Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VW America creates new role: VP of Customer Experience]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/vw-america-creates-new-role-vp-of-customer-experience/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/vw-america-creates-new-role-vp-of-customer-experience/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/vw-america-creates-new-role-vp-of-customer-experience/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volkswagen took another step to plug any holes in its quality-control loop by appointing a VP of Customer Experience. The new position is being filled by Mark Barnes, who moves over from his role as COO and head of sales for VW of America. The point is to create a "a systemic approach to better manage the entire customer experience within VW," in the words of VWoA head Jonathan Browning.

Don't expect to get Barnes on the phone if your Jetta acts up - his task is figure out how to support customers in every way they might interact with the brand, which can run from dealer training to loyalty programs.

Continue reading VW America creates new role: VP of Customer Experience

VW America creates new role: VP of Customer Experience originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customer servicemark barnesvolkswagenVolkswagen of Americavp of customer experiencevwMon, 08 Aug 2011 09:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20011400/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/08/vw-america-creates-new-role-vp-of-customer-experience/20011400/article-detail.xml 20011400 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/markbarnesheadshotlarge-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/markbarnesheadshotlarge-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen: What's Going On With Chattanooga's Newest Resident? - Part 1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/volkswagen-whats-going-on-with-chattanoogas-newest-resident/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/volkswagen-whats-going-on-with-chattanoogas-newest-resident/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/volkswagen-whats-going-on-with-chattanoogas-newest-resident/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When you're done, check out Volkswagen: What's Going On With Chattanooga's Newest Resident? - Part 2

Volkswagen Drive sign
Volkswagen Chattanooga, TN plant opening - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Holy Roman Empire of car companies, Volkswagen AG, is a resident of the U.S. again after more than two decades away subduing other lands. For at least ten of those years, the question has been especially pointed: "When is VW going to build a plant in the U.S... again?" While other makers above and below the VW meridian were moving to America and benefiting from immersion in the American market, VW watchers and enthusiasts were left wondering why a company that kept talking like it really wanted to be here kept acting like, well, it wasn't really sure how much it wanted to be here.

No more. Chattanooga is the X that marks the spot, and the 2012 Passat is the New Midsize Sedan. Now more than ever VW has what it takes to win the hearts and minds of American customers, and a new generation will get to know what a domestically-built Volkswagen means. Having addressed the issue of "When," however, it turns out there are so many other questions to be answered.

Continue reading Volkswagen: What's Going On With Chattanooga's Newest Resident? - Part 1

Volkswagen: What's Going On With Chattanooga's Newest Resident? - Part 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chattanoogafeaturedpassatvolkswagenvolkswagen of americavwvw chattanoogaWed, 29 Jun 2011 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19979547/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/29/volkswagen-whats-going-on-with-chattanoogas-newest-resident/19979547/article-detail.xml 19979547 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/005-vw-chattanooga-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/005-vw-chattanooga-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen GTI Edition 35 not coming to America after all?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/19/volkswagen-gti-edition-35-not-coming-to-america-after-all/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/19/volkswagen-gti-edition-35-not-coming-to-america-after-all/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/19/volkswagen-gti-edition-35-not-coming-to-america-after-all/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volkswagen Golf GTI 35 Edition
Volkswagen GTI Edition 35 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Reports that the Volkswagen GTI Edition 35 would make the transatlantic voyage to American dealerships appear to have been premature, as follow-up reports indicate that the anniversary-edition Golf won't be offered Stateside.

The Edition 35, as you may recall, sports a special front end, wheels and interior, but most crucially, an extra 25 horses underhood for a total of 235 hp.

Word of its arrival in the United States originally emanated from Car and Driver, which now cites source inside Volkswagen of America that says that the U.S. division isn't interested in the special.

The model was created by VW to celebrate 35 years of the GTI, but hot hatch icon has only been available Stateside for 30.

Aside from which, VWoA apparently doesn't feel it needs the special to boost sales, creating its own editions on its own schedule - not to mention that the dropped air dam was deemed too low for American roads. We can do without the revised front end, but we hope Volkswagen of America will find another way to package those extra horses for American consumption.

Volkswagen GTI Edition 35 not coming to America after all? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ah, to be in college again. The enlightenment. The drinking. The promiscuity. The million-dollar supercars. Wait, what?

