…just found this awesomely funny vw ad

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Volkswagen of America has recently announced that it will operate a production-based GTI Cup spec racing series beginning in 2008 to give chance to aspiring young racers who wants dreams of entering the professional motorsports someday. The new series is going to be sanctioned by the Sports Club of America.

According to Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris NIssen, “Volkswagen as an automotive manufacturer is represented around the globe, and we have a strong history in motorsports, including successful spec racing Cup programs in more than 10 countries. The GTI Cup in America will underscore Volkswagen’s competitive spirit and the inspiration we take from racing into the building of our vehicles.”

Although the GTI Cup racer was optimized for track performance and safety, the core or the life of the GTI remains to be the street version’s high-tech, 200 horsepower 2.0T four-cylinder engine that delivers 207 ft-lbs of torque. It is also fitted with an automated manual DSG® transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced multi-link fully independent sports-tuned rear suspension. In short the production GTI is an extremely capable machine to take on any racing challenge.

Meanwhile the German automaker has also confirmed that its motorsports-inspired 250-horsepower R32 is returning to the US this year but also added that quantity will be limited to only 5,000 units. The new R32 is scheduled to hit dealerships in August.

The R32 was first introduced in the US market in the year 2004 and shortly after its debut a great number of units were sold out. For this year since the R32 is offered in limited number only, Volkswagen will set up a reservation system in which through its R32 micro site on the automaker’s official web site. Interested R32 customers are to complete a “purchase interest” form, generating what Volkswagen describes as an R32 certificate. The first 850 people who would present an R32 certificate plus deposit to a Volkswagen’s dealer will be able to get one of the first R32 vehicles.

The R32 just like other Volkswagen’s masterpieces is built using only the best auto parts and that includes Volkswagen motor mount which is popular for quality and durability. The R32 is powered by a 3.2 liter V6 that produces 250 hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque. It is also outfitted with a standard 4Motion all-wheel-drive. The automaker said it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds.

Other features of the R32 include: twin chrome exhausts, 18 inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a unique front grille and R32 badging. Its standard features are consist of a rear roof spoiler, deep front spoiler and body-color bumpers, side bump strips, door handles and door mirrors. It also boasts of safety features like electronic stability control and antilock brakes. The interior features include aluminum-look pedals and sports seats, a 10-speaker premium CD stereo system and a trip computer.

3.2 V6 AWD hit all over

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We know that American vehicles are now as good as the Japanese cars, and better than most European cars. We also know that Volkswagen supported the Germans during World War II, and that Honda and Toyota supported the Japanese after the Pearl Harbor attacks. The American auto companies took a risk to help our country and convert their factories, knowing there was no guarantee that they'd be paid back after they bailed out the country. American cars tend to have more style than their Asian counterparts, and American vehicles use twice as much domestic parts and labor, plus they build more of their vehicles here. They cost the same, and frequently less for small cars, and help the economy so much more. It was the American autoworker that fought for better working conditions and health care.

Why then do Americans put all of this aside and buy foreign cars?

There are several problems with your argument. First, a little history. While both Volkswagen and Toyota did produce vehicles for Germany and Japan, respectively, during the war, Honda was not even founded until 1948, three years after the war. But more to the point, why should Americans not buy Toyotas and Volkswagens because, sixty years ago, those companies produced vehicles for their home countries during World War II?

Further, the American auto companies did not "[take] a risk" by converting their factories to wartime production. They didn't have to wait to be "paid back," and they didn't "[bail] out the country." They made a fortune producing vehicles, such as tanks, trucks, and jeeps, by the tens of thousands, not only for American armies, but for the British, French, and Soviets, too.

As to whether or not American cars have more "style," that is strictly a matter of opinion. While it is true that the first Hondas and Toyotas imported to the US back in the 70s after the oil crisis tended to be rather boxy and unattractive, that has not been the case for some time.

Also, as someone else here pointed out, a lot of the German and Japanese cars sold in America are actually built in America, too, providing jobs for hundreds of thousands of people. So buying Hondas and Toyotas supports American industry just as much as buying Ford, Chrysler, or GM.

Finally, rightly or wrongly, many Americans perceive German and Japanese cars as being more reliable and fuel-efficient than their American counterparts. When Americans began demanding more reliable cars, and particularly more fuel-efficient ones, years ago, the American car companies have no one but themselves to blame for resisting that trend until their German and Japanese rivals had captured a hefty chunk of the American market.

