Review: 2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.5. Volkswagen’s “premium” image in the minds of car enthusiasts is not entirely accurate. From the Beetle to the Rabbit, VW has a long history of making budget cars for the masses. While the automotive press lauded the high-rent interiors and Audi-sourced parts, the Touraeg and Phaeton were mere detours on the road to brand identity. Shoppers wanted a “people’s” VW again, and the result of this outcry is the 2012 VW Passat SEL. While other VWs may get an expressive fascia, the new Passat is pure conservative VW. From the geometric grille to the character line that’s as flat as Kansas, the Passat never strikes a pose that would offend a conservative mid-size shopper. If you want a VW with more excitement or Euro flair, the CC brings more aggressive bumpers, more chrome and sexier tail lights to the party.
While some in the press have called the Passat boring, I would posit the sedate lines will help the Passat age more gracefully than some of the competition, most notably the new Sonata. Volkswagen Uses the Power of the Force for 2012 Passet Campaign. Volkswagen returns to the Super Bowl with two Spots. <p class="vwd4_m507 vwd4_error"><br /> Please note: This website requires Flash and JavaScript to enjoy the full function range. <br /> Please<br /> ensure that Flash and JavaScript are activated in your browser options. <br /> To download the<br /><a href=" flash plugin version please click here</a>.
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Pictra Fuller-Turner I love VW Jamie McIntire Baby in training David Sánchez Yeskett Two Things are better than one Ed Curry 2004 Jetta TDI 300,000 miles David Perkins My Tiguan dresses up with me Julie Matos Lou Rosario. VW taps ‘Force’ for Passat in commercial sequels. A boyish Darth Vader appears in Volkswagen’s new ads for the Passat. Volkswagen plans to unveil four commercials starting next week for the launch of its Chattanooga-made Passat, including one in which the automaker will try to gain more mileage out of “The Force.” “It got 42 million YouTube views,” said Mark Gillies of VW of America about the earlier Super Bowl commercial featuring a mini Darth Vader who thinks he’s using The Force from the Star Wars films to start the car. The first ad is expected to start running Monday with three more to air in late September and October, he said. The launch campaign for the all-new Passat will involve TV, national print publications, Internet ads and radio commercials, Gillies said.
VW of America’s product and technology manager wouldn’t say how much the carmaker is spending on the latest campaign but he said, “It’s a big spend for us.” Brandy Schaffels, TrueCar.com’s senior editor, said the Passat is an important vehicle for VW. 2012 Passat Commercial Crash - Volkswagen - Deutsch, Los Angeles.
Volkswagen Group The Group. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. In 2013, the Group increased the number of vehicles delivered to customers to 9.731 million (2012: 9.276 million), corresponding to a 12.8 percent share of the world passenger car market. In Western Europe, almost one in four new cars (24.8 percent) is made by the Volkswagen Group. Group sales revenue in 2013 totaled €197 billion (2012: €193 billion), while profit after tax amounted to €9.3 billion (2012: €21.9 billion).
The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN. Each brand has its own character and operates as an independent entity on the market. The product spectrum ranges from motorcycles to low-consumption small cars and luxury vehicles. 2012 Volkswagen Passat Revealed: VW Passat News. Let’s get the name out of the way first. As expected, the car Volkswagen has been referring to as the New Mid-Size Sedan will be badged a Passat.
We already saw a new Euro-market Passat unveiled in Paris a few months ago, but this one is different. It’s been designed for Americans, and will be built here, too. We’re getting our first look at the car at the 2011 Detroit auto show. Meet the Jetta’s Big Brother So why the bifurcation in the product line? This new Passat, along with the recently launched Jetta, is expected to make up a good portion of its planned 800K U.S. sales by 2018. We’d already seen some leaked shots of an uncovered 2012 Passat late last year, and so the official photos provide no surprises; the car looks like a stretched version of its Jetta sibling.
The Power Play The engine lineup is a VW engine nerd’s dream, and is unique among mid-size sedans. At the top of the Passat lineup will be a 3.6-liter narrow-angle V-6 making 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Volkswagen sets out to double U.S. sales. Jeff Horwich: Here in the U.S. the economic recovery still looks kind of touch-and-go. But at least one foreign company is doubling down on the United States. Volkswagen wants to sell 800,000 cars and trucks a year in the U.S. by 2018. That's an ambitious goal: it's more than twice what German automaker sells here today. Jonathan Browning is the president of Volkswagen of America. Glad to have you with us. Jonathan Browning: It's a pleasure. Horwich: First of all, tell me how you plan to make the kinds of cars that Americans are going to want to buy.
