The farmers believe that’s just a way of getting them to shut up, so they’re using social media to join forces and take on the company as a united group.
The Puebla plant in Mexico works around the clock and employs about 15,000 people. Over 450,000 cars are produced here annually, including Golf, the Jetta, Tiguan and Beetle.
The farmers say that it hasn’t rained at all in the region since May, when the rainy season began – and they lay the blame for it at VW’s door and its cannons. Though science refutes the theory that hail cannons can prevent rain and ultimately cause drought, the farmers believe what they see: and what they see is that, after the cannons are fired at the VW plant, clouds disperse and not a single drop of rain falls.
According to The Telegraph, the farmers are seeking nearly $4 million in compensation for lost crops from the company. Meanwhile, VW is trying to placate them by agreeing to take the cannons off automatic mode and switching to manual mode.
This, of course, means they can still shoot them whenever they deem necessary. They insist they will also install large anti-hail nets over the ground where the new cars are, but will still use the cannons if hail threats are perceived.
“Even though there is no evidence that the use of these devices causes a lack of rain, Volkswagen (VLKAF) of Mexico decided to modify its operation in order to maintain a harmonious relationship with its neighbors,” a company spokesperson tells CNN.
“Volkswagen ... [has stopped] using these devices in their automatic mode, and is only operating them manually, when the meteorological conditions determine the imminent fall of hail,” the spokesperson adds.
The farmers believe that’s just a way of getting them to shut up, so they’re using social media to join forces and take on the company as a united group.
The Puebla plant in Mexico works around the clock and employs about 15,000 people. Over 450,000 cars are produced here annually, including Golf, the Jetta, Tiguan and Beetle.
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