THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF AND GOLF GTI WIN 2015 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced that the 2015 Golf and 2015 Golf GTI have been named the 2015 North American Car of the Year. The Golf and Golf GTI were recognized for setting new benchmarks in their segments, including innovation, distinguished design, and available driver assistance features, as well as unmatched value. The cars beat out two other finalists, vying for the award in the 22nd annual iteration of the prestigious award.

 “Volkswagen is thrilled to start 2015 with the Golf and Golf GTI taking home the incredible North American Car of the Year title,” said Michael Horn, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “This award highlights our achievements and hard work in the past year, and we are confident that the Golf family will continue to pave the way for the brand in the year ahead.”

The coveted 2015 North American Car of the Year award joins the list of a dozen accolades awarded to 2015 Golf models to date.

The German-engineered 2015 Golf family is currently available in four distinct versions: the sporty Golf GTI, the fun-to-drive Golf 1.8T, the Golf TDI® Clean Diesel and the all-electric, zero-tailpipe emissions e-Golf. The seventh-generation surpasses its compact class peers with a host of newly available driver assistance features and excellent EPA estimated highway fuel economy.

The Golf family will soon welcome two new additions: the all-new 292-horsepower, all-wheel drive Golf R, which sold out a pre-order of 500 units in less than 11 hours; and the TDI® Clean Diesel and turbocharged 1.8-liter TSI® Golf SportWagen models that go on sale in the spring.

The North American Car and Truck of the Year awards are announced each year at the beginning of media week at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. In 2015, 57 North American Car and Truck of the Year jurors from newspapers, television and radio stations, magazines and websites across the U.S. and Canada weighed in to select the vehicle that most exceeded expectations in all areas, ranging from design and safety to innovation and economy. Three finalists are winnowed down from an expansive list of all-new or significantly redesigned cars introduced in the past year. All ballots are sent directly to and calculated by Deloitte & Touche.

This is Volkswagen’s second North American Car of the Year award, following in the wheeltracks of the New Beetle in 1999. The Passat was a finalist in 2012; the Golf/TDI/GTI a finalist in 2010; and the Jetta TDI was a finalist in 2009.

THE 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI IS NAMED YAHOO AUTOS CAR OF THE YEAR

The 2015 Golf GTI was named the “Yahoo Autos Car of the Year.” The seventh-generation GTI beat 16 other contenders, from economy hatchbacks to luxury sedans to track-ready sports cars in five categories—performance, value, efficiency, design and engineering.

“Earning Yahoo Autos Car of the Year is further testament that the 2015 GTI is a highly competitive offering—within its segment and beyond,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “We are honored that the experts at Yahoo Autos have recognized the GTI as a no-compromise, quality vehicle that remains true to its enthusiast roots.”

Editors at Yahoo Autos scrutinized dozens of new 2015 model year vehicles for the third annual Yahoo Autos Car of Year award, eventually narrowing down to 17 contenders. Judges selected the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI after a week-long test by eight experts that included hundreds of miles in driving loops through cities and mountain routes, along with a thorough autocross day.

The 2015 Golf GTI is bigger, lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation. It redefines the hatchback category with enough space for five adults and more trunk space than any mid-size sedan. It also features Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, providing 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is 10 hp and 51 lb-ft higher than in the previous generation. The optional Performance Package, available later in the model year, adds another 10 hp for a total of 220 hp, larger brakes, and an electronically-controlled torque-sensing limited-slip differential.

The Golf GTI provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems, and has been engineered to meet or exceed all current crash regulations. All Golf GTI models are available with the Driver Assistance Package, which adds a Forward Collision Warning system and front and rear Park Distance Control systems. When equipped with the package, the 2015 Golf GTI 4-door is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+.

Standard equipment of the all-new GTI also includes a new Driving Mode Selection feature, VW Car-Net® connected services, a touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, ambient and footwell lighting with LED reading lights, and LED foglights. Pricing for the all-new Golf GTI starts car starts at $24,395.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EARNS TOP SAFETY PICK+ RATING FROM THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY

2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

The redesigned 2015 Jetta, when equipped with the optional Forward  Collision Warning system, has been named a 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2015 Jetta offers a combination of both passive and active systems and has been engineered to meet or exceed current crash regulations. The Jetta features a number of available driver assistance systems, including Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert and Forward Collision Warning.