Browning: Well, one of the things that we've been doing is very specifically making the vehicles very affordable for U.S. customers. Horwich: VW has kind of a shaky reputation traditionally for... reliability? Browning: You know, the German engineering really drives a lot of integrity into our vehicles.
Horwich: And where are you going to make all these new cars that we're supposedly going to buy? Horwich: Mr. ‘Little Darth Vader’ reveals face behind the Force - Business - Business of the Super Bowl. The Force was with TODAY Monday when the pint-size Darth Vader who has stolen America’s heart came to Studio 1A and tried to wield the same powers that seemingly brought a Volkswagen Passat to life in this year’s breakout Super Bowl ad.
He had an early success in the makeup room, apparently turning on a hair dryer with a thrust of his hands. The diminutive Darth’s efforts to channel metaphysical energies were more hit-and-miss when he tried to work them on a coffeemaker in the greenroom or on monitors in the TODAY control room — but 6-year-old Max Page’s star power couldn’t be stifled, even by the bulky helmet he wore. Video: Use the force, young Vader, in Studio 1A (on this page) Max’s Super Bowl ad shows him in full Vader regalia, struggling vainly to use the Force to start a washer and dryer, rouse the family dog, and bring a baby doll to life. Beneath the helmet On TODAY Monday, Max doffed his helmet to reveal a towheaded tyke with an impish grin. Video: Unmasked! Media, Sports, Marketing Auto Companies: VW Uses ‘The Force’ to Score Super Bowl Winner.
Super Bowl ads win with social-media play. By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY Updated 2/8/2011 3:18:01 PM | Super Bowl ads used to be top secret until they aired in the game, but several top-rated commercials this year were shown first where consumers are spending increasing time: on social media. VolkswagenA mini Darth Vader finds the Force is with him in a Volkswagen Passat ad. Volkswagen A mini Darth Vader finds the Force is with him in a Volkswagen Passat ad.
Long before their ads were broadcast by Fox, advertisers VW, Doritos and Pepsi Max had strategically posted them on Facebook and YouTube — and had been tweeting about them like crazy. Their effective use of social media before the game for the commercials did not keep them from getting top marks in USA TODAY's Ad Meter consumer ratings of Super Bowl spots as they air. Some key evolving social-media strategies: •VW. VW marketing chief Tim Ellis decided early on to go wide on social media before the game. •Doritos/Pepsi Max. •Anheuser-Busch. Anatomy Of A Cannes Contender: Volkswagen The Force. Let’s be honest. The Super Bowl isn’t as super as it’s supposed to be as a showcase of the ad industry’s best work. Too many agencies go for the tried and true formula and end up creating a lot of predictable pap. This year there were a few refreshing exceptions, and one true blockbuster. Deutsch L.A. made a risky move by launching its Super Bowl ad before the game.
Here, Michael Kadin, EVP, Group Creative Director, Deutsch L.A. talks about the five decisions that allowed the agency to harness this Force. 1. The Super Bowl is usually a forum to be outrageous and hyperbolic. 2. On paper, we felt we had a wonderful little human story. 3. With over 100 million people watching the game, and the cost to buy a spot, clients often defer to the "Just do something crazy that will get us noticed" mentality. 4. We set out to write a story of enduring interest and not something that was some topical, vapid happening in the world. 5. Inside Volkswagen's Super Bowl XLVI Ad: Canine Cuteness Meets Star Wars. In the race to create the most memorable Super Bowl ad of 2011, the force was with Volkswagen. The automaker’s "The Force" held the advertising conversation like the Dark Lord’s death grip on game day and beyond.
Now, as this year’s event rapidly approaches, the brand has unleashed its next ad salvo with "The Dog Strikes Back. " Following up a huge success is a major challenge at any level, but when you’ve had a huge success in the year’s biggest ad venue, and when Super Bowl advertising as a whole is undergoing significant shifts, the stakes are even higher. “It’s hard to think of an ad that was more universally loved than the Darth Vader ad,” says Mark Hunter, Chief Creative Officer of VW agency Deutsch L.A., the agency responsible for "The Force," which depicted an adorable mini-Darth trying out his powers on household objects. By the end of 2011, Volkswagen finished 26% up from the year before, posting its best market share in 30 years.
See the next ad. Volkswagen 2011 Super Bowl Ads Focus on Passat, Redesigned Beetle. What's Hot on Edmunds.com brings you the latest car news, road tests, car reviews, photos and videos from our expert team of automotive editors. Our car news section provides you with daily updates on the latest automotive news and industry stories, including vehicle pricing debuts, recalls and auto shows. Browse our car picture and video galleries for high-resolution photos of your favorite vehicles, track tests, video reviews, dyno tests, and more!
