Everything Volkswagen for Northern Virginia VW owners, fans & more. Buying a VW in Fairfax, Loudoun and DC is easy with Stohlman Automotive Family Tyson’s Corner
It is extremely sad to share that Stohlman VW Certified Master, Harry Vannie passed away earlier this week. After battling numerous complications, Harry passed Sunday morning. We are all devastated by this loss, and send our thoughts and prayers to his family. Harry was a respected and beloved member of the Nova Dubs community, and will be missed by many. Below is his obituary and information about funeral arrangements. Also, the Nova Dubs community has arranged a final cruise for Harry on Saturday, the 22nd (tomorrow) before his funeral at 7:30am, meeting in Fairfax, VA. Also, if you haven't already, please donate to Harry's GoFundMe page. Donations will go to directly to his wife Kris to help funeral costs. http://www.gofundme.com/harryvannie
________________________________________________ Harry Fumba Vannie January 3, 1975 - November 16, 2014 Our family is deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Harry Fumba Vannie passed away on November 16, 2014 at Georgetown University Hospital, in Washington, DC after valiantly fighting a sudden illness. He is survived by his wife Kristina, and his three children, Avery, Angelina and Winifred, his mother, Winifred Kargbo (Dr. Charles Kargbo), his brother, Sam, and Sister, Jenneh, as well as a host of cousins, uncles and aunts, and a large number of friends who considered him family. He is predeceased by his father Isaac Morlay Vannie. Regarded by all as one of the nicest people you would ever meet, Harry leaves behind a legacy of good will and genuine friendship, his love of family, love of cars and his overall love of life. We will all miss Harry and his unique ability to brighten a room, encourage a friend, and revive our spirit. Arrangements to honor Harry’s life are listed below: Wake held on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 7:00pm – 9:00pm J.B. Jenkins Funeral Home 7474 Landover Road Hyattsville, MD 20785 Funeral Service held on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 10:00am The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 11525 Prospect Hill Road Glenn Dale, MD 20769 Repast will be held at 3pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 11525 Prospect Hill Road Glenn Dale, MD 20769
________________________________________________
When I think Halloween, I think about candy, costumes, and pumpkins. When I think of pumpkins, I think of lattes, pie, and orange colored VW's. Currently there's no Volkswagen model that offers an orange paint job from the manufacturer, but did you know there were many offered in the past? Here's a handful of orange VW's that have a special place in my heart that are no longer in production.
1969 Karmann Ghia
Ahh, the beautiful Karmann Ghia. No longer a production model, the Karmann Ghia was a sports car coupe that debuted in 1955, and later released as a convertible in 1957. She was only in production till 1974, but in 1969 was offered in a beautiful Signal Orange and Sunset Orange. The video below features a 69 Ghia that I believe is a Sunset Orange, which was a more brownish Orange than Signal Orange was.
The Classic Beetle is an iconic vehicle for the Volkswagen brand. The original Beetle was many first cars for folks, as well as first loves. In 1971, the Beetle had a beautiful Clementine color available, and Brilliant Orange in 1974.
Years later when the Beetle was redesigned and reintroduced, the New Beetle would offer Snap Orange in 2002, and Sundown Orange 2003-2005, definitely paying homage to the original Beetle, with a much more modern twist.
Yes, there really was a model called the Thing. VW's Type 181 was manufactured from 1968-1983, originally developed for military use. The Thing was a four door, two wheel drive, off road convertible that was all sorts of different. The model didn't last long in the U.S. due to failing to meet safety standards for a passenger vehicle, and was dropped from the line up in America in 1975.
The 90's and 2000's had a slew of orange colored VW's. From the 1996 Cinnabar Orange Cabrio, to Magma Orange in the 2007 Fahrenheit GTI, orange was a fun color for our fun hatchbacks. Tropic Orange was present for several years, beginning with the Golf in 1999, then the 2000 GTI. It even had a variation in 2001, with a Tropic Orange Metallic for the GTI. My favorite orange of the 2000's though was the special edition Fahrenheit GTI. The Fahrenheit GTI was the first special edition for the mk5 generation in North America, and came in a beautiful Magma Orange in 2007. The Fahrenheit GTI had a limited production number of 1200, just like its yellow Fahrenheit GLI counterpart, making this special edition very rare. The Fahrenheit edition was only available as a DSG, and had special Fahrenheit badging, commemorative plating on the steering wheel, body color interior panels, and orange stitching.
