Volkswagen of America has issued a voluntary recall for about 13,500 vehicles equipped with DSG transmissions. Apparently a faulty temperature sensor in the said DSG transmission is reportedly the problem. Failure of the temperature sensor could result in illuminated warning lamps in the dashboard, and in rare instances the transmission may shift into neutral.

The recall affects models like the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos built between September 2008 and August 2009. Affected owners are encouraged to call local Volkswagen retailers to schedule an appointment to have their vehicle inspected and repaired.

(Source) Press

Tags: Dashboard, Eos, failure, GTi, Jetta, lamps, models, rare instances, temperature sensor, transmissions, volkswagen, volkswagen of america

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Volkswagen of America has been in the headlines a lot these days. Mostly, it is about awards that the company has been getting, paying tribute to their continuous effort for excellence and quality for their vehicles. This time around, two of their cars are cited and given the Consumer’s Top Rated Vehicle Awards, another feather in their cap that should guide people on why they should consider such vehicles under the Volkswagen brand.

“It is a tremendous honor for the Volkswagen Brand to have our CC and Tiguan earn Consumers’ Top Rated Vehicle Awards from Edmunds.com,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Having our vehicles recognized for their fun-to-drive appeal and for their craftsmanship from our owners and the editors of the highly esteemed Edmunds.com further validates the hard work and dedication of our engineers and designers,” added Barnes.

Volkswagen has been aggressively planting its seeds in the U.S. market. And while many thought that the cause was all futile, slowly but surely the seeds are growing on why Volkswagen of America has been undertaking such investments. Apparently Volkswagen is continuing its drive towards quality and today, two more vehicles join that elite circle, the Tiguan and the CC.

(Source) Press

Tags: Cars, volkswagen, volkswagen of america, volkswagen of america inc, volkswagen tiguan

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Controversial or not, Volkswagen of America has vowed its support for the “Cash for Clunkers” program of the government where each of their vehicles for their 2009 lineup qualifies for the said program. Under the “Cash for Clunkers” programs, potential new car buyers can get up to $4,500 off from the purchase price of new vehicles who trade-in their old cars.

In order to qualify, eligible new vehicles must achieve at least 22 miles-per-gallon for automobiles, and at least 18 mpg for small light-duty trucks and SUV’s, and trade-in vehicles must achieve 18 mpg or less.

“Volkswagen of America supports this historic decision of the United States Government to enact the Cash for Clunkers program.” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America. “The fact that Volkswagen has long been known for producing fun-to-drive, fuel efficient vehicles, combined with our eight Top Safety Pick rated vehicles by the IIHS, should put Volkswagen on any new car buyers shopping list.” added Jacoby.

Among the new cars that Volkswagen has lined up include:

• 2009 Rabbit
• GTI
• Jetta
• Jetta SportWagen
• New Beetle
• New Beetle convertible
• Passat
• Passat Wagon
• Eos
• CC

(Source) Press

Tags: car buyers, fuel efficient vehicles, IIHS, Jetta, jetta sportwagen, light duty trucks, miles per gallon, new beetle, new car, new cars, new vehicles, old cars, president ceo, rabbit gti, shopping list, Stefan Jacoby, united states government, volkswagen, volkswagen of america

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For the Volkswagen who have always had problems getting the right parts for their car, the opening of this new state-of-the-art parts center by Volkswagen of America should settle all those issues in Jacksonville, Fla. Other than putting to rest on how hard it is to get parts, this is also a sign that Volkswagen plans to expand their business in the U.S.

“Volkswagen knows that environmental responsibility requires much more than increased fuel efficiency and fewer emissions. We consider the environment in everything we do, including this distribution center, which uses new technologies to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency.”

Features of the new center include:

• Dock doors with special insulation to prevent the loss of heating and cooling;
• Equipment chargers designed to reduce energy consumption by more than 25 percent;
• Advanced fluorescent lights linked to motion sensors that reduce electricity consumption by up to 60 percent; and
• Nearly 50 skylights providing natural lighting.

With more than $18 million in inventory and nearly 50,000 unique part numbers, the new center is larger than the former Jacksonville parts distribution center that was put up before. Construction on the new facility began in November 2007.

(Source) Press

Tags: chargers, distribution center, doors, efficiency features, electricity consumption, emissions, energy consumption, environmental responsibility, fluorescent lights, fuel efficiency, heating and cooling, insulation, jacksonville fla, motion sensors, natural lighting, skylights, state of the art, volkswagen, volkswagen of america

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Volkswagen of America has announced the launch of its TDI Truth & Dare blog to help enhance diesel myths. The blog forum will differentiate “diesel” from “clean diesel” and encourage active participation through two simple challenges.

