Volkswagen, the German automaker whose iconic Beetle almost single-handedly created the U.S. import-car market in the 1960s but later lost its dominant position to the Japanese, took the top spots in six of 17 vehicle categories in the latest vehicle quality study by the market research firm Strategic Vision.VW took the winning spot in more categories than any other automaker in the 2009 Strategic Vision Total Quality Index, which rates owners’ experiences with their new vehicles during the first three months after purchase.

The good showing is an important step in Volkswagen’s goal of again becoming a major player in the U.S. import auto market. The company’s plan is to increase its U.S. sales from last year’s approximately 200,000 vehicles to more than 800,000 by 2018, or 1 million vehicles when its premium Audi brand’s sales are added.

The company is building a $1 billion assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., to help it achieve that goal. The facility, scheduled to open in early 2011, will assemble a new midsize VW sedan for the U.S. market, and other unnamed vehicles as well.

Volkswagen and Ford were the surprising top winners in the latest survey, which also included winners from such Japanese import stalwarts as Toyota, Nissan and Honda.

Leading their respective market segments were the Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf) compact hatchback, Jetta midsize sedan, CC premium sedan, New Beetle and Tiguan compact sport utility, as well as the Audi A4 premium sedan.

The Ford Focus compact sedan, meanwhile, led the small-car segment, beating such heady competition as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

Volkswagen and Ford also were named the “full-line corporate leaders” based on the quality survey results, Strategic Vision said.

“Across their various brands, both corporations are consistently producing vehicles judged high in perceived quality and emotional delight, resulting in models that customers can love,” the company said in an announcement of the survey’s results.

Strategic Vision said the index survey “asks buyers to rate all aspects of the ownership experience from buying and owning to performance and driving - much more than simply counting problems.”

Unlike J.D. Power’s annual initial-quality study, which rates vehicles and manufacturers strictly on the number of warranty complaints to dealers in the first three months of new-vehicle ownership, the Strategic Vision survey takes into account the emotional aspects of ownership - how pleased consumers are with the way their vehicles look and feel.

It’s on that basis that Volkswagen vehicles have a real edge, as they are designed to give a great driving experience and to create an emotional attachment to their owners.

“Results from studies that measure the number of problems or the overall satisfaction of a vehicle do not measure the customers’ commitment to, advocacy for or loyalty to their vehicles accurately,” Strategic Vision said.

It’s clear that consumers will put up with a variety of minor complaints about their vehicles if the overall experience - especially the emotional factor - is good.

“In today’s difficult market, the difference between products that generate consideration, build brands and increase sales versus those that do not is often how much delight and love the product generates with its customers,” said Darrel Edwards, Strategic Vision’s chairman.

Strategic Vision noted that the Mini Cooper was ranked last in initial quality by the most recent J.D. Power survey, but under the criteria used by the Strategic Vision index, the Mini was the highest-rated brand in Total Quality in its price category.

The company also emphasized that even with the financial problems the U.S. automakers have been experiencing, four of the top 10 best-selling vehicles in the first quarter of 2009 were domestics, and that all of the U.S. Big Three - General Motors, Ford and Chrysler - scored well in the Total Quality Index.

GM had four segment leaders, the Pontiac G8 sport sedan, GMC Envoy midsize SUV, Yukon XL full-size sport utility and the Chevy Corvette - the highest-rated vehicle among all of those surveyed this year.

“Customers report that these vehicles deliver what they want from each segment,” Strategic Vision said. “These leaders have delightful interiors, performance and styling providing to customers an added sense of security, confidence, fun and excitement.”

Also surprising, considering that GM is dumping both brands, is that Saturn and Pontiac tied for having the highest Total Quality scores in their segments, Strategic Vision said.

Chrysler raised its scores from last year with the redesigned full-size 2009 Ram pickup scoring the highest of any truck in the 15-year history of the study, Strategic Vision said. The Ram won the top spot for the first time since 1999.

Honda, Nissan and Toyota won two vehicle segments each, but had strong contenders in many other classes, Strategic Vision said.

