Volkswagen BlueMotion Models Honored as 2010 World Green Car

NEW YORK, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen AG and Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today the BlueMotion product brand consisting of the Golf, Passat, and Polo, was declared the 2010 World Green Car of the Year by the World Car of The Year organization.  

The Volkswagen BlueMotion models were awarded Green Car of The Year by 59 World Car jurors from 25 countries throughout the world.  The 59 member jury awarded the BlueMotion product brand over two other finalists in the 2010 World Green Car award: the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.

Jurors felt that, "It is not necessary to add an electric motor and a heavy battery pack to achieve class-leading efficiency. Based on Volkswagen's common-rail diesel engines, the BlueMotion models are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. In fact, the Passat BlueMotion can travel just about 1,000 miles on one tank of fuel in the European cycle. As far as internal combustion engines go today, these models are the ultimate you can get."

"BlueMotion is one of the most successful efficiency brands worldwide.  It stands for tremendous competence in efficient and economical drive trains at Volkswagen," said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, delighted about the appreciation by the jury.

The award was received at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday morning by Walter de'Silva, head of design for Volkswagen Group.

As part of the annual World Car awards, World Green Car has become one of the world's most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its kind. Due to the complexity of some of the 'green' technologies, three green experts were appointed by the World Car Steering Committee to extensively review all documentation and specs associated with each candidate.

Text and photos are available at www.volkswagen-media-services.com

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 New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Passat Wagon, Eos, 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 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.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.