Archive for December, 2010

22
Dec

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced its annual list of winners for the Top Safety Pick Award. The list consisted of 66 winning models spread out across 8 different categories:

  • Large cars
  • Midsize cars
  • Small cars
  • Minicar
  • Minivan
  • Large SUVs
  • Midsize SUVs
  • Small SUVs

Volkswagen models were represented in 4 out of 8 categories. In fact, out of 66 winners Volkswagen secured 9 spots. That represents almost 14% of all vehicles selected to be the safest among 2011 models. It is also worth noting that in the Large SUV category, Volkswagen Touareg was the ONLY winner out of comparable vehicles.

Volkswagen Top Safety Pick Models

  1. 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  2. 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  3. 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  4. 2011 Volkswagen GTI
  5. 2011 Volkswagen Jetta (Sedan and SportWagen)

This is great news for Volkswagen as this win comes on the heels of a recent Volkswagen recall announcement.

About Top Safety Pick Award

The IIHS is a government-independent agency responsible to safety checks across all vehicles sold in the United States. The agency conducts various crash tests for any new models that hit the market. It releases rankings for each model on its website and also posts an annual Top Safety Pick list.

The IIHS was first established in 1959. It has been funded by auto insurers ever since. IIHS is not associated with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), government agency responsible for car safety standards.

Category : Volkswagen Information | Blog
16
Dec

Just like any other major industry in the United States, car manufacturers have their own lobbying group. The group, known as Auto Alliance, consists of the following known members:

  • General Motors
  • Toyota Motors
  • Volkswagen

The group announced that it spent close to $4.6 million in the first 3 quarters of 2010 on lobbying. The money was spent convincing and educating law makers on topics such as  electric vehicles, vehicle diagnostic equipment, pollution, alcohol detection technology and other various topics.

If you don’t have $4.6 million to invest in your car (wink-wink), feel free to get an extended warranty plan and protect yourself from expensive repair bills.

Category : Non-Volkswagen Brands | Blog
15
Dec

Volkswagen and Chrysler have announced today that both companies will be issuing a massive recall on or before January 31, 2011.

Volkswagen recall summary:

  • 413,000 Volkswagens are impacted
    • 2007-2009 Volkswagen Golf
    • 2007-2009 Volkswagen Jetta
    • 2007-2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
    • 2006-2010 Volkswagen Beetle
  • Fire risk is identified as the main reason for the recall
    • 2007-2009 Volkswagen Golf, Jetta and Rabbit: windshield fluid reservoir could rub against a fuel supply, which could catch fire if the fluid reservoir was to lead
    • 2006-2010 Volkswagen Beetle: hydraulic hose clamp fastened in the wrong place, which may run against fuel supply line, presenting a fire risk

Both companies are expected to announce more details about the recall in the coming weeks. It is expected that Volkswagen and Chrysler will address the problem at no charge for existing vehicle owners.

As always, be sure to check the latest information on Volkswagen recalls.

Category : Volkswagen Maintenance | Blog
11
Dec

Volkswagen’s most recent product developed: Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen Amarok is a truck (pick up truck) built by Volkswagen. It succeeds Volkswagen Taro (pick up truck developed by Volkswagen back in 1989).  Volkswagen Amarok was first launched in Argentina in December 2009 and, so far, seems to be picking up all the good praise. Recently, in November 2010, Volkswagen Amarok was awarded a 4-star safety crash rating by the European crash rating agency.

No word on the release to the US market yet.

What’s under the hood of Volkswagen Amarok?

  • 2.0 liter engine (diesel or petrol)
  • 6-speed manual transmission
  • 29-31 MPG fuel consumption (estimated)
  • Front-end, rear-wheel OR 4motion Four-wheel drive

Volkswagen reportedly expects to manufacturer as much as 90,000 trucks per year once production is at full capacity.

Category : Volkswagen Models | Blog
10
Dec

Rumors have circulated around the web on November 9, 2010 that Volkswagen is bringing in Volkswagen Golf R into the US market in 2012. What’s so special about Volkswagen Golf R?

Volkswagen Golf R “Suspected” Specs:

  • Turbocharged 2.0 liter engine
  • 270 horsepower
  • Haldex 4Motion all-wheel drive system
  • 2-door and 4-door models
  • Manual transmission ONLY

The retail price has not yet been announced.

Category : Volkswagen Models | Blog
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