Think Blue

It’s always been one of our favorite colors: Volkswagen named a Top Global Green brand

admin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:18:07 +0000

By now, you’re probably familiar with Think Blue, Volkswagen’s holistic approach to environmental sustainability and fuel-efficient technologies. While Think Blue applies to everything that we do, green suits us just fine, too. Apparently, Interbrand, a leading brand consultant, agrees: this week, they named Volkswagen one of the world’s Best Global Green Brands for 2012.

Interbrand ranked Volkswagen fourth overall in their “50 Best Global Green Brands” report. They gave us high marks for our leadership in innovation, sustainability, and our line of fuel-efficient vehicles powered by TDI Clean Diesel technology. They also took note of our efforts to put some green towards green initiatives, like the environmental investments we’ve made in our LEED Platinum Chattanooga facility and our investment of more than $700 million in the expansion of renewable energy plants. Interbrand also cited our goal to increase fuel efficiency for every new vehicle generation by 10 to 15 percent and our push for more hybrid and electric vehicles.

But don’t take Interbrand’s word for it—check out our fuel-efficient vehicles for yourself. Might we suggest the Passat TDI Clean Diesel, which gets an estimated 43 mpg highway? Or, if you can wait until later this year, check out the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid we’ll be introducing in States.

Tell us: how do you Think Blue?

The coolest thing on no wheels: Volkswagen unveils the Hover Car concept vehicle

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:52:20 +0000

We don’t have a crystal ball, but we have seen the future. When we launched the “People’s Car Project” in China last year, we invited the public to contribute ideas for future Volkswagen models. We got lots of great ideas—119,000 in all—but one in particular blew us away. At the Beijing Auto Show, we unveiled the Hover Car concept vehicle, a wheel-less pod that uses electromagnetic levitation to float just above the road. The idea came from a young design student named Wang Jia, whose dream is to help decongest the roadways in her hometown of Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province.

The Hover Car features a joystick for steering, auto-pilot function, voice commands and a safety sensor for collision avoidance. And because the Hover Car operates via magnetic fields, it uses no gas and has zero emissions.

Plans regarding whether we will produce this car are up in the air (get it?), but either way, it’s an important step towards a more sustainable—and fun—future.

Tell us: what would you like to see in vehicles of the future?

The couple that saves together stays together: Couple sets fuel efficiency record in Passat TDI

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:39:17 +0000

John and Helen Taylor love to drive, but hate to refuel. Then again, they are the world’s most fuel-efficient couple, so that should come as no surprise. When the Taylors learned that the world record for most miles covered on a single tank of diesel was 1526.6 miles—set in a Volkswagen Passat 1.6 BlueMotion diesel, by the way—they knew that they had to try to break it. On May 5, they did just that in a stock 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI Clean Diesel equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

Over the course of three days, the couple drove 1626.1 miles from Houston, Texas to Sterling, Virginia, all on a single tank of diesel fuel. According to our calculator, that’s an unbelievable 84.1 miles per gallon, breaking the old record by almost 100 miles. To try to make the drive as realistic as possible, the Taylors drove during the day and carried 120 pounds of luggage. To best enjoy the road, they never drove more than 14 hours a day and took turns behind the wheel.

World records are serious business. The Taylors should know: they’ve collected 89 fuel economy and vehicle-related records in all. To ensure that everything was official, the speedometer and odometer were calibrated by a state-certified testing station in Houston prior to the drive. Houston law enforcement officers oversaw validation of mileage, fuel fill-up, and fuel tank sealing, as well. In Virginia, a Loudoun County sheriff’s deputy verified completion of the drive and mileage prior to removing the fuel tank seal.

The Taylors set their latest record in a Volkswagen Passat TDI, which gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 43 mpg on the highway. TDI Clean Diesel technology is a key component of Think Blue, the philosophy behind Volkswagen’s holistic approach to achieving sustainable mobility through fuel-efficient, high-performing vehicles and advanced technologies. What’s more, the Passat is built in our LEED Platinum facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, another testament to the way we Think Blue.

Tell us: what’s the farthest you’ve gone on a single tank?

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We’ve always loved a good road trip: Volkswagen launches the Think Blue Tour

First leg of the Tour de Think Blue

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:37:37 +0000

During last weekend’s Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA, cycling enthusiasts got a first look at the Think Blue Tour trailer which showcases not only the latest in fuel efficient vehicles, but many Volkswagen efforts toward creating a sustainable future.

The vehicles on display included a 2013 Jetta Hybrid and an e-Golf, both receiving the bulk of the questions from cyclists curious about their capabilities. There were also several vehicles currently in dealerships featuring Volkswagen TDI, TSI and DSG technologies that both improve performance while maximizing fuel efficiency. Models included the Jetta Sportwagen TDI, Tiguan and Beetle Turbo.