The Nissan Maxima tied with the G8 in the large-car segment, the company said, and the Infiniti FX was first in the near-luxury utility segment, just two points above the Infiniti EX and BMW X3. The scores were so close that Strategic Vision declared it a three-way tie.

Honda’s Ridgeline compact pickup and Odyssey minivan led their segments, and Toyota’s 4Runner sport utility and new Venza crossover won in their classes.

Lexus was the brand with the lowest number of problems per vehicle, but Strategic Vision suggested that Toyota should focus on improving the overall ownership experience of Lexus vehicles, focusing on “delivering more than basic satisfaction as they build on their foundation.”

The Mercedes-Benz S-class was the model that “defined luxury in its class, leading for the fourth time in the past six years,” Strategic Vision said.

Land Rover’s Range Rover was the top entry in the luxury utility segment, but other Land Rover and Jaguar models also scored highly, the survey showed.

HERNDON, Va.- The 2009 Jetta TDI clean diesel has been awarded the 2009 GreenCar of the Year by Green Car Journal. The editors at Green Car Journal nominated five vehicles that represented the year’s best-of-the-best 2009 green vehicles, and today announced that they have chosen Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI clean diesel as the best-of-thebest and awarded it their 2009 Green Car of the Year.

“It is a tremendous honor to have our Jetta TDI awarded Green Car of the Year,”said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We believe our Jetta TDI’s truly offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience that provides our customer the best of both worlds-excellent fuel efficiency combined with a dynamic driving experience. With more than 8,000 units already sold since its mid-August market introduction, it’s clear that a Volkswagen clean diesel is what the people want.”

“The Volkswagen Jetta TDI rose to the top as Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year® for some very important reasons,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Hybrids have dominated the discussion of environmentally positive vehicles in recent years. The highly fuel efficient,50 state emissions certified Jetta TDI shows that advanced clean diesel has arrived and is poised to change this dynamic. With its affordable price point, refined ride and handling,and high fuel economy, the Jetta TDI shows that hybrids now have a strong competitor in the marketplace.” 

Media Information

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.
2200 Ferdinand Porsche Drive
Herndon, Virginia 20171
(703) 364-7000
www.media.vw.com (Registration Required)

Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen showcase the best of both worlds, an alternative fuel vehicle with no compromises. Fuel efficiency, performance and convenience come standard with the 50-state compliant Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen models, which meet the most stringent emissions standards in California.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 30 mpg City, and 41 mpg Highway. Volkswagen went a step further to evaluate the real world fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the City and 44 mpg on the Highway.*

Earlier this year the Jetta TDI set a new Guinness World Record for Lowest Fuel Consumption as it averaged 58.82 miles per gallon as it traveled through the 48 contiguous states. EPA research has concluded that if diesels were to power one third of all light duty vehicles in the United States, the shift would save approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil a day-equal to the daily shipments from Saudi Arabia to the U.S.

The Jetta TDI models come standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of numerous standard safety features. Like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, the Jetta TDIs also come standard with Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Jetta with their highest safety rating, a Top Safety Pick.

Providing even more value to the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen, a $1300 Federal Income Tax Credit is available. The Internal Revenue Service issued a certification letter affirming that both vehicles qualify for an Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Federal Income Tax credit.

Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s Carefree Maintenance Program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance detailed in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty-three years or36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Eos, Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Tiguan and Touareg 2 through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Volkswagen hasn’t even launched its sixth-generation Golf and small details are already surfacing on the seventh generation of Europe’s long-running top seller.Industry sources have told Automotive News Europe that when the next Golf arrives in 2012 the lower-medium car will feature an all-new platform and offer a powertrain portfolio designed to reduce the entire model line’s CO2 emission dramatically.

There will be a low-CO2 version of the sixth-generation Golf — the BlueMotion variant that will emit 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer compared with 119g/km on the current Golf BlueMotion — but the rest of the car’s derivatives will have CO2 emissions as high as 166g/km.

One way VW plans to reduce emissions in the entire Golf model line is by giving the seventh-generation car more fuel-efficient engines. Another way to make the car greener is to make it leaner.

“The first step in downsizing is to not increase the size of a new model,” Walter de’ Silva, VW group design director, told ANE when asked to provide some clues about the seventh-generation Golf.

