Volkswagen delivers two Passats to Herndon, VA police department

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Volkswagen, Police/Emergency

Volkswagen Passats for the Herndon Police Department - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's been a long tradition of automakers giving cars to the police departments in whatever municipalities they have facilities in and Volkswagen is no different. Now that Volkswagen of America has moved its headquarters from Michigan to Virginia, the Herndon police department has received a pair of new Passats - a modified sedan and wagon for use by the local constabulary.

The standard 2.0-liter TSI (turbocharged and direct injected) inline-four has been beefed up for its new role, raising output from 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet to 250 hp and 299 lb-ft. The four-cylinder police vehicles get the larger brakes from the 3.6-liter V6 versions, as well as 18-inch wheels with Pirelli performance tires. FMS Automotive built special enclosures for the communications equipment to make it look like a standard Passat. Volkswagen has not given any indication whether it plans to get into the regular police vehicle market when the new U.S.-built Passat arrives next year, but we're guessing that it's going to take a pass on trying to corner the cop-car market.

Gallery: Herndon VA Police VW Passats

[Source: Volkswagen]

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Volkswagen considers U.S. production, new strategy

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

Volkswagen of America is in the process of reinventing itself here in the U.S. in an effort to regain market share, while simultaneously trying to stem the losses caused by fluctuating exchange rates. As reported before, the first major step the automaker is taking here in the States is to relocate its corporate headquarters from Detroit to Herndon, Va. The move, according to VW, places the automaker in a good location to understand consumer's taste, while providing the company a fresh start. The move is scheduled to begin sometime in April, with completion by the end of 2008, and will result in the loss of some 400 jobs in Michigan.

Also under consideration is the possibility of making more vehicles here in the U.S., specifically tailored for the market. Production of models that take aim at the Corolla's and Accord's of the world is part of the strategy, along with new small-sized 'utes that will benefit from environmentally-focused powertrains (ahem, diesels?).

You can read Volkswagen's full press release after the jump and check out Michelle Krebs' article over at AutoObserver by clicking the "Read" link below.

[Sources: Volkswagen, Automotive News - Sub. Req., AutoObserver]

Continue reading Volkswagen considers U.S. production, new strategy

Volkswagen considers U.S. production, new strategy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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