Of course there were other models that featured orange, like the Type 2 VW bus, but the models listed above happened to have a special place in my heart. Which orange VW's do you fancy? Let us know by tweeting us @stohlmanauto. Until next time, Happy Halloween!
Sad to say, but the rumors this time are true. This is the final year for our beautiful Eos. The Eos, our hard top convertible with a sunroof, is approaching the end of its life cycle, and will not be reintroduced with a new design in the immediate future. The Eos was never a target vehicle for most markets throughout the world, so unfortunately this year will be our fair goddess' swan song. But her final year will definitely be one her best, offering brand new special features for 2015.
The Eos gets two new exterior color options for her final year. Candy White will be replaced with Pure White like the rest of the line up, while Salsa Red will be replaced with Flash Red. Flash Red has a brighter tone than Salsa Red did, and is currently only available for the 2015 Eos. Definitely makes it a unique color available only on Komfort and Executive trim levels.
The biggest change point will be that the mid level Sport trim will be replaced with the Eos Final Edition trim. The Final Edition trim will include many of the same features offered in the Sport trim from 2014, with the addition of several unique additions. A special two-tone Cornsilk Beige and Titanium Black Vienna leather interior will be featured, as well as a unique interior trim with black radio surround and "Silver Net" decor stitching detail. A rearview camera will also be available with the standard RNS 315 Navigation system.
What hasn't changed is what the Eos has packing under the hood and its stunning curb appeal. The Eos will continue to have the 2.0L TSI engine (200 hp/207 lb-ft of torque) with a 6-speed DSG transmission. The Eos' unique multi-piece folding hardtop gives our luxurious hard top top convertible the Coupe-Sunroof capability. Perfect for those times when you just want a little bit of air, and a roof still over your head.
The Eos' well equipped base Komfort model will have a 2015 base price of $35,795 MSRP, with features including dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth with audio streaming, RNS 315 touchscreen navigation system, and a 12 way power adjustable driver's comfort seat. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to pick up the perfect convertible, this may be your moment. The Eos is on its way out, so head out to Tyson's before its too late! In in the meantime, tweet us @stohlmanautoandlet us know what you think of the Final Edition. Until next time!
The 2015 Jetta is about to make everything a little sweeter. The updates can be seen both inside and out, including new driver assistance technology and a curb appeal that is even more irresistible than before. This is the model from the mk6 generation that you've been waiting for, and we couldn't be happier that it's finally here.
Working our way inside out, we begin with our engines. The Jetta will have 5 different engine options for 2015, including the all new 1.8L TSI engine (170 hp/184 lb-ft of torque) and the new 2.0L TDI engine with 10 more horsepower and 10%-15% more fuel efficiency (150 hp/236 lb-ft of torque). The Jetta Hybrid is back with its 1.4L TSI/electric motor (combined 170 hp/ 184 lb-ft of torque) with a big update. Like its Touareg Hybrid counterpart, the Jetta Hybrid will only be available one way - FULLY LOADED. New features for the Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium trim will include:
- Auto headlights with Coming Home/Leaving Home feature
- Rain sensor
- Blind Spot Detection with Rear Traffic Alert
- HomeLink
- Park Distance Control
- Autodimming rearview camera
Man, those features sound fantastic, right? But is Hybrid not your thing? No need to fear, our gasoline and TDI fans now can get the lighting and driver assistance packages too! The 1.8L TSI, updated 2.0L TSI (210 hp/207 lb-ft of torque), and 2.0L TDI SEL trim models can get these awesome new features that weren’t available before.
The Optional Lighting Package will include:
- Interior ambient lighting
- Bi-Xenon headlights w/ AFS
- LED DRLs
- Upgraded multifunction display
- Front fog lamps with static cornering
The Optional Driver Assistance Package will include:
- Updated multifunction display
- Forward Collision Warning system
- Blind Spot Detection
- Rear Traffic Alert
The Blind Spot Detection and Rear Traffic Alert is a unique feature only available currently on the 2015 Jetta. The Rear Traffic Alert will warn you when it detects anything moving more than 3 mi/hr within the scanned radius when in reverse. No need to fear the grocery store parking lot again!