The Golf that debuts next month in Paris is 5mm shorter but 20mm wider than the current Golf.

De’ Silva dismissed speculation that the next Golf will arrive in 2012, but he also confirmed that he and his team already are working on generation seven.

“The Golf is the most important model for the VW brand,” he said. “The work [on it] never ends.”

LOS ANGELES — Volkswagen Group of America is asking diesel engine fans in the US to help promote the benefits of its new Jetta TDI.The 2009 Jetta TDI, which went on sale in the US in August, is the first diesel to meet emission standards in all 50 US states.

It therefore has been the subject of much attention in Internet blogs and chat rooms over the last 18 months, said VW spokeswoman Jennifer Jacoby.

Jacoby said VW has been monitoring the chats and openly sharing information with diesel enthusiasts so they can spread the word on the merits of clean diesel.

“We are going to tap into them to be our advocates,” she said at a media event here earlier this month.

Engaging diesel enthusiasts is key to VW’s two-stage campaign to build awareness about clean diesel technology and change perceptions about diesel among US consumers.

VW recently launched a diesel section on its Web site that gives a history of VW’s diesel heritage.

More than 25,000 people have signed up through the Web site for more information on clean diesels and the Jetta sedan and SportWagen TDIs, Jacoby said.

Phase Two will begin in early 2009 and use the Jetta campaign as a “launching pad” for future clean diesel cars, she said.

ARLINGTON, VA — Four small cars, two midsize cars, two midsize SUVs, one large luxury car, one small pickup, and a midsize convertible are the latest winners of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK award.Winners afford superior overall crash protection among the vehicles in their classes. To qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute’s front, side, and rear tests. It also must be equipped with electronic stability control.

“Criteria to win are tough because TOP SAFETY PICK is intended to drive continued improvements such as good crash test ratings and rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard equipment on 9 of the 11 new winners,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results.”

Winners by vehicle class

Small cars: 2009 Honda Civic with optional electronic stability control, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer with optional electronic stability control, 2008-09 Scion xB, and 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

Midsize cars: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta and 2009 Volkswagen Passat

Large luxury car: 2009 Lincoln MKS

Midsize SUVs: 2009 Ford Flex and 2009 Honda Pilot

Small pickup: 2009 Toyota Tacoma

Midsize convertible: 2009 Volkswagen Eos

How vehicles are evaluated

The Institute’s frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on 2 instrumented SID-IIs dummies, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle’s structural performance during the impact.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a 2-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry — the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an averagesize man. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck.

WASHINGTON — Smart cars and Volkswagen diesels are the new stars of government fuel economy ratings. The EPA and Energy Department today issued the 2009 fuel economy guide. The overall fuel economy leader is no surprise. It’s the Toyota Prius, rated at 48 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway. The additions to the top 10 list this year are the Smart ForTwo convertible and coupe and Volkswagen Jetta diesels.

The Smarts, which arrived in the United States in January, were too late for the 2008 guide. This year the Smart models hold down the No. 5 spot with ratings of 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. The Jetta diesels were not in the market last year because they did not meet tighter clean air rules. They are back this year with improved emissions controls. The sedan and wagon with manual transmissions are in seventh place with ratings of 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. The sedan and wagon with automatic transmissions are in eighth place with ratings of 29 and 40.

Bringing up the bottom, among all makes and models, is the Lamborghini Murcielago, rated at 8 mpg city and 13 mpg highway. This is the second year in which revised testing and calculation methods mean almost all vehicles get lower ratings than before. The methodology was changed to make ratings more closely reflect real-world driving.

For 2009 the EPA and Energy Department are touting the availability of the fuel economy data on mobile devices, such as smart phones or personal digital assistants.

The full guide is available at www.fueleconomy.gov.