The real problem, and here we must return to the history lesson with which I began, stems from the fact that the US was the only industrial power to emerge from World War II unscathed. All of the rest, especially Germany and Japan, had been devasted, most of them physically, but all of them economically. It took thirty years or more after the war for any of these countries, principally Germany and Japan, to even begin to challenge American economic dominance. In the interim, American companies grew fat and lazy. So when the economic picture began to change in the 70s and early 80s, American companies were caught napping. If the Big 3 were to come out with cars that were at least as reliable, and more fuel-efficient, than the Germans and Japanese, which they could do if they put their minds to it, then Americans would return to them in droves. Until then Americans, being the practical people that they are, will continue to buy the cars that they think provide the best performance.

General Motors Corp. is increasing production of Chevrolet cars for India and Russia markets as the automaker tries to retain a lead over the Toyota Motor Corp., which is predicted to pass it as the world’s largest automaker this year.

Chevrolet is the top selling and most popular GM brand. It is also the largest brand of the automaker with a current offering of over 20 vehicles and other enhanced versions in its home market. Chevrolet offerings include a wide range of vehicles that covers subcompact cars to commercial trucks. The hot selling models of the Chevrolet brand are the Impala and the Silverado. The latter is the second best-selling pickup truck in the United States.

“Chevrolet cars based on Korean designs helped the automaker pass 2 million units for the first time in Europe and 1 million in Latin America last year,” said GM Vice Chairman Bob. “Since 2001, Chevy sales have increased 158 percent outside North America, making it one of the fastest-growing brands in the world.”

As part of Wagoner’s plan to boost sales and maintain the standing of GM, growth should also be realized in Russia, India and China. The plan is focused on improving sales in 11 emerging-market countries. Since Wagoner took over GM in 2000, the company has risen to first from second in those mentioned countries, which also include Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland and Turkey.

According to John Middlebrook, the company’s head of global marketing, “GM’s share in emerging markets rose 0.4 percent to 10.9 percent last year, Volkswagen AG was second at 9.3 percent, followed by Toyota at 7.7 percent and Hyundai Motor Co. and its Kia Motors Corp. subsidiary at a combined 5.2 percent.”

“While Chevrolet might not be as recognized globally as Ford or Volkswagen, it is probably the strongest brand in GM’s portfolio,” said John Casesa, the managing partner of Casesa Strategic Advisors LLC. “Right now GM has a first-mover advantage in emerging markets and I’m not so pessimistic that I think it’s inevitable that they lose to Toyota.” Wagoner added that he is not ready to concede that Toyota will overtake GM this year.

Separately, Toyota earlier announced its intention to build Highlanders in the Mississippi new plant. The production of the Highlander in the territory is scheduled to start by the year 2010. The new plant will be employing 2, 000 team members.

Toyota, in conjunction with the government of Mississippi, has chosen a 1,700-acre site in Blue Springs, Mississippi to build its eighth North American vehicle assembly plant. Toyota manufacturing executive Vice Presidents, Gary Convis and Ray Tanguay, joined Governor Governor Haley Barbour at the announcement to help deliver the good news to local citizens.

Governor Barbour said, “We in Mississippi and especially North Mississippi are excited to have been chosen by Toyota as its partner. Toyota is the world’s premiere auto manufacturer and our state will be the best partner the company has.”

Convis addressed Toyota’s challenge in balancing rapid growth while maintaining the company’s superior quality standards in building vehicles. The automaker is famed for its sophisticated technology and cutting edge auto parts that include Toyota hawk brakes and engines. “We are excited for the opportunity to do business in Mississippi and are confident the team members here will have a commitment to perform at the highest possible level,” he said. “Governor Barbour and the regional economic development team were very convincing and unrelenting in their efforts to showcase the area’s advantages,” Convis said, while acknowledging that competition among several states for the new plant was tough.

Tanguay also pointed out several factors that led to Toyota’s site selection decision. “On my visits to Northern Mississippi, I have talked with area companies and observed their workforce,” said Tanguay. “What I observed were people who are educated, ethical and friendly with a strong work ethic – a perfect match for the Toyota Way.” He added that the area’s existing companies had high praise for the workforce. “They were definitely the best sales people.”