HERNDON, Va., June 29, 2010—Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced a VW-Certified Collision Repair Facility program for U.S. dealer-affiliated and independent body shops. This program provides VW-certification for collision repair facilities performing repairs in accordance with Volkswagen’s high safety standards and specifications.

“Volkswagen is excited to partner with both dealer-affiliated and independent collision repair facilities to increase repair quality and customer satisfaction with the Volkswagen brand,” said Matthew McCauley, Collision Program Manager for Volkswagen of America. “This program benefits Volkswagen owners by providing the peace of mind that comes from knowing that when a vehicle is involved in a collision, VW-Certified Collision Repair Facilities will maintain the brand’s safety standards and specifications.”

Volkswagen conducted a pilot with a group of fifteen repair facilities to maximize program benefits for body shops before launching the program nationally.

Technicians at Volkswagen Certified Collision Repair Facilities must undergo training in the proper use of the factory-approved repair equipment, tools, and technologies to meet Volkswagen’s exact safety standards and specifications. Repair facilities must also use Volkswagen-approved tools. Volkswagen will visit repair facilities to provide annual program certification and will list VW-Certified Collision Repair Facilities as they become certified on www.vw.com.

Dealer-affiliated and independent collision repair facilities will benefit from the prestige, marketing, and increased customer retention benefits of being a VW-Certified Collision Repair Facility. Volkswagen will provide collision repair facilities access to marketing materials to promote their certified status, in addition to exclusive access to vehicle specific-, structural material-, and collision industry-training on a dedicated program website, http://www.vwparts.com/collision-parts/certified-collision-repair-facility-program/. Volkswagen will also provide customers with free 24-hour towing of vehicles under warranty exclusively to VW-Certified Collision Repair Facilities as part of the Roadside Assistance program, when they simply call (800) 411-6688.

This program benefits Volkswagen dealers by providing them with full service capabilities for customers. Volkswagen will allow dealers to either nominate their own collision repair facility to be certified by Volkswagen or to nominate an independent collision repair facility that meets Volkswagen standards. Additionally, dealers will benefit from additional genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts sales to their sponsored collision repair facility.

Repair facilities interested in participating in this program should contact Volkswagen of America at vwcollisionparts@vw.com. Volkswagen dealerships should nominate collision repair facilities by contacting vwcollisionparts@vw.com.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.  It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.  Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker.  Volkswagen sells the New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.  All 2010 Volkswagen models come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program.  This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/nissan-gt-r-class-action-settlement-papers-pdf

• Lincoln to cover all scheduled maintenance for three years or 45,000 miles for all customers who purchase or lease a new Lincoln between today and Sept. 7
• Free scheduled maintenance Lincoln program includes all oil changes, tire rotations, routine inspections as well as the replacement of wear items including wiper blades and brake linings
• Lincoln continues to gain traction: Lincoln cracked the top 10 among all brands in the new  J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study; U.S. sales are up by 11 percent year-to-date

DEARBORN, Mich., June 18, 2010 – Two weeks after revealing plans to expand the Lincoln brand and enhance the customer experience, the company today announced it would provide free scheduled maintenance for customers who purchase or lease new 2010 or 2011 Lincoln vehicles this summer.

Lincoln’s U.S. customer program, which begins today and runs through Sept. 7, covers oil changes, tire rotations, vehicle inspections, engine belts and hoses for three years or 45,000 miles as well as wear items, including brake pads and wiper blades*, which normally are not covered by a vehicle warranty.

“Our commitment is to further grow the Lincoln brand and offer our luxury customers the premium experience they deserve and expect,” said Ken Czubay, Ford Motor Company’s vice president of U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Our free scheduled maintenance offer marks only the first step in our plans to further upgrade the Lincoln experience.”

The road ahead
Lincoln will expand its brand lineup with seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years as part of an aggressive growth plan focused on standout product design, class-leading technology and new powertrains – all aimed at competing with Cadillac and Lexus in North America.

Lincoln will be led by expanded product development and marketing, sales and service teams to support the brand’s growth plan and ensure it has a strong cadence of distinct products that are well positioned in the market.  Plans for Lincoln include:

• Lincoln’s first-ever C-segment vehicle
• New Lincoln-exclusive powertrains, including an all-new V-6 engine and advanced
  fuel-efficient transmissions
• EcoBoost™ engines available in all Lincolns – from the Navigator full-size SUV to the
  new C-segment Lincoln
• Fuel economy leadership with each new vehicle – leading to Lincoln emerging as the most fuel-efficient luxury lineup on the market
• More useful technology and features than any other competitor – with a special focus on comfort and convenience. New advanced features include: fully retractable glass roofs; adaptive computer-controlled suspensions; electronic, push-button gear-selectors; active noise control; and exclusive MyLincoln Touch™ driver connect technology

Lincoln’s hallmarks will be refined, modern design, the most fuel-efficient premium powertrains and industry-leading technology that create a unique driver experience both in the cabin and on the road.

Strong foundation
The future of Lincoln is building from a strong base that includes the all-new flagship MKS large sedan, the all-new MKT seven-passenger crossover and a significantly refreshed MKZ mid-size sedan – all now in showrooms.