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Then use our Best Price Program to get a great deal on new cars or search our huge collection of used car listings. Prices Invoice Avg. U.S. Overall Performance Exterior Interior Safety Reliability Pros & Cons Pros Spacious interior Fuel-efficient diesel engine option Standard Bluetooth and dual-zone climate control Excellent fuel economy with base engine Stylish, high-quality interior Comfortable, refined performance Two years of free maintenance Excellent safety scores Roomy interior Powerful V6 option Good reliability Cons Underpowered base engine Bland exterior design Bland exterior styling Unresponsive steering system Navigation screen is difficult to read Unconvincing fake wood interior trim Subpar interior materials General Specs Transmission Manual Automatic Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive Fuel/Engine Gas I5 2.5L/151 Gas I4 2.5L/152 Gas I4 2.4L/144 4-Link.
2012 Volkswagen Passat. The European market has proven to be a moneymaking investment for the Volkswagen Passat, but in the U.S., the sedan has not seen impressive sales numbers. This could very well be the reason Volkswagen has unveiled the 2012 Passat at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show just after revealing their 2011MY sedan just a few months ago at the Paris Auto Show. Known as the NMS until just recently, the 2012 Passat will go on sale in mid-August, and is rumored to be priced under $20K. US customers will get to choose from three equipment lines - S, SE, and SEL - and three different engine options.
Has announced that, with the new Passat, the diesel engine will be able to deliver an impressive 43 mpg. Hit the jump to read more about the U.S.’s 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Exterior and Interior The new 2012 Volkswagen Passat measures 191.7 inches in length, 110.4 inches for the wheelbase, and 72.2 inches in width. The interior offers increased rear space and high quality materials. The Engine When Can I Buy One? 2011 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SE. 2011 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SE. 2011 Honda Pilot LX vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SE. New 2012 Volkswagen Passat Trim Comparison Showall.
Compare Vehicles: 2012 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2012 Toyota Camry vs. 2012 Honda Accord. Car Comparison. Use this tool to compare car rankings, scores, prices and specs for your top picks. You can compare SUVs, cars or trucks and you can compare new cars and used cars. Then use our Best Price Program to get a great deal on new cars or search our huge collection of used car listings.
Prices Invoice Avg. U.S. Overall Performance Exterior Interior Safety Reliability Pros & Cons Pros Spacious interior Fuel-efficient diesel engine option Standard Bluetooth and dual-zone climate control Optional all-wheel drive Large trunk Crisp handling High-quality interior with well-liked electronics Excellent fuel economy with base engine Stylish, high-quality interior Comfortable, refined performance Two years of free maintenance Cons Underpowered base engine Bland exterior design Base four-cylinder engine is loud when pushed hard Brake pedal is slow to give feedback Bland exterior styling Unresponsive steering system Navigation screen is difficult to read Unconvincing fake wood interior trim General Specs Transmission Manual Automatic. History of the Volkswagen Brand. The History of Volkswagen. Adolf Hitler approves Ferdinand Porsche's design for the "people's car," or volkswagen. A town called Stadt des KdF-Wagens, now Wolfsburg, is established for factory workers in 1938.
Full-scale production is planned for September 1939, but war intervenes. During World War II, the Volkswagen plant is primarily used to produce military vehicles, including the SUV-like Kübelwagen and the amphibious Schwimmwagen. By 1943, more than 12,000 prisoners of war are working at the factory, most of them repairing aircraft and building V1 rockets to bomb Britain. Stadt des KdF-Wagens is bombed, captured by U.S. forces in 1945, and then handed over to the British.
Major Ivan Hirst paints a Volkswagen green and shows it to British officials. They order 20,000. Volkswagen, reorganized as a trust under West German control, introduces the Volkswagen Type 2 van, pickup, and camper, and the Karmann Ghia sports car. The Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle is exhibited and sold in the United States for the first time. A Look Back: Volkswagen: A Summary History of Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs.
Volkswagen Logo History @ DasTank.com. Brand Case Study: De Beers,Volkswagen and Nokia. Volkswagen's "See Film Differently" Campaign. Remembering Never to Forget. Volkswagen Fox/Short but Fun – Complete Case History « This is not ADVERTISING. Volkswagen Proves a QR Campaign Can Work. Volkswagen Grows Up With New 'Why VW' Marketing Campaign. Volkswagen Group Volkswagen launches “60 years of value” anniversary campaign. Volkswagen Launches New GTI Media Campaign With Nothing But An iPhone App. Volkswagen All-New 2012 Beetle Launch.