Our base Jetta S with its 2.0L (115 hp/125 lb-ft of torque) engine will also get some variety this model year. The Jetta S gets a new optional Technology Package for those who want to ball out on a smaller budget. The Technology Package for the Jetta S will include:
- Premium 8 touchscreen audio system with Sirius XM satellite radio
- KESSY “GO” featuring push-button Start/Stop only (no keyless entry system)
- Rearview camera (standard on all trim levels for 2015 Jetta except Jetta S)
And of course standard features for all trims for the 2015 Jetta now include Bluetooth, cruise control, and a multifunction steering wheel with audio and telephone controls.
The exterior has also gotten some updates. Candy White and Tempest Blue are out. Pure White and Silk Blue Metallic are IN. These beautiful new colors are sure to catch anyone’s attention. Exterior design updates include front and rear bumpers,front and rear fascia, newly designed taillight, and new designs for wheels and wheel covers.
To quote the latest Jetta advertising campaign, VW is seriously “introducing a whole lot of new” for the 2015 year model. Head out to Tyson’s soon to check out the 2015 Jetta, and in the meantime tweet us @stohlmanauto. Until next time!
Stohlman VW is bringing awareness this October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Approximately 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life, an alarming statistic that affects us all.
The staff at Stohlman will be wearing pink polos for the entire month of October, to show support and honor those that have fought the battle. The staff and I have all been affected in some way by this terrible disease, and we hope that local organizations like the National Institution of Health and the National Cancer Institute will find a cure soon.
We have sad news this week from Stohlman VW. One of our Certified VW Sales Consultants, Harry Vannie has fallen ill and is currently in critical condition at Georgetown University Medical Center. After what was thought to be just symptoms of a cold that was going around, Harry sought out treatment at Inova Loudoun Hospital early last week after encouragement from his wife, Kris. Unfortunately, his diagnosis turned out to be more serious than a little cold. He was helicoptered to Geogetown University Medical Center’s Critical Care Center, where his family was informed that Harry had developed a severe infection that led to Sepsis. Sepsis is a potential life threatening complication from an infection. Sepsis occurs when chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight the infection causes inflammation throughout the system. In Harry’s case, his sepsis led to septic shock, triggering multiple organ failure. He is currently fighting for his life in a medically induced coma and life support.
(Harry's family with his 2013 Golf R - Photo by Alles Gute)
Harry was born in Liberia, a country in West Africa. At home, Harry and his wife Kris, have two beautiful daughters. Before joining Stohlman, he had over 14 years of experience in the automotive industry. A very knowledgable VW Product Specialist and true enthusiast, Stohlman was thrilled when Harry decided to join the the VW team in Tyson’s this year. Harry and his wife are also active members of the Nova Dubs community. He currently drives a beautiful 2013 Tornado Red Golf R. Red was a very limited color produced for the MK6 R, so if you ever saw a red R around Northern Virginia, you could bet it was Harry cruising. Before falling ill, Harry was looking forward to attending H20i with his wife in Ocean City, Maryland, which took place this past weekend. His wife Kris, drives a CC R-Line.
With Harry being in a coma, the bills at the hospital and at home are stacking up. In the car business, paid sick days don’t really exist. Ryan Berg, a member of the Nova Dubs community, was generous enough to set up a GoFundMe for Harry and his family. All donations go straight to his wife Kris, to help pay for living expenses and hospital care. Kris has been spending day and night next to Harry, praying for a speedy recovery. Please help us show support for Harry and his family. Because of his current condition, he cannot receive fresh flowers or fruit, so please consider donating to Harry’s GoFundMe instead. Every dollar counts and is appreciated. We’re praying for you Harry, and cannot wait for you to return to Stohlman VW, healthy and happy.
(Scott Speed and #77 7UP VW Polo GRC. Photo by VWoA)
It was a big week for our iconic Beetle. The Volkswagen Andretti RallyCross team made some big moves in Los Angeles this past weekend. Both Scott Speed and Tanner Foust had an eventful weekend in the city of Angels, with Speed securing his third win for the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship during Saturday’s race. Speed experienced engine problems while driving the #77 7Up Volkswagen Polo GRC during the semi finals on Sunday, finishing 6th for the day. He is currently overall third for the series, hoping to gain points in Seattle this weekend to catch up to current leader, Ken Block.
