Volkswagen Middle East celebrates its most successful year on Yas Marina Circuit !

It seems that it pays off that Volkswagen Middle East has one of the best management and PR & Marketing departments among the automotive companies in the Middle East, one reason why Volkswagen today is able to celebrate its most successful year in the Middle East with a star studded event at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi.

The spectacular occasion, which included the unveiling of all of Volkswagen’s models, the first time they have all been together in one location in the Middle East, was an impressive way to celebrate what has been an extremely successful year for the leading German car manufacturer.

Increased annual sales, the completion of its full portfolio to the region, which was concluded with the launch of the Passat and the new Polo Sedan, are just some of the highlights that have made 2012 such an exciting year.

Commenting on the successful year and the event Mr. Thomas Milz, Managing Director Volkswagen Middle East said: “As a new member of the Volkswagen Middle East team, I am delighted to see the success that has been achieved over the course of 2012.

Also, with the support of our dealer partners, we can now offer our Middle Eastern customers the complete range of Volkswagen models. This demonstrates our long-term commitment to the Middle East.�
Sales results for 2012 have been extremely encouraging with 22 per cent from increase from January to October 2012, compared to the same period in 2011 - this result makes Volkswagen the fastest growing volume manufacturer in the region. The month of September was also the strongest month for sales in Volkswagen Middle East’s history.

The celebrations at Yas Marina didn’t just extend to Volkswagen’s impressive fleet, as Thomas Milz used the occasion to announce an exclusive partnership with Rotana Music, which was formally introduced by a performance from Arabic pop sensation, Wael Kfoury.

The collaboration will see Volkswagen Middle East supporting Rotana Music and its artists at events throughout the region in 2013.

“Volkswagen stands for quality, innovative technology and provision of German engineering for everyone. It is our fundamental belief in these qualities that have made 2012 such an exciting and successful year for Volkswagen Middle East - we now look forward to building on this in 2013 and beyond,� concluded Milz.

Volkswagen Middle East will be participating in the Qatar Motor Show, which has become one of the most if not THE most important motor-show in the region, in January 2013 and announcing further models, including the new Golf which will be available in spring 2013.

The following VW models will be available for test-drives on Yas Marina Circuit today:

VW Polo Sedan: Launched in September 2012 the Polo Sedan is built in Pune, India for the Middle East market. The Polo Sedan has a 1.6 litre 105 HP engine and a six-speed automatic transmission and includes 15 inch alloy wheels, dual airbags for driver and passenger, ABS, spacious interior. The new model measures 4384 mm long, 1466 mm tall and 1699 mm wide.

VW Passat: The most popular Volkswagen model with more than 15 million Passat cars sold worldwide since 1973. It is available in the Middle East in four trim levels, S, SE, SEL and SPORT. The Passat has a 2.5 17 0HP engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Built in the �Think Blue.’ plant in Chattanooga, USA, the model is the largest Passat ever built and has the largest rear legroom in its class. The Passat also includes innovations such as the powerful Fender audio system.

VW Jetta: The Jetta has sold over 9.6 million units worldwide and was launched in the Middle East in May 2011. The Jetta is an ideal choice for everyone who desires a German designed, impressively styled saloon that is comfortable, safe and yet affordable. The Jetta is 4.64 meters in length and more spacious than previous models with leg room now increased by 6.7cm to 96.7cm.

VW Touareg: Launched in September 2010, the Touareg is Volkswagen Middle East’s flagship model. With characteristics that have proven popular with regional customers the Touareg is longer, lighter, sleeker, safer and roomier than its predecessor.

VW Tiguan:
A car suitable for both families and individuals in the Middle East, the Tiguan enjoys a large boot space that can be adjusted from 470 litres to 1,510 litres. It also comes equipped with a number of innovative on-board systems like the DCC adaptive chassis control, Dynamic Light Assist, Fatigue Detection, Park Assist, Park Pilot with visual display, Rear Assist and XDS electronic differential lock.

VW CC: The Volkswagen CC is a technically and visually updated version of the popular business vehicle. It is a model that combines German engineering and style, and is our most successful four-door coup?©. The CC is powered by an impressive petrol engine with 118 kW / 160 HP (1.8 liter), 155 kW / 210 HP (2.0 liter) and 220 kW / 300 HP (3.6 liter V6) power output, with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG).

VW Golf GTI: The Golf GTI is an icon of sportiness with the new edition being a bestseller with 1.7 million units sold. The current model has a powerful 155kW/210 HP turbo engine and yet only consumes 7.4 litres super unleaded.

VW Golf R: The Golf R boasts the most powerful TSI engine yet. At 188 kW/255 HP it is the most powerful version of the model series ever built while at the same time, it is the most fuel-efficient Golf R of all time – 21 percent more fuel efficient than the previous model. The Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds.

VW Scirocco R: The Scirocco R is the most powerful model ever built in this series. It serves as the platform for race cars in the new Scirocco R-Cup. With a 187 kW / 255 HP engine the Scirocco R is a genuine sports car. The model is ideal as a dynamic performer and an economical companion for the roads of everyday life as well as for side trips on the circuit track.

VW Eos:The Eos cabriolet coup?© is the ideal car for city living with its sleek, sporty design as well as its convertible characteristics and dynamic road handling. As one of the world’s most successful convertibles the Eos has been technically perfected, visually updated and enhanced with numerous features which all add to creating a fun driving experience. In the Middle East, the 2011 Eos is available as a 147 kW/200 HP 2.0-litre TSI with a six-speed DSG engine.

Phaeton: The Phaeton is offered with two wheelbases as well as two rear seating versions (three seat bench or two individual seats). Three petrol engines are available in the Middle East. The six, eight and twelve cylinder engines cover a power range extending from 206 kW /280 HP to 331 kW /450 HP. The six-cylinder petrol engine in the Phaeton is a V6 direct-injection engine (FSI with 206 kW /280 HP). At the power levels above the V6 FSI, a V8 and a W12 petrol engine are available (246 kW /335 HP and 331 kW/450 HP).

Stay tuned for some interesting reviews of the above-mentioned VW models, live from the Yas Marina Circuit.

Mohamed Sheta
14.11.2012
Abu Dhabi - Cairo - Wolfsburg