National Press Release

HERNDON, Va., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today both the Tiguan and CC have earned Consumers' Top Rated Vehicle Awards from Edmunds.com. Edmunds.com is an online automotive research organization that provides complete, accurate and unbiased automotive information used to help consumers make informed automotive purchases and ownership decisions.

"It is a tremendous honor for the Volkswagen Brand to have our CC and Tiguan earn Consumers' Top Rated Vehicle Awards from Edmunds.com," said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Having our vehicles recognized for their fun-to-drive appeal and for their craftsmanship from our owners and the editors of the highly esteemed Edmunds.com further validates the hard work and dedication of our engineers and designers," added Barnes.

Edmunds.com provides their readers with the viewpoints of both their editors and those of real-world car owners. In Edmunds' Consumer Ratings and Reviews, owners are invited to write and submit reviews of their recently purchased vehicles, which include rating their satisfaction with the vehicle in eight important categories. Annually Edmunds.com tallies the results from those ratings and reviews to see which cars and trucks top their consumers' satisfaction list. The 2009 Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated Awards features 19 categories, covering the automotive spectrum from Sedan Under $15,000 to SUV Over $45,000. Edmunds.com's 2009 Consumers' Top Rated vehicles are those that received the highest average rating from visitors as of April 30, 2009.

According to Edmunds.com the 2009 Volkswagen CC took top honors in their Consumers' Top Rated Sedan between $25,000 and $35,000 category because of the CC's "combination of generous standard features, seductive exterior styling and high quality interior." They went on to say that their readers rave about the CC's comfortable two-tone seating, responsive and quiet ride, Dynaudio sound system and the three years of free maintenance that Volkswagen offers on all of its 2009 models.

The 2009 Tiguan brought home the top honors in the SUV Under $25,000 category. Edmunds.com says that there is "much to recommend in all trims of this spunky little SUV." They also noted that the 2009 Tiguan is a Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick, and that it comes with a host of standard features. Edmunds.com also claims "most importantly, according to our readers, the Tiguan is fun. That tag is compliments of frisky handling, a compliant ride and VW's overachieving turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder." They go on to say "Owners called the Tiguan sure-footed in the snow and a real hoot to drive, highlighting the quiet interior and simple controls in the right places." Edmunds.com also noted that Volkswagen is one of this year's few automotive success stories, and part of that success was due to great new products like the CC and Tiguan.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. 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, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg 2 and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.