After months and months of teasing, Tanner Foust and Volkswagen Andretti Racing finally debuted the #24 Rockstar Volkswagen Beetle GRC in LA. With the 544 horsepower GRC Beetle, Foust qualified for Saturday’s final by winning the Last Chance Qualifier race despite also suffering from engine problems over the weekend. “The Beetle is fast off the line and very efficient in the corners, and the steering is so quick and direct that it's very easy to drive. The work we are putting into the Beetle is going to make it super competitive in 2015.” said Foust. He’s currently tenth overall in the championship standings, and hoping to widen the gap between him and Rhys Millen this weekend in Seattle.
(Tanner Foust and #24 Rockstar VW Beetle GRC. Photo by VWoA)
Volkswagen Rallycross Seattle will take place this weekend, September 26-27. NBC will air Sunday’s race, the 28th at 4:30 pm ET.
(Photo by VWoA)
Also to debut this week was the limited edition Volkswagen Beetle Classic model. This new model adds features to enhance the extensive standard equipment already found on the Beetle. The most unique of the new features is a two-toned brown “Sioux” leatherette and checked cloth seating surfaces. These beautiful new seats truly give the car a “classic” look, definitely paying homage to the original with a modern spin. The Classic trim will also include:
17-inch “Heritage” aluminum-alloy wheels
Rear spoiler
Leather-wrapped shifter knob and handbrake lever
Sirius XM® Satellite Radio
RNS® 315 navigation system
Multifunction steering wheel
Comfort front seats with driver’s side lumbar support
Six-Speed automatic transmission
The Beetle Classic model is scheduled to go on sale this week starting at $20,195 for the 1.8T Coupe. The 1.8L turbocharged and direct-injection TSI four-cylinder engine produces 170 horsepower and 177 lb/ft of torque, with an estimated highway fuel economy of 33 mpg. This special edition will only be available in three colors - Pure White, Black Uni, and Reflex Silver. And for those who prefer a drop top, have no fear. With a starting price at $25,995, the Beetle Convertible Classic will go on sale early 2015, just in time for Spring.
(Photo by VWoA)
Let us know if you’ll be watching Team Volkswagen Andretti race in Seattle this weekend, and what you think of the new Special Edition Beetle Classic @stohlmanauto. Until next time!
It's that time of the year again. The kids are back in school and Fall semester has officially begun. Unless you live on campus or attend boarding school, driving is probably inevitable. Whether you're one of the thousands that commuters at George Mason University, a new high school driver, or you venture to Target and Ikea on the weekends from University of Maryland, new wheels could be on your back to school supply list this year. Here are a few selections from our line up that I believe are straight A's.
A Golf For Your After School Activities
(Pure White 2015 Golf TSI SE at Stohlman)
The redesigned 2015 Golf is everything we've been hyping it up to be. Bigger, sleeker, faster, and more efficient. Perfect for any star student. With the new 1.8L TSI as the standard base engine, fuel efficiency has increased almost 15% from last year, with an estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg city/ 36 mpg highway. Not to mention, premium is not required for the new 1.8L T. That's right, Volkswagen actually recommends 87 octane rating for this new turbo charged engine, so don't feel shy about filling her up! And for those long commuters who'd prefer to go the clean diesel route with our 2.0L TDI engine, you can accelerate faster past fuel stations with the 236 lb ft/tq it's equipped with and the estimated fuel economy of 31 mpg city/ 42 mpg highway.
The redesigned Golf has definitely grown as well. It's gotten a little bit longer, a tad wider, giving the Golf a bit more room for you and your passengers to get comfortable. But the cargo room is where it's at. Increasing from 15.2 to 22.8 cu/ft, and up to 52.7 cu/ft with the seats down, you shouldn't have too many issues hauling your cello, hockey equipment, or that volcano science project after class.
The 2015 Golf is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The IIHS is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an independent nonprofit scientific and educational organization. Based in Arlington, VA, the IIHS can only test 50-70 vehicles a year, selections being based on various factors including model year redesigns/refreshing. Manufacturers have the right to request crash tests (at the manufacturer's expense) as well. Since the Golf was redesigned this year, it was selected to be tested for 2014, and passed with flying colors. The 2015 Golf and GTI were both selected as a Top Safety Pick+ for 2014. With its good looks, smart features, and a base price of $17,995 (Price excludes transportation, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges), I'd say the Golf is a safe bet for Class President.
