VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF RAISES MONEY TO BENEFIT GLOBAL GREEN USA AFTER A SUCCESSFUL CHARITY AUCTION

November 4, 2014 by Volkswagen

• Winning bidder claims first VW electric vehicle as the car begins to ship to select U.S. dealerships

Herndon, VA (November 4, 2014) – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that the auction of the first 2015 all-electric Volkswagen e-Golf has raised $41,400, with proceeds benefitting the national environmental non-profit Global Green USA and its efforts to advance smart solutions to climate change. The winner of the auction, which ran from October 8–29 on CharityBuzz.com, became the first U.S. driver to own Volkswagen's all-new, fully-electric vehicle.

'Volkswagen's commitment to e-mobility and sustainability runs deep. We could not be more proud that the e-Golf has helped raise money to benefit the efforts of Global Green USA, an organization that shares in our dedication to the environment,' said Michael Horn, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. 'As the auction winner takes home VW's first fully electric vehicle, we are eager to invite more consumers to the brand as our fun-to-drive, yet practical EV goes on sale.'

A long-time EV driver and Volkswagen fan, Bruce Oberg placed the winning bid, to claim America's first 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf.

'I am pleased to support Global Green USA's work to build a more sustainable future, and am thrilled that I get to take home one of the first Volkswagen all-electric vehicles,' said Oberg. 'I love driving EVs, I have enjoyed owning Volkswagens all my life, and I cannot wait to experience the e-Golf for myself.'

'Alternative fuel vehicles, especially electric vehicles, have the potential to transform mass transportation in the U.S. – and globally – by drastically reducing pollution and oil dependence,' noted Les McCabe, Ph.D., President and CEO of Global Green USA. 'This collaboration centers on our shared commitment to helping urban communities improve air quality by dramatically reducing carbon emissions.'

Introduced as part of Volkswagen's powertrain strategy to offer highly efficient driving systems and as part of the company's Think Blue.© sustainability initiative, the all-new e-Golf is Volkswagen's first fully-electric vehicle, operating solely on an ultra-efficient 24.2 kWh lithium-ion battery. It produces zero tailpipe emissions, and requires zero trips to the pump.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently rated the 2015 e-Golf , at 126 city, 105 highway, and 116 combined Miles per Gallon of Gasoline Equivalent* (MPGe), making the e-Golf the most efficient car in the compact EV class as determined by the EPA.

The e-Golf electric motor produces 115 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. With a 7.2 kW onboard charger and DC fast charging capabilities standard, the versatile electric vehicle will offer one of the largest interiors in its class. The new model combines the environmental and practical benefits of an electric vehicle with the fun-to-drive design of the Golf family, which is underpinned by the MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) architecture.

Volkswagen provides a holistic e-mobility experience to all e-Golf owners and has invested in carbon reduction projects that help offset the emissions created during the production, distribution, and use of the vehicle for the first 36,000 miles of driving. Available charging solutions from Bosch® and Chargepoint®, along with a new Roadside Assistance program and VW Car-Net® mobile app with e-Golf features, are designed to make owning the e-Golf a thoroughly reassuring, rewarding and enjoyable experience. Extra peace of mind comes with an eight year/100,000 mile battery.

The 2015 e-Golf will be available through participating VW dealerships later this month in the initial launch states including California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington D.C. Pricing starts at $35,445 for the fully equipped SEL Premium model.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, and Touareg vehicles through approximately 649 independent U.S. dealers.

About Global Green USA

Global Green USA is dedicated to helping the people, places, and the planet in need through catalytic projects, transformative policy, and cutting-edge research. Global Green USA's signature programs include greening affordable housing, schools, neighborhoods, and cities as well as rebuilding communities — such as New Orleans and areas of New York and New Jersey — that have suffered from the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and environmental degradation. Global Green USA is the U.S. affiliate of Green Cross International, which was founded by President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1993 to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future. For more information, visit globalgreen.org and follow us @globalgreen.

Photo credit: Volkswagen
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