Here is the top 10 list for 2009:
1. Toyota Prius (hybrid) — 48/45
2. Honda Civic Hybrid — 40/45
3. Nissan Altima Hybrid — 35/33
4. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD; Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD; Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD — 34/31
5. Smart ForTwo convertible; Smart ForTwo coupe — 33/41
6. Toyota Camry Hybrid — 33/34
7. Volkswagen Jetta (manual, diesel); Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (manual, diesel) — 30/41
8. Volkswagen Jetta (automatic, diesel); Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (automatic, diesel) — 29/40
9. Toyota Yaris (manual) — 29/36
10. Toyota Yaris (automatic) — 29/35

Volkswagen Makes Annual EPA Top Ten List with All-New Clean Diesel Jettas 

HERNDON, Va. - The 50-state compliant clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen TDI have claimed two of the top positions in the annual EPA and Energy Departments’ list of the most fuel efficient vehicles.  The Jetta TDI’s are the only clean diesel vehicles to make the top ten list, which was released last week.

 ”Many of the vehicles on this list are hybrids, and we’re proud to have the only clean diesel cars to receive top honors in such an import list, particularly,” said Mark Barnes, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc.  “At a time when fuel economy is top of mind for consumers we are proud of our Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen TDI for offering a true no compromise deal for consumers - comfort, economy and performance.”

While the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg City and 40 mpg Highway, Volkswagen went a step further to show the true fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, has tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the City and 44 mpg on the Highway. 

This announcement also comes on the heels of the Jetta TDI setting a Guinness World Record for Lowest Fuel Consumption across the 48 continental United States with an amazing 58.82 miles per gallon.

In addition to the fuel savings drivers will get with the Jetta TDI vehicles, buyers are also be eligible for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit since the vehicles qualify for the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Federal income tax.   The Jetta TDI’s start at $21,990 for the sedan, and the diesel SportWagen starts at $23,590 and are both currently available in dealerships.

Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s carefree maintenance program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty - three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles.  As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line - ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control. 

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen Group of America is headquartered in Herndon, Va.  It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.  Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Eos, Routan, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.  Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

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,”

HERNDON, Va. – David Richert, Niverville, Manitoba, Canada, won the first year of the Jetta TDI Cup Media Contest by securing more media coverage then any of the other 29 drivers in the clean diesel series.  This result was made even more significant by the fact that Richert, 26, completed the season ranked 25th but managed to parlay his media efforts into enough coverage to secure him a trip to Germany to drive in a race of the ADAC Polo Cup, the same prize awarded to the series points champion Josh Hurley.

 ”It has been an honor to represent the Volkswagen brand and promote clean diesel throughout the race season,” said Richert.  “As drivers, what we do off the race track is often more important than what we do on the track.  Winning the VW Media Contest and earning the opportunity to race at Hockenheim is a huge boost for my racing career. I applaud Volkswagen for creating this initiative and providing us with the necessary tools to succeed at it.”

 Designed to teach drivers the importance of media to their racing careers, the Jetta TDI Cup Media Contest encouraged the building of relationships with key members of the media, especially in the drivers home towns.  In order for the media activity to be counted in the contest, drivers were required to develop story ideas, pitch media, track and submit all forms of media throughout the series.

 As a local farmer with a dream to race cars, Richert generated enough interest in his home town and surrounding area that he was asked to help the mayor of Winnipeg unveil new city signs earlier this year.  He also made a visit to a children’s hospital in Connecticut, and threw out the first pitch in a minor league baseball game.  The relationships he formed with his local media led to multiple radio interviews, television appearances and continuous coverage in his local papers. 

To receive more information, or register for the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup season, interested participants between the ages of 16-26 can visit vw.com to sign up to receive more information.

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series is an innovative approach to motorsports – 30 factory-prepared and managed 2009 clean-diesel Jetta TDIs will be piloted by talented, up-and-coming drivers, aged 16 to 26. Volkswagen’s goal is to find the driver with the most talent and help them break into the world of professional motorsports. The Jetta TDI Cup series, the first all clean-diesel race series, is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing Inc. Sponsors for the race include: Aggreko, Athlete’s Performance, Bondurant, Bosch, ful®, Holder, Hoopla, Ironclad, Kyosho, Oakley, RedBull, UTI and ViON.
 
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles.  As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line – ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes.  NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Va.  It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.  Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat Wagon, Eos, Routan, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.  Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.