"Volkswagen is proud to have a variety of its vehicles recognized and enjoyed by today's buyers through Strategic Vision's Total Value Index," said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "All five of these models represent the core values and abilities that set the Volkswagen brand apart, with a combination of innovative design inside and out, fuel efficient engine options, and fun-to-drive, German-inspired driving characteristics."

The Strategic Vision Total Value Index was calculated from 48,228 buyers who purchased a 2009 model year vehicle between September 2008 and March 2009. The vehicles' Total Value is calculated starting with clear statements that owners make about value, including the price paid, innovation, expected reliability, fuel economy, resale value, and more. Strategic Vision then incorporates the importance of the variables that make up the entire ownership experience, and determines the vehicles' worth of the attributes compared against the costs involved, also known as the "True Value." The Strategic Vision Total Value Awards(TM) have been presented annually since 1995.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, and Tiguan are available now at Volkswagen dealerships across the U.S.

About 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 Golf, GTI, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2010 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 www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

About Strategic Vision

Strategic Vision is a research-based consultancy with thirty-five years of experience in understanding the consumers' and constituents' decision-making systems for a variety of clients, including most automotive manufacturers, American Airlines and Procter & Gamble. Its unique expertise is in identifying consumers' comprehensive motivational hierarchies, including the product attributes, personal benefits, value/emotions and images that drive perceptions and behaviors. J. Susan Johnson, CEO of Strategic Vision, coined the phrase "True Innovators" and we measure this construct in the detailed Total Value Index report. The ValueCentered(R) psychology and research methods were defined by Dr. Darrel Edwards in 1968, and enhanced by co-founders J. Susan Johnson (1972) and Sharon Shedroff (1975).

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.

http://www.vw.com

2010 Automobile of the Year: Volkswagen GTI (http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1001_2010_automobile_of_the_year_2010_volkswagen_gti/index.html) The 2010 Automobile of the Year award marks the first time in the history of AUTOMOBILE Magazine that a single make and model has won the honor twice.

While many cars have attempted to crack the code of the Volkswagen GTI, editors said that none have succeeded. The key to that code is the car's blend of athleticism, practicality, and performance that was the basis of the original GTI and which was resurrected in the Mark 5 edition, the current GTI's predecessor and the winner of the 2008 Automobile of the Year. Editors noted that, when pitted against a rich selection of the best 2010 model year cars, such as the Porsche Panamera S, the Jaguar XFR, and the BMW Z4, the GTI was not the least bit out of its league, thanks to the car's crisp steering, super communicative chassis, and a firm but well-damped ride. On the track, editors called the Volkswagen GTI "the best slicer and dicer on the market today" and "a superb little rocket."

"The Volkswagen GTI continues to fan the affordable-enthusiast-car flame like no other vehicle in the world," said Jean Jennings, president and editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. "In this day and age, we are looking for cars that are not just fast, but also practical and fuel-efficient. The GTI is all of that, plus it's fun and doesn't cost a ton."

Man of the Year: Alan Mulally, CEO, Ford Motor Company (http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1001_2010_man_of_the_year_alan_mulally_ceo_ford_motor_company/index.html) That Ford stands alone as the one remaining independent among Big Three automakers is largely due to one man. For this achievement, and for steering Ford onto a clearly defined road toward success, Alan Mulally is Automobile Magazine's 2010 Man of the Year.

Mulally has made a series of bold moves since joining Ford in 2006. He foresaw a difficult road in the auto market and prepared the company financially by mortgaging Ford's assets, and he also united an insular, divisive culture-no small feat. In addition, Mulally has brought a "laser focus" to the company's core operations, selling off most of Ford's glamorous nameplates and making the Ford brand king in Dearborn, with the long neglected Lincoln the crown prince.

"Ford Motor Company is in a position to succeed and to capitalize on the public goodwill it generated when it said 'no, thanks' to the Feds," said Joe DeMatio, executive editor for AUTOMOBILE Magazine. "The company is just beginning to find its way, but with Alan Mulally at the wheel, we're confident it will not simply survive, but prosper."

