Volkswagen Announces OnStar Will Provide Telematics Services in Future Car

April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. said it will offer OnStar to its customers who desire telematic services in future models beginning in the year 2003.Volkswagen will name the service "Volkswagen Telematics by OnStar." The service will offer future Volkswagen customers a variety of safety, security and convenience features, which could include automatic notification of air-bag deployment, remote door lock/unlock, stolen vehicle tracking, route guidance and concierge services. In addition, Volkswagen owners will be able to make hands-free cellular phone calls via OnStar Personal Calling and retrieve personalized Internet-based information such as news and traffic reports and e-mail through OnStar Virtual Advisor.

Volkswagen made this announcement today at the official press launch of the German automaker's first-ever 8-cylinder vehicle, the 2002 Passat W8 sedan and wagon. The 270 horsepower Passat W8 becomes the brand's flagship model in the United States, coming standard with such items as all-wheel-drive, Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) and a 5-speed Tiptronic transmission that can be shifted automatically or manually.

With a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $37,900, the Passat W8 is the most affordable German 8-cylinder ever sold in the U.S. Volkswagen said plans are set to offer "Volkswagen Telematics by OnStar" in the Passat W8 sometime during the 2003 calendar year. As it goes forward, Volkswagen said it will announce complete details on when and which models will have the system as standard or optional equipment at a later date; the company, however, did say it plans to eventually make the system available either as an option or standard equipment across its entire model range.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. The fourth-largest producer of passenger cars in the world and Europe's largest, the Volkswagen Group operates some 35 manufacturing facilities in 15 countries across five continents. Brands in the Volkswagen Group include Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, and Bugatti.

Volkswagen of America markets a full line of Volkswagen and Audi vehicles through a network of some 600 Volkswagen and 265 Audi dealers in the United States.

In 2001, Volkswagen sold 355,648 new cars representing its best year in the U.S. in 26 years. Audi set a record in 2001 with sales of 83,283, the best ever for the brand in the U.S. This record was a 3.6% increase over the 2000 sales of 80,372. With these recent results, the U.S. has become Volkswagen's second best market in the world.

Since the first two Volkswagen Beetles were delivered in 1949, Volkswagen of America has sold more than 12 million cars in the U.S. and has consistently been the top-selling European importer to the United States.

Volkswagen imports cars from company plants in Germany, Brazil and Mexico through port operations in San Diego, CA; Boston, MA; Wilmington, DE; Brunswick, GA; Houston, TX; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Ajax, ON (Canada).

Volkswagen operates parts depots in Cranbury, NJ; Ontario, CA; Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Ajax, ON (Canada); and Vancouver, BC. Additionally, Volkswagen has a design center in Simi Valley, CA.

There are eight VW Credit, Inc. centers located in Auburn Hills, MI; Woodcliff Lake, NJ; Westlake Village, CA; Portland, OR; Englewood, CO; Alpharetta, GA; Libertyville, IL; and Ajax, ON (Canada) as well as the newly opened Volkswagen Bank USA headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT.

About OnStar
OnStar Corporation uses GPS satellite technology and wireless communication to link the driver and vehicle to the 24-hour OnStar Center, where advisors provide real-time, personalized help. OnStar services include automatic air bag notification, stolen vehicle tracking, emergency services, remote door unlock, roadside assistance with location, remote diagnostics, route support, convenience services and concierge services, OnStar Personal Calling, which allows drivers to make and receive phone calls in a completely hands-free, voice-activated manner through a powerful phone embedded in the vehicle, and Virtual Advisor. For more information on OnStar, visit the Web site at http://www.onstar.com/

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here

Website: http://www.onstar.com