Volkswagen Receives Seventh 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK Award From Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

HERNDON, Va., June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The stylish CC 2.0L TSI® has earned the coveted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK rating for 2011, the highest possible from the non-profit safety research organization. The annual rating 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 awards TOP SAFETY PICK ratings to vehicles that are fitted with electronic stability control and head protection airbags.

Volkswagen now has no fewer than seven 2011 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKS. The other 2011 Volkswagen models to receive the rating are: Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Tiguan, Touareg, and 4-door Golf and GTI models.

"The performance of the CC is another example of Volkswagen's enduring commitment to engineer vehicles that earn the highest IIHS ratings," said Institute president Adrian Lund. "Volkswagen now has seven models on the list of vehicles that afford buyers state-of-the-art crash protection."

"Volkswagen is passionate about safety," said Tim Mahoney, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "To have IIHS recognize a total of seven Volkswagen models with this significant award is a great statement for the brand. It's a testament to our commitment to make safety such a high priority in vehicle development, using advanced techniques such as laser seam welding and the extensive use of high-strength steel to build exceptionally strong structures."

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, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg, and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2011 Volkswagen models come standard-equipped with Electronic Stability Control. 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 www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.