That's right. Bugatti is looking for a student intern at their office in Herndon, Virginia, to help coordinate their marketing and press relations activities. Like any internship, most of the job will probably come down to making coffee for and giving back rubs to your superiors. But in this case, the position entails scheduling - and crucially, transporting - the Bugatti press fleet, organizing events and the like.

You'll need to be a college student to apply, and since the listing specifies they'll be testing for drugs, that may narrow down the field considerably. That, and you'll need to be located near Herndon, Virginia, which is fortunately just half an hour out of DC. So if you're studying at Georgetown, GW, American U or any of the other campuses in or near the nation's capital, keep your nose clean and like being around seven-figure exotics, click through the link below to apply.


Gallery: 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport: First Drive

2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Photos copyright (C)2010 Rex Roy / AOL

[Source: Volkswagen of America via Jalopnik]

Bugatti looking for a student intern to drive Veyrons, fetch dry cleaning originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugatticollegeherndoninternshipsuniversityvirginiaVolkswagen of AmericaFri, 10 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19753239/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/10/bugatti-looking-for-a-student-intern-to-drive-veyrons-fetch-dry/19753239/article-detail.xml 19753239 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/06-2011-bugatt-super-sport_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/06-2011-bugatt-super-sport.jpg <![CDATA[Officially Official: VW of America names Browning as new CEO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/13/officially-official-vw-of-america-names-browning-as-new-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/13/officially-official-vw-of-america-names-browning-as-new-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/13/officially-official-vw-of-america-names-browning-as-new-ceo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen of AmericaYesterday, we reported that Volkswagen was planning to name Jonathan Browning as its new CEO of United States operations. At 11:00 AM today, VW did just that - Browning will officially assume the role on October 1st of this year.

Browning has held many executive sales and marketing positions within the automotive industry. He was recently tasked with managing the national sales team for all of the Volkswagen Group brands. Now, Browning will be a driving force behind the automakers push to become a leading brand in the United States.

VW Group recently invested $1 billion dollars in a new Chattanooga assembly plant and is also planning a large marketing campaign to rally sales around the redesigned Volkswagen Jetta. The target sales goal for 2018 is 200,000 Audi models and 800,000 Volkswagen models - high goals, indeed.

Congratulations to Mr. Browning and the Volkswagen Group.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Officially Official: VW of America names Browning as new CEO

Officially Official: VW of America names Browning as new CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browningceochattanoogajonathan browningvolkswagenvolkswagen groupvolkswagen of americavolkswagen of america ceovwvw groupvw group of americaMon, 13 Sep 2010 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19631382/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/13/officially-official-vw-of-america-names-browning-as-new-ceo/19631382/article-detail.xml 19631382 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/jonathan-browning_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/jonathan-browning.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Jonathan Browning to head Volkswagen's U.S. operations]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/report-jonathan-browning-to-head-volkswagens-u-s-operations/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/report-jonathan-browning-to-head-volkswagens-u-s-operations/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/report-jonathan-browning-to-head-volkswagens-u-s-operations/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jonathan BrowningSince the departure of Stefan Jacoby, Volkswagen has been hunting for a new helmsman for its U.S. operations. Word is that VW have found that man. Jonathan Browning, a former managing executive for General Motors and Ford, is set to take over the position Jacoby vacated when taking the CEO spot at Volvo.

Browning initially joined the Volkswagen team in June to head the national sales effort for all 10 brands under the VAG umbrella. He began his career with General Motors back in 1981, working with Vauxhall and then moving on to manage GM Turkey. Browning eventually left the General for the Blue Oval where he was involved with marketing and served as managing director for (then Ford-owned) Jaguar from 1997 through 2001. GM got him back and he climbed its ladder, rising to the position of Head of Global Sales - a post he resigned from in 2009.

While Browning's appointment isn't official yet, Volkswagen will be holding an event tomorrow at 11 AM EST to announce its new U.S. CEO, so expect confirmation before noon on Monday.

[Source: Wall Street Journal - Sub. Req.]