Design of the Year: 2010 Nissan Cube (http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1001_2010_design_of_the_year_2010_nissan_cube/index.html) Calling it "fun, funky and futuristic," AUTOMOBILE editors named the idiosyncratic Nissan Cube Design of the Year. Noting that the Cube does not meet the traditional standards of automotive beauty or elegance, editors said the Cube has plenty of charm to go around.

"The Cube is funny looking, but in an agreeable sort of way," said Robert Cumberford, design editor of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. "One can wonder whether Nissan consulted an expert in the art of Feng Shui when it created the interior of the Cube. It offers a sense of unlimited space. The amount of headroom, elbow room, and legroom makes the Cube feel more like a limo than the upmarket economy car it actually is."

Technology of the Year: Lithium-Ion Batteries (http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1001_2010_technology_of_the_year_lithium_ion_batteries/index.html) After decades of research and a lengthy apprenticeship energizing cell phones, laptops, and power tools, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have begun closing the gap between today's petroleum-fueled transportation and the electric cars of the future. 2010 will stand as an important milestone as the technology takes a wider stage with some much-anticipated electric cars hitting the road. For that, the Li-ion battery is AUTOMOBILE Magazine's 2010 Technology of the Year.

"The most efficient way to boost mileage while reducing emissions is to phase in more electric-drive systems, and the lithium-ion battery is the great enabler for advanced hybrids and pioneering electrics," said Don Sherman, technical editor of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. "The Tesla Roadster and the Mini E have taught us not to discount pure electrics, and the Chevrolet Volt, the Fisker Karma, and the Nissan Leaf will arrive later this year to further the electric-propulsion cause. Along with the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, these cars bear watching, because they're the first vehicles equipped with Li-ion batteries."

About AUTOMOBILE Magazine AUTOMOBILE Magazine (http://www.automobilemag.com/index.html), part of Source Interlink Media LLC, has a circulation of 550,000 and a total readership of 4.3 million. Recipient of more editorial awards than any other major automotive publication, AUTOMOBILE Magazine is designed to appeal to the interests of passionate automotive enthusiasts. Its diverse editorial mix includes behind-the-wheel experiences in the world's most fascinating cars, as well as personalities, travel destinations, automotive art, vintage cars and industry trends. Source Interlink Media LLC is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services, a leading U.S. distributor of home entertainment products and services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/11/prweb3059044.htm.

PRWeb.com

In addition to investments in property, plant and equipment, around E5.9 billion of the total represents capitalized development costs. This is the outcome of the investment planning for the years 2010 to 2012.

At E13.3 billion, the group is reportedly targeting the majority of its spending on property, plant and equipment in the automotive division for modernizing and expanding its product range.

The main emphasis is on new vehicles, successor models and model variants in almost all vehicle classes, based on the multi-brand modular matrix strategy.

In the area of powertrains, the group expects to introduce new engine generations. Automatic gearbox capacity is expected to be aligned with growing demand.

In addition, the company plans to invest E6.6 billion in cross-product technologies in the coming three years. Outside manufacturing, investments are planned mainly in the areas of development, quality assurance, genuine parts supply and IT.

The company has said that the construction of the new plant in North America is currently is progress, and the plant will start operations in 2011. Production at the new facilities in Russia and India is already being ramped up.

The joint venture companies in China are not consolidated and are therefore not included in the investments. These companies will reportedly invest a total of E4.4 billion between 2010 and 2012.

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Volkswagen expects to begin vehicle production in Osnabruck in 2011. According to present plans, this is expected to create over 1,000 jobs by 2014. Ongoing development contracts will continue in effect.

According to the company, some 200 specialists will already be needed from 2009 to start production and set up the vehicle project.

Volkswagen will hold final negotiations with the shareholders of the Karmann holding company and the administrator.

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