2003 Volkswagen Passat Gls Sedan 4-door 1.8l Immaculate Concierge Dealer on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: VW consumption down 24%, BAIC opens EV R&D in CA

The Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership will provide grant funding to 21 states to help improve consumers' access to renewable fuels. Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture announced the funding, which will help retailers purchase and install the equipment necessary to dispense fuels like E85 and other higher ethanol blends. Groups such as the American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, Prime the Pump, and the Renewable Fuels Association came forward to applaud the announcement. "This assistance in building out retail infrastructure is not only good for the American farmer but it is also great for the American motorist who will now have more opportunities to buy higher octane fuel at a lower cost," says Prime the Pump Chairman Ray Defenbaugh. Read more from Domestic Fuel. Volkswagen has reduced resource consumption of its vehicle production by 24.3 percent since 2011. As part of its "Think Blue. Factory." program, the automaker has implemented a series of environmental efforts (a number VW puts at 3,400 measures) at its factories worldwide. Examples include optimizing shut-down schedules, reducing solvent emissions, energy recovery programs, and recycling paper, plastic, and water. Read more at Green Car Congress. BAIC has opened an electric vehicle research and development center in California's Silicon Valley. The Chinese automaker's first overseas R&D facility, it opened under BAIC's subsidiary, Beijing Electric Vehicle Co. (BJEV), and is affiliated with the Beijing New Engineering Research Institute. The center will be responsible for the research and development of three to four new models per year, as BJEV intends to bring a complete lineup of EVs to market. BJEV also plans to open an R&D center in Europe. Read more at Green Car Congress or from BAIC. Co-CEO of Zap and CEO of Jonway Autos, Wang "Alex" Gang is providing $10 million in funding to the two companies in order to meet electric minivan orders. Zap/Jonway have taken down payments from Dongfeng to supply 11,000 of the EVs by the Chinese New Year (February 8) of 2016. The equity investment from Wang allows Zap/Jonway to ramp up production to meet this deadline, with a target of 1,000 EVs per month by year's end. Read more in the press release below. CEO Funds $10 million To Support ZAP and Jonway Auto in Delivering 11,000 EV minivan Orders SANTA ROSA, Calif., Sept.

Volkswagen Tiguan and Touareg take the R-Line

Volkswagen's Detroit Auto Show presence is big on utility this year, with the CrossBlue three-row concept vehicle occupying the lion's share of the limelight, both literally and figuratively. But that isn't stopping Volkswagen from lavishing attention on its already established crossover and sport utility vehicles with new R-Line derivatives. The Tiguan and its big brother Touareg are getting a host of look-faster items to increase their sporting appeal.
On the outside, the Tiguan R-Line receives handsome 19-inch alloys peering out from beneath fender extensions, premium lighting (bi-Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps), along with matching side skirts and a liftgate spoiler. On the inside, sportier accommodations include aluminum trim and a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters. As with other R-Line models, there are no powertrain modifications to go with the more aggressive visuals (that being the province of R standalone performance models like the R32), though the suspension has been firmed up an unspecified amount. The Tiguan R-Line will be available in front- or all-wheel drive configuration.

Hyundai offers discounts to owners done with dirty VW diesels

For Volkswagen owners that aren't satisfied with getting a payout from the company to make up for dirty emissions, and need to rid themselves of their polluting machines, Hyundai may have a solution. The South Korean automaker is now offering Friends and Family Pricing Plus on new Hyundais for owners of 2.0-liter diesel Volkswagens. A Hyundai spokesperson said it's "an alternative to potentially orphaned diesel owners that will be entering the market for a new vehicle." This discounted pricing plan, as listed by a dealer in Tampa, Florida, starts with the gross dealer invoice price, which includes destination and advertising fees. From there, the buyer gets $1,250 off the purchase price, as well as 3-percent off of the MSRP, excluding destination charges. Also, any current Hyundai incentives can be added to the Friends and Family Pricing discounts. A list of the eligible VW models is below: 2013-2015 Beetle and Beetle convertible 2010-2013 Golf 3-door hatchback 2010-2015 Golf 5-door hatchback 2015 Golf SportWagen 2009-2015 Jetta 2009-2014 Jetta SportWagen 2012-2015 VW Passat 2010-2013, 2015 Audi A3 These incentives certainly make the prospect of a new Hyundai rather attractive, especially for VW owners with that sweet settlement money burning a hole through their wallets. The question is, will owners of these cars find any current Hyundais they like as much as their VWs? Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa, Hyundai via CarsDirectImage Credit: Sebastian Blanco Green Hyundai Volkswagen Emissions vw diesel scandal