Volkswagen Leads Industry With Six Top Safety Pick Awards From Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

HERNDON, Va., Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Six Volkswagen models have earned the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2011, the highest rating possible from the non-profit safety research organization. The annual award recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute's front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only tests vehicles with electronic stability control and head protection airbags. 2011 Volkswagen models awarded are the all-new Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf, GTI, Tiguan and all-new Touareg.

"Volkswagen has shown an enduring commitment to engineer vehicles with safety performance that goes beyond basic government standards," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "The 2005 Jetta was the first car to ace the Institute's tough side impact crash test, and Volkswagens like the new 2011 Jetta continue to set the standard with the highest safety ratings."

"Volkswagen is committed to safety," said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "To have IIHS recognize a total of six Volkswagen models with this significant achievement is a testament to our commitment to engineering safe vehicles. We are excited to lead the industry with the most Top Safety Pick awards."

Volkswagen's newest models for 2011, the Jetta sedan and Touareg SUV earned TOP SAFETY PICK for 2011. Completely redesigned for 2011, the Jetta has a starting price of $15,995. Volkswagen's flagship, the all new 2011 Touareg, is the only large SUV to earn TOP SAFETY PICK for 2011.

For more information, please visit www.vw.com, or media.vw.com.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, 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, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2010 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at media.vw.com or www.volkswagengroupamerica.com to learn more.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.