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VW offers free maintenance
 with 2009 brand models                           
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Trying to boost sales and shed its image of poor quality and costly repairs, Volkswagen Group of America will offer free maintenance beginning with the 2009 model year.

VW's plan is called the Carefree Maintenance Program and will give VW brand owners free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. The intervals are every 10,000 miles for 2009 models and every 6,000 miles for the new Routan Chrysler-based minivan that debuts this fall.

VW also is offering a free checkup after 90 days or 6,000 miles.

COO Mark Barnes, says the program will build owner loyalty and put VW on more buyers' consideration lists. He says it also is a way to differentiate VW from the competition " by allowing us to be the only automaker among our key competitors to offer a no-charge maintenance program."

BMW used a similar strategy when its vehicles were perceived as too expensive to maintain. In 1996, BMW launched a free maintenance plan that it touts heavily today after its rivals dropped their programs because of cost.

VW's luxury division Audi stopped offering free maintenance in the United States several years ago.

2009 Jetta TDI sets new mileage record

On September 25, 2008 John and Helen Taylor completed the last leg of a 9,419 mile trip through all 48 contiguous states averaging 58.82 miles per gallon in their 2009 Jetta TDI clean diesel.

This easily shattered the old record of 51.58 miles per gallon.

The Taylors share their experiences at their web site www.fuelacademy.com.
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News and Events

2009 Jetta TDI sets new mileage record
On September 25, 2008 John and Helen Taylor completed the last leg of a 9,419 mile trip through all ...