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Volkswagen's Dieselution Technology Tour Going to Clarkson University Tomorrow


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AUBURN HILLS, MI - October 3, 2007: Volkswagen of America and its Dieselution Tour will be visiting Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on October 4-5, 2007, with the intent of educating attendees, new car shoppers and the media on advances in clean diesel technology and alternative fuels.

As an interactive exhibition, the Dieselution Tour will highlight current environmental issues and display advances in diesel engine technology, design and manufacturing. Since late September, the Dieselution Tour has embarked on a four-month tour, making stops at events and locations around the United States, including environmental and alternative fuel festivals, auto shows and the 2008 Super Bowl.

"Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for citizens who are concerned about the environment as well as improved fuel economy standards," said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We want to show Americans that today's clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the power-plants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any negative or outdated perception about diesel technology.

"As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient," Jacoby added. "Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we're confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships."

Visitors to the Dieselution Tour mobile exhibit will find a bevy of exhibits and interactive displays within the 53-foot-long, double-expandable semi-trailer. Elements include an "Alt Fuel/Alt Film" video area; a Dieselab with a series of interactive and video displays; a Diesel Heritage section, illustrating Volkswagen's diesel history and leadership; a Sustainability Station, involving an interactive quiz and a Carbon Footprint Calculator; a Beyond Diesel perspective, featuring SunFuel; and a Motorsports display, outlining Volkswagen's recent history and international success in racing diesel vehicles in events like the Baja 500, Pikes Peak and the Dakar rally.

The Dieselution Tour will also feature the 2009 Jetta TDI, Volkswagen's new, 50-state clean diesel offering. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in spring of 2008. A 3.0-liter V6 TDI Touareg, a 1977 Rabbit Diesel, and the Polo Blue Motion will also be on display at the exhibit.

Partner/sponsor companies involved in this landmark exhibit are International and CarbonFund.org, a non-profit offset provider.

Signifying Volkswagen's environmental concern, the Dieselution Tour will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Volkswagen and Carbonfund.org recently announced a partnership to offset one year of carbon emission from each new Volkswagen sold in the U.S. from September, 2007 through January 2, 2008. In return, Volkswagen is working with Carbonfund.org to reforest land in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) in northern Louisiana, a wetland ecosystem that had been largely converted to farmland.