In addition to the cars, attendees also interacted with a handful of displays about the world’s first Platinum LEED Certified manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, TN – where the 2012 Passat is produced. These displays illustrated many of the sustainable practices that demonstrate the Think Blue approach like recycling rainwater to save up to 350,000 gallons of water a month, using rechargeable battery-powered tools to reduce the use of compressed air, and a white, highly reflective concrete membrane that was installed on the roof instead of asphalt in order to reduce surface temperatures by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Several VW partners were present at the event as well, including People for Bikes, an environmentally conscious nonprofit group that encourages people across the country to cycle more and live healthier lives. The organization’s beautifully wrapped Jetta Sportwagen TDI paced the field during the Gran Fondo 100-mile ride on Saturday morning.

Also shown at the Think Blue trailer was the Xenith, the most efficient solar car the Stanford Solar Car Project has ever produced in its 22-year history. Stanford junior Wesley Ford, also a cyclist, was onsite to talk to fans about the vehicle. Members of Stanford’s program usually join as undergraduates with little engineering background, learn as they go and end up graduating to go on to work with some of the most cutting-edge firms.

Xenith recently finished fourth in the Production Class of the 2011 World Solar Challenge, an annual international race that spans over 2,000 miles across the Australian Outback from Darwin to Adelaide. Wesley explained that the 375-pound vehicle is street legal with working headlights, turn signals and taillights and features an all-wheel steering system, allowing for better aerodynamics for smooth sailing in cross winds.

Tell us what you do in your daily routine to be friendly to the environment.

Fueling the future: New partnerships to promote renewable fuels

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:47:49 +0000

It’s no secret that we love driving. You’ll note, however, that we didn’t say, “We love stopping to refuel.” We’re always looking for ways to go longer between fill-ups to maximize your driving enjoyment and our TDI® Clean Diesel technology helps you do just that, but we know that even something as groundbreaking as TDI can be improved upon. Since three heads are better than one, Volkswagen has partnered with Amyris and Solazyme, two of the world’s leaders in renewable fuels. We’ll work with them to evaluate emissions reductions and demonstrate how well TDI technology can perform when powered by advanced biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel.

Both companies share the same outlook that drives our Think Blue philosophy, Volkswagen’s holistic approach to environmental sustainability. Amyris converts plant-sourced sugars into renewable hydrocarbons for fuel applications, while Solazyme’s technology harnesses the oil-producing ability of microalgae to develop renewable oil products. Volkswagen will provide each company with two vehicles: a 2012 Jetta TDI and a 2012 Passat TDI. Over the next 12 months, both companies will examine the effects that the fuels they produce have on Volkswagen clean diesel technology and the environment. After a year of research, they’ll be able to provide our engineers with valuable data to help us develop even more efficient, cleaner-burning diesel powertrains for future vehicles.

The end result will be more drive time and less down time. Now that’s the kind of future we can all look forward to.

Tell us: are you interested in cleaner-burning and renewable fuels?

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We’ve always loved a good road trip: Volkswagen launches the Think Blue Tour

We’ve always loved a good road trip: Volkswagen launches the Think Blue Tour

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:00:03 +0000

Something occurred to us recently: if we can achieve sustainable mobility through our Think Blue initiative, we should also be to achieve mobile sustainability. At a recent event at our Electronic Research Laboratory, Volkswagen did just that by kicking off the Think Blue® tour, an interactive mobile display and activity center created to educate the public about ecological sustainability and fuel efficient-technologies.

We’re hitting the road on a 20-stop tour to help spread our Think Blue philosophy, Volkswagen’s holistic approach to environmental sustainability. From March to December 2012, we’ll be crossing America, stopping along the way at environmental summits, outdoor music festivals, cycling competitions and more. At each stop, some really smart people—our product and technology specialists—will be there to guide visitors through the exhibit and go over the Think Blue initiatives we’ve implemented in recent years, as well as future plans. They’ll also share information on our full line of fuel-efficient vehicles, including the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid, E-Golf prototype and Passat TDI® Clean Diesel, our Platinum LEED® Certified manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as our future plans for fuel-efficient vehicles and technologies.

The next three events will take place in California:

• April 10-12, San Francisco, CA – Navigating the American Carbon World Event
• April 13-15, 20-22, Indio, CA – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Annual Festival
• April 19-22, Monterey, CA – Sea Otter Classic Bike Race

Tell us: will you be attending the Think Blue Tour? If so, where?

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Pedal power to the people: Volkswagen joins Tim Johnson on the Ride on Washington

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:52:19 +0000

Sure, Tim Johnson could drive a Volkswagen Passat TDI from Boston to Washington, DC. He’d make the trip in a day without even having to refuel. But Tim, a six-time national cyclo-cross champ, likes to do things a little differently. Because we support integrated transport (even non-Passat means of transport), Volkswagen of America is proud to announce a two-year partnership with Tim. To kick things off, we’ll be supporting him as he rides from Boston to the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC this month. This announcement comes on the heels of our recent partnerships with Bikes Belong, whose “From the Netherlands to America” video on biking culture in different cities is shown above. Volkswagen also supports the Sea Otter Classic, one of the largest cycling events.