For When Your Children Can't Drive Themselves
(Photo courtesy of VWoA)
If the kids haven't left the nest yet, pick up and drop offs are probably a big part of your weekly schedule. From packing lunches to making costumes for the drama club's production of Grease, you do a lot for your children. Why not do something for yourself, and get a car you'll enjoy for when you pick them up from their Model UN meeting. Enter the Volkswagen Passat. It has timeless lines, curb appeal, and a comfortable interior. Options like a Fender Premium Audio System, a wood inlay, and dual leather/suede combination seats, the Passat can offer those little luxuries you long for. The Passat has several engine options including the 2.0L TDI clean diesel engine, 1.8L TSI gas engine, or the naturally aspirated V6. The Passat also offers one of the biggest rear leg rooms in its class, and an astonishing trunk size of 15.9 sq/ft for all their soccer balls, trumpets, and textbooks. The Passat is also a IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2014, and has won countless accolades since its redesign debut for 2012. If the critics love it, why shouldn't we?
(So much room for activities - Photo courtesy of VWoA)
Honorable Mentions
The Jetta and Tiguan receive an honorable mention since they are both very great options for back to school. Several factors preventing me from selecting them as the #1 & 2 pick include the inevitable 2015 Jetta refresh that's due to hit the market any day now. The Jetta has been a top seller for the Volkswagen brand in the US market since its debut, and we don't imagine that it'll slow down any time soon. A popular choice amongst folks in all age groups, the Jetta is always a reliable choice for a great commuter car, and has been a Top Safety Pick since 2009. The Jetta's 2.5L naturally aspirated engine has already been replaced with the new 1.8L TSI. This improvement makes the Jetta feel zippier while it sips on the gas tank. Once the refresh hits dealerships, I have a strong feeling that the Jetta will rise to become a top pick.
The Tiguan has been a Top Safety Pick since its debut in 2009. This compact crossover SUV brings a little bit of everything to the table. Size, style, luxury, performance, safety, and comfort. The only one on my list with its final assembly point being in Germany, the starting price of the Tiguan is a tad higher than the rest of group, with a MSRP starting price at $23,305 (Price excludes transportation, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges). That being said, the Tiguan is a genuinely fun, yet safe vehicle. The IIHS conducts a roof strength test for instances of rollovers, and the Tiguan was one of the top performers in this test from the beginning. The following video showcases the roof strength test, and solidifies why I drive Volkswagens now, and will for life.
Let us know what what vehicle you think deserves to be on our honor roll this semester by tweeting us @stohlmanauto. Until next time!
The highly anticipated new Volkswagen showroom at Stohlman was finally completed last week, and the VW sales staff were thrilled to officially move back into their home this past weekend. The redesign was in collaboration with Volkswagen Group, where VW had been assisting in remodels to create a more unified design at their dealerships all over the world. The new design has a more modern and sophisticated look to match the company's track at becoming the most innovative high volume auto manufacturer in the world. The new dealer concept was designed by global firm, MetaDesign, who created a flexible blueprint that could meet the specific needs of all dealerships, while maintaining the same concept.
To add a little more personal touch, Stohlman will also be moving in their 1968 Beetle, Max. Max became very popular in the late 2000's, when he was featured in various VW commercials. There are several Max Beetles running around the country, including one at Headquarters in Herndon, and one owned by Stohlman VW.
In addition to moving into their new showroom, this past weekend, the Stohlman staff participated in the #icebucketchallenge. The newest social media craze, the Ice Bucket Challenge was developed to bring awareness to ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a disease that attacks the nervous cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease deteriorates voluntary movement, causing paralysis and even death. There currently is no cure for this horrible disease. The challenge dares individuals to either dump a bucket of ice over their head, or donate $100 to ALS. Once completing the challenge, an individual nominates three other individuals to complete the challenge within 24 hours. From celebrities like Guardians of the Galaxy star, Chris Pratt, to moguls like Bill Gates, the viral challenge has created a huge spike in donations and awareness. Even VW Sales Manager Erik Nyhuis participated in front of the brand new dealership. After being nominated by his wife, Michelle, Erik took it upon himself to nominate two other Stohlman staff, including Certified Consultant Scott Maynard and Stohlman Subaru Sales Manager Ryan Jones.