First, visitors will learn the truth about clean diesel technology by understanding the facts. Second, the forum will dare visitors to get involved in the alternative fuel discussion by participating in online events like the “Tank Wars” fuel efficient driving challenge and using applications like “Diesel Finder” and “Savings Calculator.”

Additionally, the blog will post relevant facts and discussions from Volkswagen as well as third party sources and consumers to keep visitors up to date on the latest diesel conversation. The blog forum will run year round and serve as a platform for product and clean diesel messaging in a voice that is unique to Volkswagen.

“Volkswagen believes that clean diesel offers drivers a high-mileage, fuel efficient vehicle without compromising on great performance,” said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America. “TDI Truth & Dare will engage consumers in conversation while it educates them about the clean diesel facts and how well our TDI family compares against competitive alternative fuel offerings.”

(Source) Press

Tags: alternative fuel, clean diesel, diesel technology, fuel efficient vehicle, high mileage, launch, marketing volkswagen, myths, offerings, party sources, relevant facts, savings calculator, tank wars, third party, tim ellis, vice president of marketing, volkswagen of america

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As part of their DAS brand campaign, Volkswagen of America announces a collection of 30-second TV spot ads entitled “Meet the Volkswagens”. The new spots again feature Max the Beetle but also introduce a brand new character named BUS.

Voiced by actor Thomas Haden Church, BUS is a talking ruby red 1963 Volkswagen Micro Bus who draws upon Volkswagen’s tradition and heritage while creating clever vignettes that make subtle competitive comparisons in order to highlight key messages like mileage, fuel efficiency, cost of ownership and safety.

The campaign will run for 8 weeks and will be supported online and at dealerships nationwide. A first for Volkswagen, the TV spots will direct viewers to Facebook where they will experience information and messaging surrounding the campaign and other brand initiatives.

(Source) Press

Tags: Beetle, brand campaign, church bus, cost of ownership, fuel efficiency, heritage, initiatives, micro bus, mileage, ruby red, spot ads, thomas haden church, tradition, tv spot, tv spots, vignettes, volkswagen, volkswagen of america, volkswagens

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Volkswagen of America’s contribution to the green effort is now officially available in the market as the all-new Touareg TDI will be available in dealer showrooms in all 50 states this May. Value priced at $42,800, the Touareg TDI is the lowest priced diesel SUV currently available in the marketplace.

Purchasers of the 2009 Touareg TDI are eligible for a $1,150 Federal Income Tax Credit. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a certification letter affirming that the Touareg TDI qualifies for the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Federal Income Tax Credit.

“The $1,150 tax credit provides an even greater value to the upcoming Touareg TDI,” said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “All of our clean diesel vehicles offer consumers the fuel efficiency they’re looking for while providing power, utility, performance, safety and excellent value. The Touareg TDI is an excellent addition to our clean diesel model line.”

The Touareg TDI showcases the best of both worlds, an alternative fuel Sport Utility Vehicle that provides fuel efficiency and go anywhere driving capability. Touareg TDI meets the most stringent emissions standards of all 50 states.

EPA estimates the Touareg TDI’s fuel economy at 17 city and 25 highway. At 25 miles per gallon on the highway the Touareg TDI provides better fuel efficiency than many hybrid SUVs.

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.

(Source) Press

Tags: best of both worlds, better fuel efficiency, clean diesel, dealer showrooms, diesel vehicles, federal income tax, first source, fuel economy, hybrid suvs, income tax credit, lean burn, maintenance booklet, mark barnes, model line, sport utility vehicle, volkswagen of america, volkswagen of america inc, volkswagen touareg

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Volkswagen has long been an endorser of clean fuel, dating back to 2008 when they used clean diesel technology on the race track. Today, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced it will use B5 biodiesel to power its race cars, transport vehicles and generators during the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup season.

Houston-based HYPERFUELS will supply B5 biodiesel for the series, which is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing.

“We are extremely pleased to have HYPERFUELS as a partner for the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup series. SynDiesel(R) B5 biodiesel has been fully approved for use in all Volkswagen TDI powered vehicles that are available at local Volkswagen dealerships today,” said Clark Campbell, Motorsport Manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The addition of SynDiesel B5 biodiesel in the Jetta TDI Cup race cars further demonstrates the feasibility of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source for American consumers and supports the clean and green racing of the Jetta TDI Cup series,” added Campbell.

(Source) Press

Tags: alternative fuel, biodiesel, diesel technology, Jetta, jetta tdi, motorsport manager, sports car club, volkswagen dealerships, volkswagen of america, volkswagen of america inc, volkswagen tdi

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