Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Plant Achieves LEED Platinum Certification
Volkswagen’s Chattanooga manufacturing plant has been awarded platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building certification program. This makes VW the first automaker to reach the notoriously difficult, highest level of LEED certification.
To earn LEED certification, the project must satisfy all prerequisites and qualify for a minimum number of points to attain the established ratings. Once the basic prerequisites of the program are satisfied, applicant projects are then rated according to their degree of compliance within the rating system. The Green Building Council rates structures based on their environmental impact and other criteria such as energy and water consumption, use of raw materials, and recycling rates. Certifications are awarded according to the following scale:
Certified: 40-49 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Gold: 60-79 points
Platinum: 80 points and above
The new 1,400-acre facility where the U.S. Passat is built has been fitted with sophisticated technology as well as simple measures to conserve energy and water. These include using rainwater collected on the roof to cool welding equipment and flush toilets, constructing an ultra-clean paint shop, which is estimated to save 50 million gallons of water over 10 years, and installing LED lighting that uses two-thirds less energy.
“Volkswagen is committed to the US market,” said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “During the worst recession in the past century, we never wavered with our investment of a billion dollars to create this world-class facility. This certification underscores Volkswagen’s commitment to engineering excellence.”
The Volkswagen Academy was also certified by the USGBC as a Platinum LEED facility. The primary purpose of the Volkswagen Academy is to prepare new employees for work at the new plant. In conjunction with Chattanooga State and Tennessee Tech, the Academy also offers an Industrial Technology degree and an apprenticeship program. “We are very pleased that the Volkswagen Academy has been Platinum LEED Certified because this reflects the level of excellence that we expect and produce in the academy,” said Hans-Herbert Jagla, EVP of Human Resources.
The Volkswagen Chattanooga plant produces the all-new 2012 Passat, which has recently been named Motor Trend magazine’s 2012 Car of the Year, as well as having earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick rating, the highest possible from the non-profit safety research organization. The Passat TDI – the
Pacific Volkswagen Passat Test Drive Event October 14-16
You’ve heard about the all new Made In America Volkswagen Passat, now it’s time for you to find out just how good this car is! Pacific Volkswagen is having a test drive event this weekend, October 14-16 at our store at 14900 Hindry Ave in Hawthorne.
We will have all trim lines of the 2012 Passat available for you to look at, sit in and test drive. We will also have VW Specialists on hand to answer all the questions you may have. Test drive one of the new Passats during the weekend and you will receive a $25 gas card!
If you come on Friday, lunch is on us!!! We will have the World Famous Grilled Cheese Truck here from 12-2pm providing all their great eats!
Also during this event we have special pricing for 2012 Passat leases, that make getting into a new Passat easy for everyone. Come on down to Pacific Volkswagen and see just out impressive the new Passat is.
2012 Passat Test Drive Event This Saturday At Volkswagen Santa Monica
Lease a 2012 Passat S for $219** mo./36 mos. $1,999 due at signing (excluding titles, options, and dealer charges)
Offer good through 10/31/2011.
Free food and refreshments from the Kogi BBQ truck from 12-2pm.
The test drive event is from 10-3pm.
As a valued customer, we know you appreciate all things Volkswagen. Did you know that the all-new Passat has the most premium features standard in its class?† When you consider the price, the sleek new look, and the choice of engines – including the TDI® Clean Diesel that gets up to 43 miles per gallon†† – that turns into a pretty stellar deal. So what are you waiting for? Visit Volkswagen Santa Monica and test-drive the all-new Passat today.