For more information about ALS and to donate, please visit the following link. #STRIKEOUTALS
Come visit us in Tyson's soon to check out our newly renovated digs, and tweet us what you think of the new design @stohlmanauto. Until next time!
It's been a crazy month for Volkswagen. With two GRC races and two big Volkswagen of America sponsored enthusiast events, July has been jam packed with sweet dubs. Hot weather and cool cars? We couldn't think of a better combination for summer.
(Photo credit D. Pizzutiello, VW Product Specialist)
(Photo courtesy of D. Cary, VWoA)
There was lots of drama for the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team in New York and in Charlotte. The team's leading driver, Scott Speed, placed second in New York, but was disqualified due to "unapproved adjustments". His bad luck continued this past weekend in Charlotte, where he had tire and mechanical issues the entire weekend. He ended up placing in 5th place at Charlotte, and remains in second place overall for the entire series.
Speed's teammate Tanner Foust had better luck this month, winning the Volkswagen Rallycross New York, Foust's first win this season. In Charlotte, Foust too had tire issues, causing him to miss the podium despite an awesome effort.
Volkswagen is currently second in the standings for the Manufacturer Championship, right behind Ford. With four more cities, and five more races left in the season, there's still plenty of time for Foust and Speed to catch up and bring home an overall victory for Volkswagen Andretti. We're all rooting for you guys here at Stohlman, so keep on keeping on!
(VWR intake for mk7 GTIs unveiled at Waterfest 2014)
Waterfest returned to Englishtown, NJ a couple of weeks ago for its 20th year. A favorite among VW lovers, Waterfest is one of the biggest Volkswagen enthusiast events in the world. Considered a shopping show, owners not only come to show off their finely tuned wheels, but to buy parts for their current/next project. Vendors in turn bring their A game with drool worthy parts, and often discounted pricing.
(Waterfest 2014)
Volkswagen again featured generations of the Golf in their display, showing the evolution leading up to the current generation mk7 GTI/Golf (now on sale at Stohlman). Because Waterfest was held at Englishtown's Raceway park, different types of contests were featured, including the 1/4 mile drag race, autocross course, and the tire burn-out contest. Who doesn't love the smell of freshly burnt rubber?
Wolfsgart in Burlington, VT was this past weekend, a Northeast based show that features primarily German and European cars. From classics to modern models, Wolfsgart is car show combined with an all weekend camping experience, featuring Vermont's beautiful scenery as the backdrop. Along with best in show competitions, Wolfsgart organized activities like night cruises, a car rally, and a car limbo. Yes, you read correctly, a car limbo to see who's car rides the lowest.
(Wolfsgart 2014)
The next big VW gathering is Dub Deliverance on August 16th at Summit Point, WV. Summit Point will be opening up its track to VW and Audi owners, in coordination with TrackDaze, NGP, and APR. If you'd like to participate, register with TrackDaze by August 8th or visit NGP's site for more info.
Let us know if you'll be attending Dub Deliverance, or any of the remaining GRC races this season @StohlmanAuto. Until next time!
Hip hip hoorah! We’re almost there! General Motors announced last Wednesday their car and truck sales world wide from January through June was 4.2 million cars. Which means, Volkswagen advanced to the second place position in global auto sales with 4.97 million YTD. Toyota has not released their numbers yet, but it is expected that they will remain in first place, with an expectation of 10.1 million vehicles by the end of the year.
So why is this a big deal? Not only is this an awesome accomplishment for VW, but it’s just another step towards the ultimate goal of world domination.. I mean the biggest auto manufacturer in the world by 2018.
In addition to this exciting update, Volkswagen also revealed more fantastic news. For those of you familiar with the CrossBlue concept we unveiled at the 2013 North American Auto Show in Detroit, an SUV based on this design is finally planned for production to take place at VW’s Chattanooga plant. CEO of VW Dr. Martin Winterkorn stated, “This model will play a key role for Volkswagen’s presence in North America.”
