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Auction for first US VW e-Golf raises $41,400 for Global Green charity

Would having Jay Leno on hand have changed the outcome? That's what executives at Volkswagen might be asking after the German automaker auctioned off the company's first electric car in the US for around $6,000 over MSRP. VW auctioned off the first Volkswagen e-Golf in the US to raise money for the environmental non-profit Global Green USA. Bruce Oberg, an EV enthusiast and previous VW owner, proudly cut a $41,400 check for the car, which has a 116 miles per gallon-equivalent rating and is said to be able to go about 80 miles on a single charge. At your local dealer (depending on where you live), the e-Golf starts at $35,445. Sales start later this month in 11 states: California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Washington, DC. The $6,000 premium for first-dib rights for the e-Golf is nice, but it doesn't compare to what BMW worked out this summer. In August, the first i8 plug-in hybrid in the US was auctioned off at California's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for $825,000 (to an unidentified buyer). That's about six times the car's sticker price, but this special edition came with Louis Vuitton luggage and was presented by noted car buff Leno. VW's press release below. VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF RAISES MONEY TO BENEFIT GLOBAL GREEN USA AFTER A SUCCESSFUL CHARITY AUCTION Nov 4, 2014 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.

Chrysler slows minivan production, hasn't built VW Routan this year

Chrysler has slowed production of its Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans this week, Automotive News reports. The Windsor, Ontario plant will cut its three shifts from eight hours each to four hours each in an effort "to align production with market demand," a Chrysler spokesperson told AN. Chrysler also builds the closely related Routan minivan for Volkswagen at its Ontario facility, but has not built a single example thus far in 2013.
Sales of Chrysler's minivans fell 15 percent for the first two months of 2013, and a large part of that has to do with the 26-percent drop of the Grand Caravan alone (the T&C was only down by one percent). According to Automotive News data, as of March 1, Chrysler had an unsold inventory of 24,713 Town and Country models and 18,547 Grand Caravans - a 69- and 43-day supply, respectively.
"No sense running full speed now, then have a lot of vehicles sitting around a few months down the line," Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson told AN. Full production is expected to resume again on March 18.

J.D. Power customer survey of dealers counts Cadillac, Buick as big winners

Cadillac and Buick have taken the trophies in J.D. Power's latest Customer Service Index Study examining satisfaction with dealer service. Surveying more than 90,000 owners and lessees of 2009-2013 model-year cars, the study found that those with pre-paid maintenance packages were ten percent more likely to buy their next car from the same brand.
Dealer satisfaction scores have improved overall, Cadillac nabbed the luxury segment ahead of Audi and Lexus, taking the crown that Lexus held last year. Buick keeps the mass-market dealer satisfaction win in the family, finishing ahead of Volkswagen and last year's winner GMC. The study also found that service department use of tablets increased customer satisfaction, as did "best practices" like "providing helpful advice." Who knew?
You can find details on those and more findings in the press release below.