Double win for Volkswagen at What Car? awards
Volkswagen has been honoured with two class victories in What Car? magazine’s Used Car of the Year 2011 awards.
The 2006 Passat Estate clinched the Estate car title, while the 2009 Golf TDI was crowned with the best Green used car accolade.
Picking the winners of the What Car? Used Car of the Year were a judging panel made up of experts from all areas of the motor industry including car dealerships, auction houses and What Car? magazine itself.
Stylish
The Passat Estate was highly praised for its blend of style, substance and value, as well as its capacious boot, ample cabin space and supple but engaging ride.
One of the judges, Kurtis Williams from Lex Autolease, said he found the estate “surprisingly handsome for such a practical car.”
He added: “The Passat is a brilliantly built premium estate with excellent diesel engines.
Environmentally friendly
The economical, practical and well-specified Golf SE 1.6-litre TDI was deemed to be the best Green used car available.
What Car?’s used car editor, Matt Sanger, praised the vehicle’s eco credentials saying: “Great to drive and very efficient, the Golf should be at the top of every green driver’s wish list.”
Service boost
And Retailers will have been given another major boost by the magazine.
They will be delighted to hear that it was not only the products that had caught the eye but the service which made the brand “a good used buy”.
This is great news for Volkswagen, which rolled out its Das WeltAuto used car programme in April 2011. The programme is designed to make the purchase of a second hand car as appealing as the new car process.
Closing the gap
Behind the scheme is Volkswagen UK’s Dave Wilding.
He said: “Despite our best efforts there is still a gap between the new and used car purchase experience.
“In launching Das WeltAuto, we’re attempting to close that gap and to match the used car and the package that comes with it to the requirements of the customer.”
He added: “We’ve worked hard to develop the right components for the programme and also on branding and marketing.
“Wherever customers see the orange Das WeltAuto branding they’ll know they’ll get a great customer experience.”