The CrossBlue concept showed as a 3 row SUV. It was also initially equipped with a plug-in diesel-electric hybrid powertrain that was under development. This new concept is estimated to average 89 mpg, which would seriously change the automotive game. Similar versions of the conceptual powertrain were unveiled at various auto shows, including a dual electric motor direct injection gas V6 hybrid, which initially showcased on the CrossBlue Coupe concept, estimated to achieve 79 mpg, with a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds. Pretty fast for not only a hybrid, but an SUV.
Chattanooga currently builds the Passat, which has been a success in the U.S. market. The Chattanooga plant currently employs approximately 1,500 employees for production for the Passat. There was much debate on whether another vehicle would go into production in Chattanooga due to the union saga, creating a standstill for the future of Chattanooga and Volkswagen. Tennessee is a Right to Work state, which allows employees to choose whether or not to join/support unions. Chattanooga was the only factory in the Volkswagen Group worldwide to not have any representation, causing the factory to have no representation in Germany.
The workers voted no - 53% to 47% - on the existing United Auto Workers union based out of Detroit in entering Chattanooga back in February, but VW continued to encourage the workers to consider assembling some type of workers council, so that the group could move forward in expanding production in Tennessee. After many months of debate following the vote, the UAW created a local union to represent workers for Chattanooga, with Volkswagen Group’s approval. Volkswagen issued a statement that said, “Just like anywhere else in the world, the establishment of a local organization is a matter for the trade union concerned. There is no contract or other formal agreement with UAW on this matter.” The local chapter will be recognized when they can get a majority of the workers to join, but Volkswagen has already began its expansion process at the plant.
Approximately $900 million will be invested in the production of the new SUV, with around $600 million being invested in Tennessee. More money also means more jobs. Approximately 2,000 jobs will be created, in addition to an independent National Research & Planning Center of the Volkswagen Group of America. The R&D facility will identify consumers’ feedback for the U.S. market and expedit the integration for Volkswagen models. This will create opportunities for approximately 200 qualified engineers in Chattanooga. With the goal of delivering 800,000 Volkswagen Group vehicles in the US by 2018, production for the new SUV will begin in late 2016. A total of $7 billion is planned to be invested in North America to achieve this goal as well, to allow the brand to reach their Mach 18 sales goal. Not to make any promises, but I would estimate a mid-late arrival at dealerships in 2017 for the highly anticipated new SUV.
Will you be in the market for 3 rows in the future? Do you think Volkswagen will reach its Mach 18 goal? Share your thoughts with us on twitter @StohlmanAuto. Until next time! Esther Cho VW Product Specialist @esther_ch5
Before the holiday, we discussed Volkswagen's connection to the world's sport, soccer. Although the United States was knocked out of the FIFA World Cup tournament in the round 16, their defeat wasn't an easy feat for the Belgium National Team. Tim Howard showed us an amazing performance, even getting himself briefly named as Secretary of Defense of the United States on Wikipedia. I would have loved to see the Howard edit up until the end of the tournament, no offense of course to the actual Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, but unfortunately Wikipedia didn't deem it as an acceptable statement. The big story however comes from the motherland of Volkswagen Group. Germany had a stunning game against Brazil yesterday, practically massacring the host nation with a 7-1 win. The German National Team broke all sorts of records, including scoring 5 goals in the first 29 minutes. Jaw-dropping. Germany will be playing in the World Cup final game on Sunday versus either the Netherlands or Argentina, who will be facing off this afternoon at 4pm EST. I'd say it's safe to assume that most of us at Stohlman VW will be rooting for "zee Germans". Plus there's internet rumors swirling that everyone affiliated with Volkswagen Group will get a raise if Germany wins the World Cup. Fingers crossed, folks.
In related news, Volkswagen sponsored the Philadelphia Regional Junior Masters tournament in Lehigh Valley a few weeks ago. The kids showed an amazing amount of talent and teamwork in the beating hot sun, which wasn't unnoticed by special guest, MLS legend, John Harkes. A resident of Northern Virginia, Harkes was a former player for the New England Revolution, Columbus Crew, and our very own home team, winning two MLS Cups with DC United. He was also a member of the #USMNT (U.S. Men's National Team), appearing in the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups. Harkes recently was given a TDI Touareg by VWoA, and with it he drove up to the Philadelphia area to meet fans and the young players at the tournament, providing great insight to the kids about fine tuning their game.