The hybrid version of the MKZ will reach showrooms later this year and has been EPA-certified as the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan on the market, delivering 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Also arriving in dealerships later this year is the significantly refreshed 2011 MKX crossover, the first vehicle to feature MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology.

The aim is to deliver each new Lincoln with segment-leading quality.

On Thursday, J.D. Power and Associates released its 2010 Initial Quality Study that showed Lincoln moved into the top 10 among all automotive brands in the U.S. Lincoln moved to the eighth position, up from the 26th spot a year ago – the largest jump of any brand.

The J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 82,000 new 2010 model-year vehicle owners after they have driven their new vehicles for three months. It measures problems per 100 vehicles and was based on November through February registrations.

Earlier this year, Lincoln placed second behind Porsche in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, ahead of several luxury brands, including Lexus, Mercedes, Acura and Cadillac. This study examines long-term durability of vehicles sold in the U.S.

# # #

* Some restrictions apply under New York law; see dealers for details.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

Kansas joins several other states in suing US Fidelis and Credexx. According to the lawsuits, the companies represented to consumers they were selling extended warranties to cover “just about anything mechanical that can go wrong,” when in fact they offered and sold service contracts covering only certain repairs. The suits also allege the companies falsely represented themselves as offering products on behalf of the manufacturer of the consumer’s vehicle and falsely indicated the consumer’s existing warranty was about to expire.

“Every time a company tricks consumers into purchasing a phony product, it sheds a negative light on the business community,” said AG Six. “The Attorney General’s office is committed to protecting consumers and giving Kansans confidence in knowing they are dealing only with reputable firms. If you’re breaking the law in the name of making the sale, we will come after you.”

The Attorney General’s Office is also alleging US Fidelis and Credexx violated the Kansas No Call act with aggressive telemarketing techniques and robo-calling. In addition, the US Fidelis suit alleges US Fidelis instructed consumers to “push 8 to be removed from our lists” but would instead simply disconnect the call.

“Violations of our No Call act demonstrate how important it is to strengthen this law,” said AG Six. “That is why my office introduced the Robo-Call Privacy Act this year to establish a comprehensive restriction on robo-calls in Kansas, including both commercial and political calls. Unfortunately, the Legislature has failed to act on this much needed bill.”

The Attorney General’s Office is asking for restitution for all Kansas consumers, investigative fees and over $75,000.00 in civil penalties for violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. The cases were filed in Shawnee County District Court. As many as nine states filed lawsuits today, and more states are expected to file in the near future.

Attorney General Steve Six has committed himself to making the Consumer Protection Division in the Kansas Attorney General’s Office one of the best in the nation. This Division investigates scams, mediates and prosecutes violations of the Consumer Protection Act, the Restraint of Trade Act, Kansas Charitable Organization and Solicitations Act, the Funeral and Cemetery Merchandise Agreements Act and the Kansas Cemetery Corporation Act.

Last year, the Consumer Protection Division saved or recovered $8 million on behalf of Kansas consumers.

MAHWAH, N.J., April 22, 2010 – Coinciding with the launch of its new flagship model, the 2011 Jaguar XJ, and thus the completion of its modern lineup renewal, Jaguar North America today announced they will provide their customers class-leading “Jaguar Platinum Coverage” customer care, standard for all 2011 Jaguar models sold in the United States and Canada. Jaguar Platinum Coverage will give Jaguar owners increased vehicle warranty coverage and the best maintenance plan in the business.

The new Jaguar Platinum Coverage features a five year/50,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance for the duration of the warranty period, including no-cost replacement of select wear and tear components, and 24/7 roadside assistance. This no-cost coverage includes oil changes, filters, brake pads, brake discs, brake fluids and wiper blade inserts. The four programs combined offer customers class-leading coverage.

2011 marks the complete revitalization of Jaguar’s lineup, now featuring three modern, beautiful fast cars: XF Sports Sedan, XK Coupe and Convertible, and the XJ Luxury Sedan. In recent years, Jaguar has led numerous industry studies for providing leading ownership experiences with their vehicles and from dealerships.

“Jaguars have always been known as beautiful, fast cars, and now, with our modern lineup supported by Jaguar Platinum Coverage, they will be known as beautiful, fast cars with exceptional customer care and dealership service,” said Jaguar North America Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Richard Beattie. “We are delighted to now provide our customers the class-leading warranty and maintenance package in the luxury segment; we hope to turn our customers’ affair with Jaguar into a long term relationship. We are firm on our mission to continue to provide an extraordinary level of customer satisfaction.”

The 2011 Jaguar lineup:
2011 Jaguar XF, starting at $53,000
2011 Jaguar XK Coupe and Convertible, starting at $83,000
2011 Jaguar XJ, starting at $72,500

For further media information on Jaguar North America, please visit http://us.mediajaguar.com or www.interactivejaguar.com.

Jaguar Platinum Coverage includes all factory recommended scheduled maintenance for five years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Wear and tear items are limited to brake pads, brake discs, brake fluid changes and wiper blade inserts based on factory specified wear limits. All work must be performed by an authorized Jaguar dealer. For complete details on Jaguar Platinum Coverage, including warranty and maintenance coverage and exclusions, please visit your local Jaguar dealer or jaguarUSA.com.