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Hoping to snag a Jetta TDI with your clunker cash? Sorry, you may be too late!

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Government/Legal, Volkswagen, Diesel

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sportwagen - click above for high-res image gallery

Undoubtedly, one vehicle with the potential to profit handsomely from this week's expected rush by Americans to unload old gas guzzlers for newer, more thrifty vehicles is Volkswagen's Jetta TDI. With owners reporting typical real-world mileage of around 35-40 mpg along with superior dynamics to most hybrids and relatively sedate pricing, the Jetta TDI seems perfectly positioned to grab a lot of attention. Unfortunately for Volkswagen dealers, though, it just ain't happening. You see, there are virtually no Jetta TDIs to be had anywhere, especially if you were hoping to get a Sportwagen.

Bringing the story closer to home, this author has personally been out shopping the last several days in search of a TDI Sportwagen to replace the wife's nine-year old Passat (which unfortunately doesn't quite qualify for clunker status) - all to no avail. After checking with local dealers and calling showrooms all over Michigan and Ohio, there simply are no TDI wagons. Anything still on the lot already has a deposit check tied to it and the few still on trucks are also accounted for. A few sedans apparently remain, but they seem likely to go fast as well.

According to the salesman at Howard Cooper Volkswagen in Ann Arbor, the problem is that the 2009 model run has expired and Germany takes the month of August off. As a result, no diesel engines will be shipped to Mexico in August, so VW's Puebla plant can't assemble more cars to meet demand.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sportwagen

Hoping to snag a Jetta TDI with your clunker cash? Sorry, you may be too late! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Wagon, Volkswagen, Diesel

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Honda and everyone else may not think there is much of a market for mainstream diesel vehicles in the United States, but Volkswagen would beg to differ. Since it launched its new generation diesels last fall in the Jetta and earlier this year in the Touareg, they have been selling like hotcakes with June being its best month yet. Last month was the best sales month to date for the Sportwagen with 1,982 sales and a whopping 81% of those were equipped with the 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder.

Among the 8,431 Jetta sedans sold in June, 40% were diesel powered. And while the Touareg followed most other SUVs with a 41% overall decline to only 330 units in June, 29% of those had the 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine. Rabbit sales were down 69% in June, but a redesigned Golf is arriving in September, including a TDI - and if fuel prices keep climbing through the summer, it could see a huge sales spike as well.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June

Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW and its dealers butting heads over Jetta TDI?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Wagon, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

We recently received a note from an anonymous source indicating that there's a mildly strained relationship between VW and some of its dealers. The source of the consternation seems to be the highly anticipated Jetta TDI, which was just recently released in the U.S. market. Apparently, Volkswagen of America has gotten complaints that some dealers are adding a significant markup on the new and desirable model -- a big problem for many automakers when a new model makes its initial introduction. The dealers are eager to make some money on the new cars while VW is concerned that customers may just look elsewhere because they feel they're being treated unfairly. What's more, some VW dealers may not be all that excited by the new model as there aren't that many available quite yet.

This is a situation that's frustrating for the dealers, VW and, most importantly, prospective customers. Volkswagen promises that the situation will improve, and we hope it does. If the clean diesel engine is truly capable of returning the kind of fuel mileage that VW says it can, the Jetta TDI sedan and Sportwagen may indeed offer an ideal alternative to gasoline-sipping hybrids, that is, if customers can put up with the buying process.

VW and its dealers butting heads over Jetta TDI? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diesel VW Jetta Sportwagen a real fuel-sipper

Chris Tutor — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Green, Volkswagen

When we told you last month about the return of Volkswagen's Jetta wagon, many of you were unimpressed by the car's bland styling and we don't totally disagree.

Now, however, we find out what VW's hiding under those dowdy clothes. Inside Line is reporting that VW expects 2008 Sportwagens ordered with the 2.0 diesel engine to get EPA numbers of 40 city/60 highway. A VW spokesperson also said the diesel Sportwagen will be available nationwide, the first time since 1999 that a diesel Jetta will be sold in all 50 states.

For us, a fuel-sipping diesel combined with an under-$20k starting price makes up at least a little bit for the uninspiring exterior. Looks like it's gonna be a long wait until the diesels hit the lots in January.

Thanks for the tip, Steve!

[Source: Inside Line]

Gallery: VW Jetta Sportwagen

Diesel VW Jetta Sportwagen a real fuel-sipper originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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