This is complete opposite of what I saw in Germany in Wolfsburg where VW plants are located. We were practically the only ones not driving VW there with exception of few Audis.

I think in car industry there are more benefits for using your own product than just being your own tester. It's also advertising (even such VW hater as me could not shake off a feeling that it has to be a good car after seeing a whole city is FULL of them) and increased product volume.