Blind Spot Monitor. This system utilizes a flashing symbol in the outer area of the side mirrors to help alert the driver to vehicles that are in the vehicle’s blind spot or approaching from the rear. This is intended to help improve driver awareness when changing lanes. The system uses radar sensors to "monitor" a space around the vehicle with a range of approximately 65 feet. Customers who choose the Blind Spot Monitor option automatically get the Rear Traffic Alert assistance system as well.

Rear Traffic Alert. The new driver assistance system is offered in tandem with Blind Spot Monitor. The system not only helps alert the driver to stationary and moving vehicles directly behind the vehicle; it also detects vehicles approaching from the side which may be difficult for the driver to see. The radar-based sensor module can even detect objects up to 65 feet away. In case of an impending collision, the system gives an acoustic warning.

Forward Collision Warning. This system uses radar sensors to monitor the distance from traffic ahead of the vehicle. The Forward Collision Warning system helps alert the driver of critical front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a clear warning symbol in the instrument cluster. The radar sensor acquires both the position of stationary cars and motorcycles and those moving in the same direction as the vehicle. The sensor is hidden behind the VW logo on the radiator grille.

All Jetta models are equipped with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), six airbags, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA).

“The redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Jetta not only brings a sleek new design but also offers customers state-of-the-art technology, creating the ideal combination of Volkswagen design, performance, and world-class engineering,” said Mark McNabb, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “To have IIHS recognize the vehicle as a Top Safety Pick + confirms that our commitment to safety and engineering pays off in delivering a standout compact vehicle.”

The 2015 Jetta is already on sale in U.S. dealerships. The lineup will offer three gasoline engines, a TDI Clean Diesel, and a hybrid powertrain, as well as four trim levels—Base, S, SE, and SEL.

The Driver Assistance Package is available on select Jetta models, and includes the Forward Collision Warning system. "Top Safety Pick+" is based on good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraint tests; no less than an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test; and at least a basic rating for front crash prevention. For details, visit www.iihs.org.

BISMARCK MOTOR COMPANY HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR NEW LOCATION

Bismarck Motor Company, a Kupper Automotive dealership, recently held their groundbreaking ceremony for their new location Thurs., Aug. 14. The new location, which will boast 12.5 acres to stock new and used vehicles, is at the intersection of Highway 83 and 57^th Ave NE, north of Furniture Row.

Over 60 attendees were present at the ceremony, including representatives of Volkswagen of America, Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce and the Kupper Automotivedealership family. Following the ceremony, appetizers and beverages were served.

“We are so excited and grateful that so many people were able to come out and share this day with us,” said Chris Schneider, General Manager of Bismarck Motor Company.

The new building will feature 25,000 square feet for the Honda building, 15,000 square feet for the Nissan building and 12,000 square feet for the Volkswagen building. It will also feature the state’s only in-dealership coffee shop.

“The new stores will be the most state-of-the-art facilities in all of North Dakota,” says Bob Kupper. “We will have 12.5 acres to display and stock vehicles, making our location the area’s largest selection of vehicles.”

The new location is slated to be completed in June 2015.

For more information, visit Bismarck Motor Company online at www.bismarckmotorcompany.com.

Meet Your (Auto) Match with the All-New VW.com

The redesigned VW.com website allows consumers to shop desired features and instantly connect to available vehicles at dealerships near them

Volkswagen of America officially launched a newly redesigned VW.com (www.vw.com) today, following a soft launch late last week. This uses functionality influenced by online dating and e-commerce to let consumers easily shop for cars based on desired features, such as color or price, among the available inventory of more than 80,000 vehicles at Volkswagen dealerships nationwide.

“With the new VW.com experience, consumers don’t need to know our product lineup to find a car that's right for them,” said Vinay Shahani, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Volkswagen of America. “Consumers simply select the features they want, and VW.com instantly connects them to a range of options based on both their needs and available inventory in their area. We’re excited to be at the forefront of this type of online innovation that utilizes a truly intuitive approach.”

The newest inventory-led shopping experience in branded auto sites 
Traditional branded car shopping sites invite consumers to configure cars to match their preferences — but those vehicles aren’t always in stock. VW.com combines the buying and configuring tools at each stage of the shopping process, allowing consumers to shop for the features they want, and view a variety of cars available at dealerships near them. The site features more than 80,000 “profile” pages, playing off of popular online dating sites, for instock vehicles nationwide.

“Consumers who come to a dealership because of inventory online are twice as likely to make a purchase as those who came from a configurator that’s not attached to accessible inventory,” Shahani says. “VW.com helps connect people with cars that are actually available for sale.”

