TOP SAFETY PICK 2011 for Golf, Jetta, Tiguan and Touareg

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – December 29, 2010: Volkswagen is the absolute best as far as safety is concerned: the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has this year rated a total of six Volkswagen models with the "TOP SAFETY PICK 2011". No other vehicle manufacturer received more.

In the compact class, the Jetta Sedan, Jetta Sport Wagen, Golf, Golf GTI and Tiguan (mid-class SUV) drive on to the victory podium. The Touareg is the only large SUV to receive a rating.

In the opinion of the US testers, all Volkswagens provide a high level of occupant protection in front, rear and side crashes as well in rollover accidents (roof strength). Alongside the body structure, standard safety systems such as ABS, ESP and curtain airbags were also tested by the IHSS.

The TOP SAFETY PICK is awarded every year by the IIHS for vehicles which display particular excellence in their individual segment through particularly extensive measures in the area of active and passive safety. The institute in Arlington (Virginia), which was founded in 1959, carries out its tests under commission from various different insurance companies. A total of 66 models of the leading automobile manufacturers were rated this year.