Volkswagen Praises Cash for Clunkers

We have already seen a wide range of manufacturers stepping forth and thanking the US government for the approval of the so called cash for clunkers bill and we will probably see more as time passes. Now comes Volkswagen's turn to acclaim this "historic moment". Although the program is not yet complete, as it awaits NHTSA's rules, manufacturers have already started making calculations.

"Volkswagen of America supports this historic decision of the United States Government to enact the Cash for Clunkers program," Stefan Jacoby, Volkswagen of America CEO said in a release. "The fact that Volkswagen has long been known for producing fun-to-drive, fuel efficient vehicles, combined with our eight Top Safety Pick rated vehicles by the IIHS, should put Volkswagen on any new car buyers shopping list."

The German manufacturer plans to rely on its EPA SmartWay certified vehicles. VW has ten such models: Rabbit, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Beetle, Beetle convertible, Passat, Passat Wagon, Eos, and CC. Being SmartWay certified means they all comply with EPA's new and improved Green Vehicle Guide.

"Every 2009 model year Volkswagen is included in the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program scheduled maintenance, as described in each vehicles maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty--three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first," the company stated in the release.

All that remains to do now is the math. After NHTSA completes "the rules of engagement", the only thing left to do for manufacturers is to let us know how much a VW Passat, for example, costs. The money provided by the US is enough for some 250,000 vehicles and, even if that may seem a lot, fierce competition is to be expected for every single one of them.