A strong & exciting 2016 for Volkswagen Philippines

Volkswagen is one of the first car brands that entered my consciousness when I was a child. The iconic Volkswagen Beetle of the 80’s left a lasting impression on me, even before I became a full-blown car fanatic.

Decades later, the VW Beetle and the whole Volkswagen brand remain just as popular and globally recognized. In 2015, Volkswagen garnered 12 awards during the Auto Focus People’s Choice and Media Choice Awards for the Golf GTI, the Touareg SUV, the Touran MPV, and the Beetle. Volkswagen Philippines’ Child Safety Initiative, an advocacy initiated by the company in 2015, won for “Best Practice in Road Safety” at Top Gear Philippines’ Stig Awards.

When Volkswagen Philippines held its first event for the year, the message was clear: Volkswagen is here to stay and it’s starting strong in 2016.

At the Volkswagen BGC showroom last January 22, VW Philippines president and CEO John Philip Orbeta proudly announced, “Volkswagen Philippines enters 2016 a much stronger corporate entity due to the confluence of several things:  an enduring and trusted brand, a pedigree of professionalism, integrity and customer service and strong support from our parent Ayala Corporation.”

Orbeta’s statements were not empty words. Shortly after Orbeta’s speech, Chief Operating Adviser Klaus Schadewald unveiled Volkswagen’s new releases and product upgrades for 2016. 

Launched that evening were the new “Jetta” (2.0 TDI DSG Comfortline and 1.4 TSI DSG Trendline), the upgraded “Polo” subcompact sedan (in 1.5 TDI MT Trendline and 1.6 MPI Trendline), and the upgraded “Tiguan” compact SUV Business Edition (2.0 TDI AT).

The Jetta is designed to fit the requirements of upwardly mobile professionals and young executives by bringing power and comfort in daily driving.  Its top grade Comfortline variant features a 2.0 Turbo Common Rail Direct Injection 4-cylinder diesel engine. Jetta’s new petrol Trendline variant has a 1.4 TSI engine.

The new Polo sedan’s upgraded features include a more appealing exterior with its 15” Tosa alloy wheels and a new chrome radiator grille.

The Tiguan Business Edition can fit the needs of families and executives alike. Its sleek exterior includes stylish “New York” 18” alloy wheels and Bi-Xenon headlamps. Inside the Tiguan are “Vienna” leather seats with a 12-way electric driver seat and RCD510 with color touchscreen audio head unit, among others.

These three cars offer an initial taste of the exciting selection that Volkswagen Philippines will bring in 2016. 

Mr. Schadewald revealed Volkswagen’s other releases for 2016—the Comfortline and Highline variants of the Golf, the R-Line of the Passat and the Touareg. 

Adding to that line-up is a car that’s bound to bring both excitement and nostalgia. For people like me, who still have fond memories of this car’s image from decades ago, we have something extra exciting to look forward to this 2016—the return of the original rugged version of the Volkswagen Beetle.