We want to Thank everyone who has tuned in for the TDI Challenge: Jetta TDI Clean-Burning Diesel vs. the hybrid. Although we were pulling for the Jetta to win( IT DID!), and competition can get fierce, the fact is both cars have done very well.
This afternoon the Jetta TDI was stopped for fuel by Driver and Auburn VW GM, Matt Welch @ 733 miles on the trip meter in the bay area near Vallejo, just past the Napa Valley. They figured it would be possible to get to the golden gate bridge with only one more gallon of fuel.
The Jetta TDI with a fresh engine( it's a 2009 model w/ only 250 miles on odometer @ start of race) registered 50.5 MPG for the trip.
The hybrid, a couple of years old, lightly broken in,( and by the way generously donated by a friend of Fueled Creative Inc. ) registered 48.2 MPG for the trip. It topped out somewhere around 597 miles.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO LEARN FROM THIS TRIP.....
Both cars get good mileage, The Jetta TDI Clean burning diesel is an environmentally conscious vehicle, THAT IS A BLAST TO DRIVE!!!!!
The Jetta TDI has lots of Horsepower and torque,( 145HP, 247 lb./ft ) and has great German handling characteristics, as well as a 5 star side-impact safety rating!!!!!! The hybrid has roughly 70 HP and 80 lb. ft torque. Not that exciting when merging in traffic or hauling the family.
Hybrid owners need not fret, it's a good form of transportation and gets great MPG..... But you can own a car that is fun to drive, has personality, and also Clean and Green from Germany..... VW makes a high quality car that people can afford, "the people's car."
Thanks again,
Your friends @ Auburn VW
Auburn to San Francisco on One Tank of Fuel?!?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 11th 2008
SEATTLE – Matthew Welch, GM of Auburn Volkswagen, believes in his new Jetta TDI so much – He’s pitting his car against the leading hybrid for fuel economy supremacy.
Volkswagen claims its new Jetta Turbo Diesel can get up to 47 miles per gallon. With the help of Fueled Creative Digital Strategies, Welch is putting the car factory claims to the test. He and a film crew will fill the gas tanks of a Jetta TDI and a Toyota Prius in Auburn, Washington. They’ll attempt to drive them both to San Francisco - without stopping at a single gas station to fill up - all under the watchful eye of the film crew. Which one will make the whole journey? Will either of them even make it?
With gas prices nearing $5.00 per gallon, Volkswagen’s new generation of turbo diesels are poised to take over the market that hybrids currently dominate. “We’ve taken over 20 sold orders for the new TDI Jetta already,” says Welch, “and the first ones won’t even arrive until next month.”
The New Jetta TDI represents new clean burning technology approved in all 50 states. It can even run on biofuel, where the Prius uses outdated battery pack technology.
Welch with the help of Fueled Creative Digital Strategies is producing a series of targeted web videos and TV commercials to promote Auburn Volkswagen and the New Jetta TDI. “Customers are no longer waiting for brand messages to find them.” says John Polnik, creative director of Fueled Creative Digital Strategies “They’re looking for brands right now throughout the digital landscape, and smart brands know that.”
“We want people to find Auburn Volkswagen when they search fuel economy” says Welch. With that in mind, the Auburn VW webisodes will first be released on popular video share sites like Youtube and Daily Break as well as social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook. Then shorter versions will be released on TV. This will allow stakeholders to search for, find, and share the “Auburn VW means fuel economy” message.
Short video blogs will be posted on the Auburn VW Myspace page during the two day road trip down to San Francisco so people can track the progress of Matt and the two competing cars.
The New Jetta TDI and the Prius will both leave Auburn Volkswagen (located at 3109 Auburn Way N Auburn WA, 98002) along with Matt and the film crew at 7 AM sharp on Tuesday July 15th. Interview opportunities will begin at 6 AM.
Contact: John Polnik or Bret Nielsen at Fueled Creative, LLC 206.850.1200 direct
Matthew Welch 253.833.4940
