2000 Volkswagen Passat Tdi Wagon 5 Speed Glx Model, 49.7 Mpg! on 2040-cars

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Volkswagen lays off 500 Chattanooga workers

The redesigned Volkswagen Passat has been a decent seller since its debut in 2011, but sales have apparently dropped off enough that the automaker is trimming some of the employees from its Chattanooga, TN assembly plant. According to Automotive News, Volkswagen will be cutting shifts and laying off 500 contracted workers in response to slowing sales.
Currently, the plant has three teams running 10-hour shifts Monday through Saturday, but starting May 13, this will be reduced down to two teams running 10-hour shifts Monday through Thursday. This will be done to reduce dealer inventory (the article says that VW dealers, on average, have a 97-day supply of Passats) and production capacity (currently running at an annual pace of 170,000 units, which is more than the 150,000 annual units the plant was planned to produce).
This, of course, isn't saying that the Passat has been a failure since VW added 200 full-time employees to the plant in February 2012 to keep up with increased demand. The AN article says that automakers frequently overstaff plants during the launch of a new product - or in this case, a new product and a new plant - but eventually reduce the workers as things run smoother and more efficiently.

Volkswagen offers Beetle Classic, priced from $20,195*

The current Volkswagen Beetle already tries to be a fairly retro-looking ride by cribbing styling elements from the iconic original. However, for the new, limited-edition Classic model, VW is hopping into the time machine to grab even more vintage cues. The company is even cutting the price, perhaps in hopes of turning around flagging sales this year. You don't need to wait long for any of these upgrades either because the automaker says that the Classic goes on sale this week for $20,195, *excluding the $820 destination charge. That's $100 less than a bone-stock Beetle.
Starting as a standard Beetle with VW's 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, the Classic edition comes with a six-speed automatic and then adds some retro flair. It includes new vintage-look 17-inch wheels with simulated dog dish polished hubcaps over black spokes. It also comes with a rear spoiler, and the automaker is offering the model in Pure White, Black Uni, and Reflex Silver.
The interior mixes in a few more classic touches but includes modern amenities like a standard navigation system, satellite radio and multifunction steering wheel. However, the seats are finished in a two-tone design combining light brown leatherette on the sides and checked cloth centers, plus lumbar support for the driver's side. The shift knob and handbrake also get wrapped in leather.

Volkswagen reveals updated Sharan minivan for Europe

Volkswagen's experiment with rebadging Chrysler minivans as the Routan may not have gone so well for the German automaker in North America, but overseas it offers vans of its own. Even aside from the fullsize Crafter and Transporter vans sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the passenger car division offers its own minivans like the Touran and the Sharan. Now it's revealed an updated version of the latter. The VW Sharan was first introduced back in 1995 and entered its second generation in 2009, built in Portugal alongside the Seat Alhambra and offering seating for seven in its five-door form. The new model looks largely the same as the existing one, but benefits from new taillights and a revised interior. But most of the upgrades are found under the skin. There's an array of turbocharged and direct-injected engines that are now up to 15 percent more efficient than those found in the existing model, with two gasoline engines ranging in output from 148 horsepower to 217, and three diesels producing 113, 148 and 181 hp. Along with the updated powertrain options, the revised Sharan also gets a host of new safety and convenience systems, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist and Blind Spot Monitor. Inside, the infotainment system has been upgraded as well. The updated Sharan arrives hot on the heels of the new Caddy released earlier this month and just in time for the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Wolfsburg, 18 February 2015 Show premiere of the Sharan in Geneva - Even more technical highlights for the popular Volkswagen MPV - New TSI and TDI engines* are up to 15 per cent more fuel efficient Volkswagen is presenting the technically updated Sharan at the Geneva International Motor Show. Numerous new convenience and assistance systems make the family-friendly MPV one of the most advanced models in its segment. A wide range of infotainment systems also guarantees full connectivity to many smartphones and tablets. At the same time, the fuel economy of the petrol and diesel engines* was improved by up to 15 per cent. The updated Sharan will arrive on the German market this summer; advance sales begin in April. Along with the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically initiates braking after a collision if the driver is no longer able to intervene, numerous optional assistance systems are available in the updated Sharan as well.