Premium Features Standard:
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Automatic headlights
Intelligent Crash Response System
Multi-function steering wheel
One-touch control for all four windows
60/40-split folding rear seats
Automatic vehicle illumination
Bluetooth® technology
3-year/36,000-mile Carefree Maintenance‡
Volkswagen Santa Monica
2440 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
phone: (888) 394-4903
web: www.volkswagensantamonica.com
*Base MSRP of $19995 for 2012 Passat S with manual transmission. Prices exclude transportation, taxes, options, title, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price. **Based on MSRP of $23,460.00 (including destination charges) for a 2012 Passat 2.5L S with Appearance Package with automatic transmission, excluding title, tax, options and dealer fees. Excludes TDI models. Monthly payments total $7,884.00. Requires dealer contribution of $1,419.00, which could affect final negotiated transaction. Purchase option at lease end for $13,722.20. At lease end lessees responsible for $0.25/mile over 36,000 miles and excessive wear and tear. Dealer sets actual prices. Lessee responsible for insurance. Closed-end lease offered on approved credit by Volkswagen Credit through participating dealers. Supplies limited. U.S. cars only. Additional charges may apply at lease end. Initial vehicle availability may vary by dealer and location. See your Volkswagen dealer for financing details or for general product information call 1-800-Drive-VW. ©2011 Volkswagen of America, Inc. †Based on manufacturers’ published specifications comparing 2012 Passat S to 2011 non-premium midsize sedans. ††EPA estimate for 2012 Passat TDI Clean Diesel with manual transmission. Your mileage will vary. ‡3 yrs/36,000 miles of no-charge scheduled Carefree Maintenance, whichever comes first during term of new vehicle limited warranty. Some restrictions. See dealer or program for details. ©2011 Volkswagen of America, Inc.
All-New 2012 Passat, 8th Volkswagen to Receive a 2011 Top Safety Pick Award
Having moved North American production to Chattanooga, Tennessee, the all-new Volkswagen Passat has now been repositioned to compete at the heart of the mid-sized sedan market. Now it has earned the coveted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick rating for 2011, which is the highest possible for the non-profit safety research organization.
This annual rating recognizes vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute’s front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, along with the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. Top Safety Pick ratings are only awarded to vehicles that are fitted with electronic stability control and head protection airbags.
The Passat is the eighth Volkswagen vehicle to win the award for 2011. Among its winning siblings is the CC 2.0L TSI, Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Tiguan, Touareg, and four-door GTI models.
“Performance of the Passat is another example of Volkswagen’s ongoing commitment to engineer vehicles that earn the highest safety ratings,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “Top Safety Pick winners achieve that status by earning the top ratings in the Institute’s four demanding tests, and by having electronic stability control, the most important feature in helping drivers avoid many kinds of crashes in the first place.”
“The new Passat is an important vehicle for Volkswagen,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “It has been engineered in Germany specifically to compete in the heart of the North American mid-sized sedan segment.”
“To have IIHS recognize the Passat as the Top Safety Pick is a great statement for this new car–and to have eight Volkwagen models with this significant award is an equally great statement for the brand. It’s a testament to our commitment to make safety such a high priority in vehicle development, using advanced techniques such as laser seam welding and the extensive use of high-strength steel to build exceptionally strong structures.”
The Passat will hit our showrooms in the third week of September. Join our Facebook community or follow us on Twitter to be one of the first to know! Or contact us today and have one of our sales consultants contact you personally as soon as the vehicle arrives.
LAcarGUY Presents the Brentwood Grand Prix
On Sunday, August 7, 2011, racers from all over Southern California and Nevada will converge on San Vincente Blvd. in Brentwood to compete for the USA Cycling Regional Criterium Championship. The Southern California Nevada Cycling Association has chosen the Brentwood Grand Prix as the 2011 SCNCA Elite Criterium Championship and racers will be competing for the honor of wearing the coveted Bear Jersey.
In 2010 the Brentwood Grand Prix saw the largest field in its 3 year history with over 750 racers competing in front of more than 3000 spectators. This year, with the added prestige of the SCNCA Elite Criterium Championships we are expecting full race fields in all categories and greater numbers of spectators coming out for what is expected to be an exciting and fast day of racing.
A 2012 VW Passat from Volkswagen of Santa Monica will be the pace car during all races. Come by and visit us at our booth.
The All-New 2012 VW Passat Available for Under $20,000
The starting MSRP of $19,995 for the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat will definitely make it a strong contender in the highly competitive midsize segment. “The 2012 Passat is a true Volkswagen, offering German engineering, class-leading standard features, and superior fuel economy, all for a remarkable value,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Demonstrating our commitment to the American market, the car will be produced at one of the newest, most advanced, and environmentally responsible auto assembly plants in the world in Chattanooga, Tennessee.” The 2012 Passat offers exceptional standard features and premium options and will be available in three powertrains with multiple trim options, all at an equally impressive price.
The starting price of $19,995 will get you into the 2.5L with a six-speed manual transmission, giving you 170 horsepower. There are eight, count ‘em eight trim levels and standard are automatic dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, and Volkswagen’s no-charge three-year/36,000 mile schedule Carefree Maintenance Program.
