2004 Volkswagen R32 on 2040-cars

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Ram and Alfa Romeo top J.D. Power study of best automaker websites

Imagining a new car can be terrific fun, especially if the new car is an Alfa Romeo. So say the fantasy engineers at the J.D. Power agency, who’ve found that Alfa and Ram, sister brands under the Stellantis umbrella, offer potential buyers the most attractive consumer websites, which are often their first viable encounter with those vehicles. Power found that those marques lead the mass market and premium categories in its twice annual Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study. In the premium segment, Alfa Romeo led with 755 points, up six points over BMW, 10 points ahead of Infiniti, 14 points past of Jaguar, and 18 points up on Porsche. By contrast, Volvo and Audi trail the pack with 689 points, and are behind Genesis (699 points), Tesla (720), and Cadillac (721), all of which perform worse than the premium segment average of 724 points. The summerÂ’s study showed that in the mass market segment, Ram leads with an impressive 735 points, which puts it six points ahead of GMC, seven points atop its stablemate Jeep, eight points beyond Subaru, and 22 points ahead of the industry average. Volkswagen finished dead last among mass market names, but only one point behind Ford, 684 to 683 out of a possible 1,000. Segment average, as noted, was 713 points. “Website satisfaction can be volatile, and automotive websites are not immune to changing preferences,” said Jon Sundberg, director of digital solutions at J.D. Power. “However, manufacturers have shown to be very agile when it comes to website design and ensuring their sites meet modern standards, more so than many other industries, as exemplified through the study data.” Marketing/Advertising Alfa Romeo Audi BMW Ford Volkswagen

Volkswagen is not cool with a Fiat Chrysler merger

Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller shot down Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne's overtures for a merger in blunt fashion this week. Mueller told Reuters at the Geneva Motor Show, "We are not ready for talks about anything ... we have other problems. I haven't seen Marchionne for months." The unusually candid – and icy – response from one chief executive to another comes after Marchionne similarly pursued General Motors (again) this week. The FCA boss suggested GM might be looking for a new European partner as it prepares to unload its troubled Opel and Vauxhall divisions to PSA. A GM spokesman told USA Today that the company is not interested. Marchionne has been openly suggesting a GM merger since at least 2015, despite GM never reciprocating interest. VW's "other problems," as Mueller notes, include legal proceedings, fines, recalls, and other issues related to its long-running diesel scandal. Marchionne has long sought industry consolidation, arguing that automakers don't get a proper return on their investments in technologies, some of which are relatively similar. He's suggested sharing chassis and powertrain components could be a benefit to the collective auto sector. Skeptics argue FCA, which is smaller than GM, VW, Toyota, and others, needs a partner to survive, while its rivals already have the necessary scale to remain competitive. Related Video:

Latest Volkswagen Transporter shows itself as the modern Microbus

With a model history dating back to 1950, the newly unveiled Volkswagen Transporter has a long legacy to uphold as one of elder statesmen of the commercial vehicle world. The sixth generation maintains the classic boxy look, and VW even admits that the shape is "modernized cautiously." Still, the changes show handsome improvements like creases in the hood and a grille that better integrates into the headlights. Rather than styling, economy is more on the minds of many commercial buyers. VW ticks that box with an average 15-percent improvement in fuel consumption across the lineup, thanks in part to standard stop/start. The engine range includes a 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder available in 83-, 101-, 148- and 201-horsepower variants. There's also a 2.0-liter gasoline-fueled four with either 148 hp or 201 hp. VW is really working to make the Transporter a safer, more comfortable carrier for its new generation. The van is available with features like adjustable shocks, adaptive cruise control, a power tailgate and the company's City Assist Braking system, which is capable of automatically bringing the van to a stop from under 19 mph. The Driver Alert System even monitors behavior behind the wheel and advises when to take a break. VW offers the T6 in many variants, including the Multivan for carrying people and mixed use Caravelle, but the highlight at launch is the fantastic looking Generation Six special edition (pictured above). Based on the Multivan Comfortline, the retro, two-tone paint is optional, but standard features include LED headlights, chrome trim and Alcantara seats. While the latest Transporter isn't coming to the US, European buyers can order one soon with a base price of 23,035 euros ($27,000). Generation SIX: world premiere of the new T series Classic Transporter design is even sharper, more precise, higher end Better fuel economy – new engines with stop/start function as standard Better safety – latest driver assistance systems More comfort and convenience – adaptive chassis, electrically adjustable seats and electric tailgate More information – new radio-navigation system with integrated online services Prices start below level of previous model Hannover/Amsterdam, 15 April 2015 – Today, the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand presents the sixth generation of the successful Transporter model series that is produced in Hannover.