We couldn’t have found a better person to partner with than Tim Johnson. At 34, he’s one of the only cyclists to represent the United States at the World Championships for road racing, MTB and cyclo-cross. In 2010, Tim attended the National Bike Summit, a gathering of cycling enthusiasts who lobby Congress to support bike-friendly initiatives. He was so impressed with the people he met that he decided to bike from Boston to DC the following year to raise $25,000 for Bikes Belong. This year, he’s riding in a group of 20 cyclists with the goal of raising $100,000 to help foster better cycling conditions in America.

You don’t have to be super cyclist to show your support: casual riders can join Tim and friends for the final five miles of the ride. The spandex-optional last leg of the ride is, in Tim’s own words, “for everybody who believes bikes are a simple and effective solution for a lot of our country’s problems.”

Tell us: Do you believe that bikes are an effective alternative means of transportation?

Two-wheeled fun, four-wheeled support: Volkswagen to sponsor Sea Otter Classic

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:17:14 +0000

At Volkswagen, we’re big supporters of anyone who makes an effort to Think Blue and find environmentally friendly ways to get around the planet we love. As evidenced by our recent partnership with Bikes Belong, we’re also big fans of bikes. That’s why we jumped at the chance to become the title sponsor for the Sea Otter Classic, which has very little to do with cute marine life and everything to do with the culture of cycling.

The event, which takes place April 19-22 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area near Monterey, California, is now known as the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM. It’s also widely regarded as the largest cycling festival in the world and plays host to nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes as well as 50,000 fans.

For more information on the sponsorship as well as the event, read the full press release.

Tell us: do you have a bike rack on your VW?

A bicycle built for two: Volkswagen partners with Bikes Belong

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:56:46 +0000

At Volkswagen, we recognize that two wheels are sometimes as good a choice as four. That’s why today at the Washington Auto Show, we announced a new two-year partnership with Bikes Belong, the nation’s leading advocacy organization for biking.

Not only is biking fun and healthy—it’s also good for the environment. For these reasons and more, the sponsorship is a perfect fit with Think Blue, Volkswagen’s initiative to promote eco-friendly mobility and motivate employees and customers to practice environmental responsibility in their everyday lives.

As part of the agreement, Volkswagen will donate vehicles and funding to support three Bikes Belong initiatives: Peopleforbikes.org, Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSNP) and Bicycling Design Best Practices. The partnership also aligns with our long-term commitment to encourage active lifestyles by endorsing cycling, running and triathlon events. Until the quadrathlon is restructured to include auto racing (we can dream, can’t we?), we’re happy to support organizations like Bikes Belong.

To learn more, visit www.bikesbelong.org/foundation. For more information on Think Blue, visit www.vw.com/thinkblue.

Tell us: how often do you bike?

Think new, think two, Think Blue: Volkswagen announces two new members of the Think Blue family

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:55:21 +0000

Think of them as fraternal twins. At the Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled two new future-forward members of the Think Blue family: the Jetta Hybrid and the E-Bugster concept car. Joining our production TDI models as well as our up! and NILS concept car in the Think Blue line, the Jetta Hybrid and E-Bugster are big on performance and light on carbon footprint. Both new vehicles are great examples of Think Blue, Volkswagen’s initiative to create environmentally friendly solutions, encourage eco-conscious behavior and contribute to a sustainable future.

The Jetta Hybrid offers all the style and driving fun you’ve come to expect from the Jetta, but what makes this model different is—well, lots of things. For one, it’s the world’s first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But don’t worry—we didn’t sacrifice the any of the performance you’ve come to expect from the Jetta. Sure, it drives as a full EV up to 44 mph, but when you’re ready to rev it up, the Jetta Hybrid will take you from 0-60 mph in less than 9.0 seconds. Turns out saving the earth can be a lot of fun.

The E-Bugster concept vehicle is a truly unique creation. The “E” in its name is for “electric,” and “Bugster” is a combination of “Bug” and “speedster,” an apt name for the open-top two-seater with shallow windows and a cut-down windshield. But unlike other speedsters, the E-Bugster boasts a lithium-ion battery that enables it car to drive more than 100 emission-free miles at a time. While it takes design cues from the classic Beetle, it also features futuristic styling, like an arched and stretched front end, LED Daytime Running Lights that form a distinctive graphic on either side of the lower air intake in the front bumper, and EV-specific gauges.

Check out the Jetta Hybrid press release and the E-Bugster press release for more information on both vehicles. Remember: the E-Bugster is still just a concept car (for now), and the Jetta Hybrid won’t launch in North America until late 2012, but you can see both of them this week at the Detroit Auto Show. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for live updates from the show.

Tell us: how do you Think Blue?