What’s in a name? Well here’s something I just learned as a result of attending the press drive for the all-new 2009 VW CC, which began in Atlanta, Ga., and ended in Nashville, Tenn. To me, the word coupe meant a two-door car since all the coupes I have driven have had two doors. So, I thought, what’s with Volkswagen’s allnew 2009 CC (short for Comfortable Coupe) that has four doors? Well, VW is quick to point out that the word coupe is derived from an Italian word that means something to the effect of being “reduced in size.” When most four-door sedans are reduced in size, they usually end up as two-door coupes. Until now.

VW has the audacity to confuse my automotive lexicon by introducing a four-door coupe. To make matters even more confusing, they call the all-new CC a performance family sedan. What there is no confusion about is that the German automaker has just announced that it has taken its place among the world’s top three automakers thanks to the Wolfsburg-based company’s outstanding delivery figures in the first half of 2008.

Rival Ford had to settle for fourth position. And to keep up with demand in this country, VW just announced that it has started construction on a new assembly plant in Knoxville, Tenn. “We are delighted that the Volkswagen Group has made it to the global automobile industry’s top three for the first time. This shows that we are on the right track with our everstronger international presence and, above all, our product program. We will systematically push ahead with our growth course even in the present difficult market environment,”