Volkswagen and Fender Put the Concert in the Car

Announce Exclusive Partnership to bring Premium Audio System to Select 2012 Volkswagen Models

HERNDON, Va., Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today it has joined forces with Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to bring the raw emotion of a live music performance to the driving experience. The company's partnership with Fender will equip select 2012 models with the all-new Fender Premium Audio System.

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"The best seat in the house is now behind the wheel of a Volkswagen," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "Our two iconic companies — one with a passion for driving, one with a passion for music — are joining forces to bring the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience."

"By partnering with Volkswagen on the Fender Premium Audio System, we are creating a unique partnership with a truly innovative company allowing us to deliver a product that is as unique, expressive and dynamic as the customers who use it," said Mark Van Vleet, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs for Fender.

The new Jetta GLI will be the first Volkswagen model in dealerships this spring featuring the all-new Fender Premium Audio System, developed exclusively for the Volkswagen brand. It will be available in all other Jettas later, and will be available in the new 2012 midsize sedan and 2012 Beetle in the fall. Now drivers can have Volkswagen's superior German engineering matched with the highest quality sound.

The Fender Premium Audio System in Volkswagen was born of collaboration between two brands known for precision in engineering and passion for innovation. To develop the best possible audio system for Volkswagen, Fender formed a partnership with Panasonic that combined Fender's 64 years of expertise in sound and sound amplification with Panasonic's 68 years of experience with mobile audio systems.

The Fender Premium Audio System in 2012 Volkswagen models is embedded in the vehicle design. Three years of research, development and tuning in a new, state-of-the-art sound lab, resulted in a nine-speaker system that delivers uncompromised clarity, regardless of volume, with a unique sound that Americans will love.  

The system features proprietary Panasonic speaker technology.  The system covers the cabin with directional sound from front door speakers that generate imaging beyond the capabilities of traditional speaker designs.  It cuts through the noise and other distractions with front dual voice coil speakers, with extended range for all musical genres.  

The design features lower inter-modulation distortion and smooth mid-range response to eliminate harshness.  It is harmonically complex, with extended range tweeters and properly voiced 16cm speakers revealing original instrumentation timbre and harmonic richness.

Speaking at the International Motor Press Association meeting in New York, Browning was joined in making the announcement by Van Vleet and Allen Kudla, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Panasonic.  

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, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, 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 http://www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation:

Fender^® is the number one U.S. guitar and amplifier brand and a name that is synonymous with rock 'n' roll. With an illustrious history dating back to 1946, Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide and in nearly every genre: rock 'n' roll, country and western, jazz, rhythm and blues, and many more. Everyone from enthusiasts and beginners to the world's most acclaimed artists and performers have used Fender instruments and amplifiers, in the process making the company not only a revered music industry name, but also a cultural icon. For more information, visit www.fender.com.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America:

Based in Peachtree City, Georgia, and with Detroit area operations located in Southfield, MI, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America is a division company of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. (NYSE: PC) of Osaka, Japan, one of the world's leading developers and producers of innovative digital and other electronic products for consumer, business and industrial use. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America also acts as the North American operating company of Panasonic's Automotive Systems Company, which coordinates global automotive industry systems and components operations. For more information on Panasonic, visit www.panasonic.com.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.