At the next level, we have the SE that starts at $23,725 and it includes additional equipment such as 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, touchscreen Premium VIII radio, and a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel. See the pricing chart below for more details and additional model information.
Returning to the Passat lineup for 2012 is the TDI variant that comes equipped with VW’s 2.0L turbo diesel engine that is expected to deliver 43 mpg highway, with a range of nearly 800 miles. The TDI’s base package, the SE, comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, Volkswagen’s touchscreen Premium VIII radio and six-speed manual transmission. Volkswagen’s highly regarded DSG dual-clutch gearbox is an option.
Topping the range is the powerful 3.6L VR6 that has three trim levels with a starting MSRP of $28,995. Standard is the DSG gearbox that puts out 280 horsepower. Additional standard premium features include 18-inch alloy wheels, comfort sport seats, a sunroof, and a class exclusive Fender Premium Audio System.
Specifically designed for North America, the new Passat is much larger with more rear-seat legroom. It was designed to provide premium features unique to the U.S. market but at the same time, retaining the dynamic character that is expected of the Volkswagen.
Premium options include leather seating surfaces, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, wood decor, ambiance lighting, memory driver’s seat, power passenger seat, a choice of Volkswagen’s RNS 315 or RNS 510 navigation systems, front fog lights with static cornering lights, and keyless access with push button start. Also available is the new Fender Premium Audio System that will combine the raw emotion of live music with the driving experience.
| 2012 Passat Pricing | ||
| Model | Price | Features |
| 2.5L – S (man) | $19,995 | 16” steel wheels, six-speed manual transmission, Automatic dual-zone climate control, power locks & windows, body color mirror and door handles, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, 8-way manual driver seat, center armrest w/integrated storage box |
| 2.5L – S w Appearance(auto) | $22,690 | + Six-speed automatic transmission, 16” alloy wheels, rear center armrest w/storage |
| 2.5L – SE (man) | $23,725 | 17” alloy wheels, V-Tex leatherette, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, touchscreen Premium VIII radio, Multi-Function leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum trim dash and middle console, exterior chrome window trim, sliding front center armrest |
| 2.5L – SE (auto) | $24,825 | + Six-speed automatic transmission |
| 2.5L – SE w Sunroof | $25,625 | + Sunroof |
| 2.5L – SE w Sunroof/Nav | $26,795 | + RNS 315 Navigation with Mobile Device Interface (MDI) |
| 2.5L – SEL | $28,395 | + RNS 510 Navigation, Fender Premium Audio System, Homelink, comfort sport seats, interior chrome accents, wood grain interior décor, exterior chrome accents |
| 2.5L – SEL Premium | $29,895 | + leather seating surfaces, keyless access and remote start, fog lights, driver seat memory, 8-way power passenger seat |
| TDI – SE | $25,995 | 17” alloy wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, touchscreen Premium VIII radio, Multi-Function leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum trim dash and middle console, exterior chrome window trim, sliding front center armrest |
| TDI – SE w Sunroof | $27,895 | + Six-speed DSG automatic transmission, sunroof |
| TDI – SE w Sunroof/Nav | $29,495 | + 18” alloy wheels, RNS 315 Navigation, Mobile Device Interface (MDI), fog lights, exterior chrome accents |
| TDI – SEL Premium | $32,195 | + Leather seating surfaces, comfort sport seats, keyless access and remote start, RNS 510 Navigation, Fender Premium Audio System, driver seat memory, wood grain interior décor, 8-way power passenger seat, interior chrome accents |
| 3.6L – SE w Sunroof | $28,995 | Six-speed DSG automatic transmission18” alloy wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating, sunroof, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, comfort sports seats, touchscreen Premium VIII radio, Fender Premium Audio System, Multi-Function leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum trim dash and middle console, exterior chrome window trim, chrome dual exhaust, fog lights, sliding front center armrest |
| 3.6L – SE w Sunroof/Nav | $30,595 | + RNS 315 Navigation, MDI, exterior chrome accents |
| 3.6L – SEL Premium | $32,950 | Leather seating surfaces, keyless entry with remote start, RNS 510 navigation, driver seat memory, wood grain interior décor, 8-way power passenger seat, interior chrome accents |
| Destination | $770 | All prices exclude destination |