Report: Jonathan Browning to head Volkswagen's U.S. operations originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordgeneral motorsgmjaguarjonathan browningstefan jacobyVAGVauxhallvolkswagenVolkswagen of Americavolkswagen of america ceoSun, 12 Sep 2010 17:10:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19630378/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/12/report-jonathan-browning-to-head-volkswagens-u-s-operations/19630378/article-detail.xml 19630378 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/jonathan-browning_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/jonathan-browning.jpg <![CDATA[Will a lack of U.S. leadership derail VW's ambitious sales plan?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/will-a-lack-of-u-s-leadership-derail-vws-ambitious-sales-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/will-a-lack-of-u-s-leadership-derail-vws-ambitious-sales-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/will-a-lack-of-u-s-leadership-derail-vws-ambitious-sales-plan/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has big plans for the U.S. auto industry. By 2018, The People's Automaker plans to sell a combined one million VWs and Audis per year; or about three times current sales numbers. VW has a plant in Tennessee that will build a planned 150,000 midsized sedans per year and a new, lower cost Jetta is expected to nab more of the coveted C-segment pie. The automaker plans to turn a profit here in the States by 2012 or 2013, a full decade after the last profit in 2002.

Like we said, VW has set the bar very high, but there's a big problem. The German automaker currently doesn't have a leader here in the U.S. Stefan Jacoby, a 25-year vet at VW, stepped down last month, leaving a thoroughly-engineered vacuum at the top of VW's U.S. org chart. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn, who reportedly planned to detail the company's road map to prosperity at a Jetta test drive on Monday, still hasn't named a North American CEO.

We don't make cars, but we're pretty sure if you want to triple sales in eight years it's a great idea to have strong leaders in place. We have little doubt VW will eventually find a suitable replacement for Jacoby, but whomever gets the job is going need broad shoulders for all the weight that's going to be placed on them.

[Source: Business Week]

Will a lack of U.S. leadership derail VW's ambitious sales plan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>stefan jacobyStefanJacobyvolkswagenvolkswagen ceovolkswagen of americavolkswagen of america ceoVolkswagenCeoVolkswagenOfAmericaVolkswagenOfAmericaCeovwvw u.s.vw us salesVwU.s.VwUsSaleswinterkornTue, 20 Jul 2010 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19560092/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/20/will-a-lack-of-u-s-leadership-derail-vws-ambitious-sales-plan/19560092/article-detail.xml 19560092 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00678mediumopt-1276616263_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00678mediumopt-1276616263.jpg <![CDATA[Porsche and VW expected to keep NA operations independent?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/porsche-and-vw-expected-to-keep-north-american-operations-indepe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/porsche-and-vw-expected-to-keep-north-american-operations-indepe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/porsche-and-vw-expected-to-keep-north-american-operations-indepe/#commentsFiled under: ,

The German auto industry is in for a big shakeup with the news that Porsche will be merging with the Volkswagen group. But while Wolfsburg and Stuttgart prepare for mutual integration, on this side of the Atlantic, business is expected to carry on as usual.

According to the latest report from Automotive News, Porsche Cars North America will continue to report back to Porsche HQ in Germany, as opposed to re-routing the chain of command to go through Volkswagen of America. In this way, Porsche's North American distribution and sales and service networks will continue to operate much as they have, and in the same way which the Volkswagen Group already operates its other premium divisions, with Audi of America reporting back to Ingolstadt, Lamborghini back to Sant'Agata and Bentley back to Crewe. The takeaway? Don't expect to see 911s selling down at your local VW dealership any time soon.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd | Image: Torsten Silz/AFP/Getty]

Porsche and VW expected to keep NA operations independent? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As of January 1st Volkswagen of America will be known by a new name: Volkswagen Group of America. In their efforts to take down Toyota as the world's top automaker Volkswagen has chosen to begin embracing its multi-brand size by adding the term group to its corporate moniker. It's a reminder that the company is more than just the letters "VW." The Volkswagen Group of America encompasses the brands of VW, Audi, Bugatti, Bentley and Lamborghini. It also houses the brand's financial service branches (go figure there are no financial branches for Bugatti or Lamborghini). Executives believe the change in title will also better prepare the organization for future brand expansion.

[Source: Just-Auto.com]

Continue reading What's in a name? VW of America officially renamed...

What's in a name? VW of America officially renamed... originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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