Thursday, September 27, 2007

Volkswagen kicks off cross-country DIESELUTION tour

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Volkswagen of America kicked off their big cross country DIESELUTION tour at the Auburn Hills MI headquarters this morning as they prepare for launch of their new CleanTDI vehicles, next March. New VWoA CEO Stefan Jacoby unveiled the 53 ft long, expandable DIESELUTION trailer which is filled with interactive exhibits extolling the virtues of diesel and alternative fuels. The primary focus is explaining the efficiency benefits and CO2 reductions that come from the clean diesel technology that debuts on the Jetta sedan and SportWagen.

Displays inside the trailer will highlight emissions technology, the racing successes of Volkswagen's Touareg TDI in off-road competition and the amount of money drivers can save on fuel. There are also exhibits on fuels including current biodiesel fuels and Sunfuel. Sunfuel is a next generation biofuel that VW is working on with a German University that involves biomass-to-gas conversion. The gas can then be converted to diesel fuel. Accompanying the trailer will be a group of diesel VWs including the oldest Rabbit diesel that was recently found, a Polo Bluemotion, Touareg and the new Jetta. The truck leaves today for Boston where it will be on display at the AltWheels festival this weekend. After Boston the tour will continue on with stops at universities, auto shows and other events around the US before arriving at the Super Bowl next February.

Update: The tour schedule so far is now posted after the press release on the other side of the jump. There are some gaps in their around the LA and Detroit Auto Shows where tour may stop as well.

[Source: Volkswagen]26 September 2007
VOLKSWAGEN SENDS DIESELUTION TOUR ACROSS AMERICA TO PROMOTE ADVANCES, BENEFITS OF CLEAN DIESEL TECHNOLOGY

AUBURN HILLS
, Mich. - Volkswagen of America, Inc. is launching the Dieselution Tour, a mobile marketing exhibit, to educate the media and the public on advances in clean diesel technology and alternative fuels.

Using interactive displays and exhibits, the Dieselution Tour will highlight current environmental issues and showcase advances in diesel engine technology, design and performance. Starting today, the exhibit embarks on a four-month tour, making stops at events and locations around the United States, including environmental and alternative fuel festivals, auto shows and the 2008 Super Bowl.

"Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards," said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We want to show Americans that today's clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the powerplants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any outdated perception about diesel technology."

"As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient," Jacoby added. "Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we're confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships."

The Dieselution Tour is centered around a 53-foot-long, double-expandable semi-trailer with exhibits and interactive displays. Elements include an "Alt Fuel/ Alt Film video area; a Dieselab with a series of interactive and video displays; a Diesel Heritage section, illustrating Volkswagen's diesel history and leadership; a Sustainability Station, involving an interactive quiz and a Carbon Footprint Calculator; a Beyond Diesel perspective featuring SunFuel; and a Motorsports display, outlining Volkswagen's recent history and international success in racing diesel vehicles in events like the Baja 500, Pikes Peak, and the Dakar rally.

The Dieselution Tour will also feature the 2009 Jetta TDI, Volkswagen's new, 50-state clean diesel offering. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in spring of 2008. Also on display, a 3.0-liter V6 TDI Touareg, the Polo Blue Motion and the oldest Volkswagen diesel in America, a 1977 Rabbit.

Partner/sponsor companies involved in this landmark exhibit are International Truck and Engine Company and CarbonFund.org. a non-profit carbon offset provider.

Signifying Volkswagen's environmental concern, the Dieselution Tour will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Volkswagen and Carbonfund.org recently announced a partnership to offset one year of carbon emission from each new Volkswagen sold in the U.S. from September, 2007 through January 2, 2008. In return, Volkswagen is working with Carbonfund.org to reforest land in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) in northern Louisiana, a wetland ecosystem that had been largely converted to farmland.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

Dieselution Tour
20 Week Schedule for 2007

Sept 25
VW HQ/Soft Launch with VW VIP's Auburn Hills, MI

Sept 26
VW HQ Press Event - am show only Auburn Hills, MI

Sept 27-29
Altwheels Alt. Transportation Festival Boston, MA

Sept. 30
ECOFEST NY, NY

Oct
2
VW Canadian HQ with VW VIPs Ajax, Canada

Oct 4-
5
Clarkson University Potsdam, NY

Oct 8-
9
Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY

Oct 11-12*
International Truck HQ Event? Warrenville, IL

Oct 16-17
Possible San Francisco Dealer Group Event San Francisco, CA

Oct 18-21
Monterey Sports Car Championship Monterey, CA

Oct 23-24
Possible UCLA or Las Vegas dealer group TBD

Oct 26-Nov
3
SEMA/ AAPEX Aftermarket events Las Vegas, NV

Nov 5-
6
LA Dealer Group Los Angeles, CA

Nov 8-
9
San Diego Dealer Group San Diego, CA

Nov 12-13
Phoenix Dealer Group Phoenix, AZ

Nov 14
VW Dealer Meeting - Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA

Nov 21-26
Motor Trend International Auto Show Las Vegas, NV

Nov 29- Dec
2
Ski Dazzle - Ski & Snowboard Show Laguna Beach, CA

Dec 16 -Jan
2
Extended Stay at Universal -
Christmas/New Years Los Angeles, CA

Jan 18-20
Phoenix Concours d'Elegance Scottsdale, AZ

Jan 22-24
11th Annual MPMC Media Trade Conference Los Angeles, CA

Jan 25-Feb
4
Super Bowl Phoenix, AZ

Feb 6-17
Chicago Auto Show Chicago, IL




 

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