2005 Volkswagen Beetle Gls Convertible 2-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: AutoNation CEO calls anti-Tesla laws unnecessary, Common Pence donates subway money

Volkswagen has presented a list of near-term technologies to improve fuel economy and decrease emissions. The list includes an addition to a coasting function in its stop-start system, a 10-speed DSG transmission and a more power-dense four-cylinder TDI engine. Volkswagen aims to be the world's most sustainable automaker by 2018 through electric mobility, improved design and increased environmental performance from internal combustion vehicles. Volkswagen also announced other technologies for increased interactivity and connectivity in its vehicles. Read more at Green Car Congress. Commence Pence is a system that allows subway riders in London to donate their unused transit money to charity. People visiting the city often load up enough on their subway card (called Oyster Card) to get them through their trip and end up with unused funds leftover. Zander Whitehurst, a British designer, has created a device that can use the card's RFID to accept leftover funds, which then get diverted to charity rather than reverting back to the agency in charge of running the subway fare system. See the video below or read more at Wired. Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation has called Michigan's efforts to ban Tesla's direct sales in the state "unnecessary protectionism." The statement comes as a bit of a surprise, as it dissents from the majority of auto dealers who support a franchise model, as well as laws that forbid automakers selling directly to the consumer. "If Elon Musk wants to make a mistake and go with an inefficient distribution system, that's his right as an American," says Jackson, showing he feels he has little to fear from the electric automaker. Jackson has more to say on the matter, which you can read over at Green Car Reports. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery Tesla Stores Around The World View 22 Photos News Source: Green Car Congress, Wired, Green Car ReportsImage Credit: Rick Bowmer / AP Government/Legal Green Tesla Volkswagen Fuel Efficiency Transportation Alternatives Electric recharge wrapup

2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition brings exclusivity to the granddaddy of hot hatches

The Volkswagen booth at this year's Chicago Auto Show was filled with various special edition models of the Beetle and GTI. In addition to the GTI Wolfsburg Edition, the Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition helps to wrap up the 2013 model year as VW readies the all-new MkVII Golf next year.
Only 3,000 of the GTI Driver's Edition models will be produced in four-door body style only, and the available color palette will be limited to just Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray and Deep Black. The package will come standard with the GTI's Sunroof and Navigation package, and it will add unique features such as the 18-inch "Laguna" wheels, a golf-ball shift knob, partial leather seats and red-stitching on the carpeted floor mats. Buyers of this package will also get a certificate of authenticity and some GTI swag such as a hat, keychain and parking sign.
Starting price for the 2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition is $29,695 with the six-speed manual and $30,795 if you choose the DSG - both prices exclude destination charges.

Anti-union group files lawsuit against VW and UAW

The fight for unionization at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, TN, factory isn't letting up. Yesterday, the National Labor Relations Board decided to allow anti-United Auto Workers employees at the plant the right to defend voting down the measure. Now, a group called the National Right to Work Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of five workers against VW and the UAW for allegedly working together to organize.
The group says in a release that it wants "to block further collusion between the company and the United Auto Workers." It alleges that VW forced workers to attend "mandatory pro-union meetings" and prevented managers from opposing. In a rebuttal on its website, the UAW called the claims "baseless" and said its actions were entirely legal.
One possible problem faces the carmaker in regards to the lawsuit. According to the Detroit Free Press, a recent US Court of Appeals ruling found that neutrality agreements like the one the business had with the UAW could be illegal if the company provided "things of value" to the union. The newspaper also claims that VW held a mandatory employee meeting concerning the election, but workers were free to leave during the UAW's presentation.