(John and I with his 2014 Touareg TDI)
Harkes took some time with me at the tournament to discuss his thoughts on his new whip. As a current Audi A6 owner, he felt that the Touareg was "comparable in quality and feel" to our cousin company's fit and finish. But that's not what really impressed John. "It's just like the commercials, I can just keep driving past gas stations without having to refuel.. The mileage is remarkable." Harkes also discussed how he remembered driving diesels when he played in England. He praised our diesels for how far along they've have come, from how quiet the Touareg's engine is, to the great performance thanks to the 406 lb-ft of torque. Harkes had been driving the Touareg TDI for about a month when we spoke, and he was in love and sold on the brand. We even discussed the possibility of him getting a Jetta for his son in the future.
Mr. Harkes also took the time to throw a shout out to Stohlman VW, showing his appreciation for the great men and women that set Stohlman apart from the rest. We're fans of you too, John. Thanks for truly being an amazing individual on and off the field.
Tweet us with your predictions for the final game this weekend @stohlmanauto. Until next time!
The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicked off a little over a week ago and the excitement around Stohlman VW cannot be contained. Soccer, known as football outside of the U.S., has a fan base of close to 3.5 billion people around the world. Other sports with a large fan base include basketball with around 2-3 billion, baseball with over 500 million, and American football with 390-410 million. It's safe to say that soccer is the most popular sport in the world, which makes sense on why the World Cup final game is the most watched sporting event, period.
If you've been watching the tournament, you've probably seen commercials for the new GTI featuring famous sportscaster Andres Cantor. Andres Cantor is famous for his signature "Gooooooooool!" after a score in soccer. And if you follow Volkswagen of America on Twitter, you'll see that they've been tweeting after every goal scored in the tournament.
Why is VW taking part in the World Cup excitement? Well why wouldn't they? Volkswagen is the third largest manufacturer in the world, and with the global headquarters in Germany, there's a very good chance most VW drivers and employees are soccer fans. Not to mention, Volkswagen Group has factories in 12 of the 32 countries that had teams qualify for the World Cup, including the United States.
(Volkswagen's Plant in Chattanooga, TN)
(Photo from DC United)
Volkswagen also is actively involved in soccer programs outside of the World Cup. In the United States alone, Volkswagen is a major sponsor for Major League Soccer, and was formally a title sponsor for DC United, with the emblem on the DC United jerseys. With Major League Soccer, Volkswagen also sponsors several tournaments, to encourage physical activity and the game of soccer to drivers in the U.S. and all over the world.
¡Futbolito! is a English/Spanish 4x4 tournament put together by MLS and sponsored by VW and Wells Fargo. This large tournament has an Adult Premier, Adult Recreational, and Youth division in 8 cities throughout the United States, with cash prizes. ¡Futbolito!'s local tournament will be through DC United, and played July 19th, at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, MD. Visit their website if you'd like more information and to register.
The Volkswagen Junior Masters is an international youth tournament that is played in over 22 countries. Junior Masters is the world's largest youth tournament for teams consisting of boys ages 10-12. Over 300 teams participate to qualify for the grand final, playing by FIFA tournament rules. The national champion of each country is invited to participate in the international Volkswagen Junior World Masters which occurs every two years, the next one taking place in 2016. The U.S. tournament has 10 regional tournaments for teams to qualify, then the qualifying teams compete at the National tournament, which is typically held at the same place and week of the MLS All Star Game. This year will be played on August 4-6th, in Portland, Oregon. For more information, visit Volkswagen Junior Masters website.
It's clear that Volkswagen loves soccer, and the Stohlman folks definitely share the passion. Don't be surprised if you see the game playing in the show room this week, or if the staff is constantly checking their phones for a score update. The big drama will be on Thursday when the United States play Germany on the 26th at 12pm EST. Do we root for Germany, the origin of our favorite vehicles, or do we root for Team USA, our beloved home? I'll personally be rooting for Team USA, but I'd be happy with a tie as well. Team USA needs at least a tie to secure advancement, or they will face the possibility of elimination.
Who will you be rooting for on Thursday? Tweet us your choice @stohlmanauto. Until next time, Go #USMNT!
