VW’S hail cannons cause drought, say farmers

MEXICAN farmers have accused Volkswagen of prolonging a drought in the state of Puebla to protect its cars by using sonic cannons to prevent hail forming.

The German company, which produces more than 450,000 vehicles a year at the plant, has been using “hail cannons” to disperse storm clouds menacing the thousands of cars parked on its lots. Local farmers say the technique is causing a drought that has made them lose 2,000 hectares (nearly 5,000 acres) of crops.

Scientists are sceptical over the cannons’ effectiveness, but the farmers say they have dispersed not only hail storms but all precipitation since May – the start of the rainy season. The farmers are reportedly seeking 70 million pesos ($4million) in compensation.

Volkswagen, which said this week it was taking the cannons off automatic mode, has not yet commented.