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HERNDON, Va., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovation, performance, responsibility and fun will all be on display from Volkswagen at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show beginning this week.

"The breadth of Volkswagen's powerplant innovations will be on display this week in Los Angeles," said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We will be demonstrating developments from fuel cells to the latest Clean Diesels in a variety of vehicles, offering practical answers to the mobility questions of today and tomorrow. It is technology with a purpose: Sustainable mobility focused on what the people want."

The technology demonstrations include:

-- No less than three prototypes powered by fuel cells: the Tiguan -- the popular, compact SUV; the Touran -- a minivan available in Europe that is similarly compact, and the Passat Lingyu -- a sedan developed in China as part of a joint effort between Volkswagen Shanghai, Tongji University and Volkswagen Group research. The energy storage medium is a lithium-ion battery.

-- The new Touareg V6 TDI, debuting as a world premiere in Los Angeles with its powerful 221hp/407 lbs.-ft Clean Diesel.

-- The world record setter for lowest fuel consumption, the 2009 Jetta TDI and Jetta SportWagen TDI clean diesel. These models are so fuel efficient (30 mpg city /41 mpg highway / manual transmission) and clean that a 1,300 dollar tax credit is being offered on them.

-- The Baja Touareg TDI, reflecting Clean Diesel Racing and the versatile potential of TDI engines from Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen stand will include its 2009 range of award-winning vehicles. For 2009 the Volkswagen line-up includes the Jetta and Jetta SportWagen -- both available with 50 State compliant clean diesel, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Eos, Rabbit, GLI, GTI, New Beetle, Touareg and Routan. All 2009 Volkswagens, come standard equipped with the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP). Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to provide an electronic stability control system on their entire product line as standard equipment -- ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems.

All 2009 Volkswagens also come with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first), plus new vehicle limited warranties that include the Carefree Maintenance Program. The Carefree Maintenance Program offers customers peace of mind and since there is no-charge, it removes a potential barrier to purchase. Under this program all of a Volkswagen's scheduled maintenance, as described in its maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty-three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recognized the 2009 Volkswagen Eos, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and Rabbit each as a Top Safety Pick.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of American, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Eos, Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Tiguan and Touareg 2 through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.