Volkswagen has been honoured with two class victories in What Car? magazine’s Used Car of the Year 2011 awards. The 2006 Passat Estate claimed a win in the Estate car category, while the 2009 Golf TDI was crowned with the best Green used car accolade.
The What Car? Used Car of the Year judging panel was made up of experts from all areas of the motor industry including car dealerships, auction houses and What Car? magazine itself.
The Volkswagen 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. Commenting on the win, one of the judges, Kurtis Williams from Lex Autolease, said: ‘The Passat is a brilliantly built premium estate with excellent diesel engines,’ and added, ‘it’s surprisingly handsome for such a practical car.’
Meanwhile, the economical, practical and well-specified Golf SE 1.6-litre TDI was judged to be the best Green used car available, with What Car?’s used car editor, Matt Sanger, summing it up by stating: ‘Great to drive and very efficient, the Golf should be at the top of every green driver’s wish list.’
It’s not only the products which make Volkswagens a good used buy, but also the service. In April this year, Volkswagen rolled out its ‘Das WeltAuto’ used car programme which is designed to make the purchase of a secondhand car as appealing as the new car process.
Behind the scheme is Volkswagen’s Dave Wilding. He comments: ‘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 continues: ‘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.’
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk