The Volkswagen Group may not be advertising that much like Hyundai but it is picking out the organizations that are in need of financial support. Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, LLC, today announced a five-year, $5.28 million philanthropic commitment designed to serve as a catalyst for educational enrichment in the state of Tennessee.

The company’s “Partners in Education” program includes funding for Fisk University, Hamilton County Public Schools, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Tennessee State University (TSU), The University of Memphis (U of M), The University of Tennessee – Chattanooga (UTC) and The University of Tennessee – Knoxville (UTK). The program will also leverage and support the Volkswagen Group’s relationship with Chattanooga State Community College, the lead institution for workforce training at the company’s new plant in Chattanooga.

“Our $5.28 million, five-year education program is a comprehensive project that will serve as a catalyst for improvement,” said Mr. Fischer. “Our program will benefit students from kindergarten through high school; college undergraduates and graduate students; and scholars and researchers at the state’s premier research institutions.”

(Source) Press

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Skoda has unveiled in Geneva its much hyped Fabia Sport Design Concept, the best car that the company has plans to bring out in recent times.

Part of the Fabia’s success is the fact that all of its mechanical parts are developed by or in conjunction with Volkswagen, but are offered in a package that is priced to undercut other models in the Volkswagen Group. The only trace of non-VW Škoda left in the Fabia is the 1.4 8v “MPI” Engine, which was a modification to Škoda’s own 1.3 engine, and was used in pre-Volkswagen Škodas such as the Estelle and Favorit.

It is said that the next Fabia vRS is set to use the VW group’s 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine rather than the old car’s powerful turbodiesel motor.

(Source) Khabrein.info

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Don’t be surprised to find a new pickup at the Melbourne Motor Show which sports the logo of Volkswagen. If you do, then perhaps you have stumbled upon the new Volkswagen Pickup Concept which is bound to give other familiar pickups like the Hi-Lux and Navara a run for their money.

The Pickup concept previews the full production model that is currently in development. The 5.18 metre long concept vehicle is not based on any current model VW, but will feature the latest generation of highly advanced, torque strong, fuel saving common-rail turbo-diesels (TDI).

“The Volkswagen Pickup will certainly be a welcome and exciting fourth addition to our expanding range of light commercial vehicles,” commented Phil Clark, Director of Volkswagen Group Australia Commercial Vehicles. “Being the only premium European offering a product in the 1 tonne segment is a great opportunity for Volkswagen. I believe the Pickup will be one of the best selling models in the Volkswagen line-up.”

(Source) TMR

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The Volkswagen Group has announced the arrival of 16 Passat Lingyu Fuel Cell vehicles which shall participate in fleet demonstrations at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, Calif. These prototypes actually debuted during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and are mainly manufactured in China.

The Passat Lingyu fuel cell vehicles are being added to the existing fleet of eight Volkswagen fuel cell vehicles also at the California Fuel Cell Partnership. In total, these 24 vehicles create the largest fleet of fuel cell cars from a single manufacturer at one location anywhere in the world.

In a quest toward sustainable mobility, Volkswagen Group is exploring a number of new technologies to achieve greater fuel efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. The company’s commitment to the environment also covers the entire lifespan of a car, from the earliest stages of the manufacturing process to the vehicle’s final trip to the recycling yard.

(Source) Press

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