VW.com puts the shopper first
Each individual car for sale has a comprehensive profile page with pictures, features, specs, limited warranty, awards, accessories and dealer information—as well as tools, such as a Payment Estimator, on the vehicle detail page where the consumer needs it. Additionally, VW.com was designed for the tablet first, so one of the first things a shopper will notice is a clean, image-rich design that makes it simple to navigate.

“Our goal was to put the consumer’s needs first,” says Winston Binch, Chief Digital Officer at Deutsch LA, Volkswagen’s digital agency of record and the developer of VW.com. “We did that by keeping things radically simple, reducing clicks, and focusing on getting people to real cars quickly—not vehicle configurations that are hard to find in real life.”

Features of the new VW.com
All of the images on a car model page reflect the exact colors and features of that particular model. In addition to gallery imagery, 360-degree views and highlighted features, each model page has all available trims linkable to current inventory. Customers can “favorite” individual cars that interest them, and access those vehicles from the main navigation.

Features of the new VW.com include:

• Inventory-led shopping experience: Customers can specify desired features and find cars near them that match their needs from the VW.com inventory of more than 80,000 vehicle profiles.
• Non-linear shopping flow: Customers can find cars through a variety of search capabilities, from style and color (“red convertible”) to specific features (“premium sound”), and each car has its own profile page−not dissimilar from popular dating site profile pages as well.
• Contextual information and tools: Tools such as the Payment Estimator are built into the shopping experience so users don’t need to leave the profile page to get to them.
• Full model line information: Each model page has all available trims linkable to current inventory.
• Feature-focused inventory pages: Certain high-profile features such as Fender® Premium Audio System have their own pages, which also display inventory.
• Real-time feed with Volkswagen news: All VW social content is aggregated into a single interface, so users can keep their finger on the brand's pulse. Content can be sorted by model.

DealerMatch
The buying process has also become more streamlined for Volkswagen dealers. VW recently partnered with DealerMatch to create an online marketplace where Volkswagen dealers can buy and sell used vehicles among themselves.

IT’S OFFICIAL: VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA HAS SOLD MORE THAN 100,000 TDI® CLEAN DIESEL VEHICLES IN 2013

Herndon, VA -  Volkswagen Group of America reported that it has sold 100,000 TDI® Clean Diesel vehicles from the Volkswagen and Audi brands this year. This is the first time it has reached this milestone in a calendar year. Volkswagen and Audi currently offer 12 different TDI Clean Diesel powered models in the United States. 

Audi and Volkswagen pioneered TDI® Clean Diesel engines and, as a result, the Volkswagen Group of America is the current market leader in Clean Diesel. Today’s Clean Diesel engines deliver more torque, better highway fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions compared with equivalent gasoline engines. As a result, Audi and Volkswagen deliver remarkable performance and impressive fuel economy. 

“Selling more than 100,000 TDI Clean Diesel vehicles is a significant milestone for Volkswagen Group of America,” said Mark McNabb, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America. “We’re excited to see the increasing numbers of customers able to enjoy the reliability, durability, fuel-efficiency and power of the clean diesel engine.” 

“The past year has shown that American consumers clearly recognize the benefits of clean diesel TDI vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “They understand now more than ever that this is a technology delivering real answers to society’s concerns about fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions without compromises.” 

More than 75 percent of the diesel engines sold in the passenger car and SUV segments in the United States can be found under the hoods of Volkswagen and Audi models. Ever since 1977, when Volkswagen first offered a diesel in the Rabbit, the company has sold more than one million cars and SUVs powered by these engines in this market. High-mileage, TDI® Clean Diesel Volkswagen models accounted for 21 percent of sales in November and 24 percent of sales year-to-date, the best year-to-date results on record. 

In 2013, Audi showed it intends to remain at the forefront of clean diesel expansion in the U.S. by dramatically enhancing its lineup with the new Audi Q5 TDI, A6 TDI, A7 TDI and A8 TDI models. Those premium models joined the Audi Q7 SUV in the market, and next summer Audi will introduce its most fuel-efficient model, the all-new A3 TDI sedan.

The TDI models in the Audi and Volkswagen lineup deliver up to 30% better fuel economy and 12%-30% lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline engines and there is no need for driver behavior change except to move from one pump to the other and no need for big infrastructure changes.

Volkswagen offers Clean Diesel technology in seven different models, six of which get an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 40 mpg or more on the highway. The models include the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat and Touareg.