Volkswagen 'Punch Dub' Super Bowl Ad Features Cameos by Multiple Grammy-Award Winner and U.S. Messenger of Peace Designee Stevie Wonder and Comedian Tracy Morgan

HERNDON, Va., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. today aired its 30-second "Punch Dub" Super Bowl ad, featuring an update on the classic Punch Buggy game, as part of a new campaign to increase model awareness and familiarity by reminding consumers of all the Volkswagens on the road.  The ad, available for viewing on www.vw.com, debuted in the third quarter and showed a variety of people in different driving situations gently slugging others in the arm every time they spotted a Routan, Tiguan, CC or any other Volkswagen model.  "Punch Dub" is based on the classic game that kids used to play back in the original Beetle's heyday.    

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100207/PH50886 )

Using trademark Volkswagen humor, the spot features a cameo from Multiple Grammy-Award winner and U.S. Messenger of Peace designee, Stevie Wonder, as he slugs actor and comedian, Tracy Morgan, in the arm after a red Jetta drives by.  The "Punch Dub" campaign, which also includes an online version of the game (www.facebook.com/vw), debuts a new approach to Das Auto, and is the first step in a larger multi-faceted campaign to increase model awareness and familiarity.

"People think they know Volkswagen but we believe there is a bigger story to tell about our brand, our commitment to the American market and our expansive line of affordable, German-engineered cars that are fun to drive," said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America. "With more than 100 million viewers, the Super Bowl was the perfect forum to debut the first stage of our communications program to reintroduce American consumers to today's Volkswagen."

The "Punch Dub" campaign also includes an online "Punch Dub" game (www.facebook.com/vw) and encourages people to dole out virtual "slugs" to friends and family for a chance to win a weekly prize (6-month leases on specific vehicles listed online) and the Grand Prize: a new Volkswagen CC.  The game will also soon be available on www.vw.com.  Additionally, people can interact with the creator of the original game, Charlie "Sluggy" Patterson, via a special blog and Twitter feed (www.sluggy.posterous.com and www.twitter.com/sluggypatterson), and in a series of videos on You Tube (www.youtube.com/vw).

Following "Punch Dub," the Das Auto campaign will continue to showcase the company's product family by clearly defining what goes into a Volkswagen today.  "Das Auto" will promote the innovative features and benefits of modern-day Volkswagens.  The campaign will also help define how Volkswagen is delivering German Engineering at a great value in the classic, playful yet direct Volkswagen tone.

For more information on Volkswagen, photos, or to view the ad, visit www.vw.com and http://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 Golf, GTI, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, Passat, Passat Wagon, 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 and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.