Volkswagen Routan to Feature WiFi from Autonet Mobile

SAN FRANCISCO--Autonet Mobile and Volkswagen are making the minivan cool. Today, Autonet Mobile announces an agreement to equip the Volkswagen Routan with uconnect web – the in-car internet service already available to Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep owners. Beginning this month, more than 600 Volkswagen dealerships in the United States will offer Routan owners the opportunity to add uconnect web, powered by Autonet Mobile, to their vehicle. This agreement will deliver the first internet service for Volkswagen vehicles, just in time for summer family road trip season.

Now when you buy a Volkswagen Routan, you can take the internet with you on the road. With Autonet Mobile, the Routan becomes a WiFi hotspot, connecting every passenger and delivering reliable and easy-to-use internet access. Passengers can bring all of their own WiFi enabled devices such as laptops, netbooks, Nintendo’s DS, Sony’s PSP, iPod touch and other devices on the road. Now children in the back seat can IM, connect on Facebook, watch YouTube videos or play online games while the front seat passenger checks traffic, makes dinner reservations or listens to FlyCast internet radio.

“Volkswagen is committed to delivering vehicles that epitomize and enhance our digital customers’ lifestyle, and the Routan is a modern family vehicle” said Mark Barnes, COO of Volkswagen. “Internet access is a clear benefit to our customers. We’re excited to work with Autonet Mobile to bring connectivity to our Routan customers.”

The addition of Autonet Mobile brings the hottest accessory to Volkswagen’s newest family vehicle. Now Routan customers will have instant internet access anytime and anywhere. Monthly subscription plans start at a flat rate of $29, half the cost of a cell card, and Autonet Mobile is installed by the dealer. Earlier this month Autonet Mobile was awarded Best Aftermarket Accessory from Telematics Update in conjunction with their annual Telematics Detroit Conference.

“The Routan customer is looking for entertainment options beyond the traditional DVD player,” said Sterling Pratz, CEO of Autonet Mobile. “Consumers want to extend their living room lifestyle to the vehicle and want the ability to use internet-driven applications – gaming, email, IM, internet radio, and other entertainment and information services – while on the road. We’re thrilled to be a part of the revolution that is making the minivan the cool car to drive.”

About Volkswagen of America

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 Eos, Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg 2 and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

About Autonet Mobile

Autonet Mobile is the world’s first internet service provider for cars. Founded by a corporate executive and former race car driver and a leading network architect and designer, the company is dedicated to enhancing the in-car experience by bringing the power of the internet to the 200+ million cars on the road in the U.S. For more information about Autonet Mobile, visit www.autonetmobile.com.