Volkswagen Launches the New Beetle in the U.S.

Volkswagen of America and a number of its dealerships nationwide today welcomed the official arrival of the all-new 2012 Beetle for 276 enthusiastic recipients. Some of the first to own the completely redesigned vehicles will be the lucky fans of "The Oprah Winfrey Show,” who have been anticipating this day since "The Oprah Winfrey Show” gifted her audience with, among other fabulous items, free 2012 Beetle vehicles during one of the show’s two "Ultimate Favorite Things” giveaways last year.

Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc., personally handed keys to the 2012 Beetle to 21 "Ultimate Favorite Things” recipients at the Volkswagen of Orland Park dealership in Orland Park, Ill., this morning. Additional giveaway recipients were met with the sportier Beetle in 125 other Volkswagen dealerships throughout the nation.

The excited recipients brought home the all-new 2.5L 6-speed automatic Beetle. They chose the color of the vehicles from the following options: Denim Blue, Reflex Silver Metallic, Saturn Yellow and Tornado Red.

"The 2012 Beetle is an American icon that has been redesigned to fulfill the needs of the modern driver, while remaining true to its vintage characteristics. It is fully-customizable and is our sportiest, most fuel-efficient Beetle yet,” said Browning. "We are very proud to present a new generation of Beetle owners with a vehicle that is built with no-compromise German engineering, is fun to drive, and will no doubt spark a sense of nostalgia and community that only the Beetle can evoke.”

The new owners learned they were receiving cars on November 22, 2010, when Winfrey revealed the design silhouette of the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle and announced, "This is one powerful, sophisticated, sexy Beetle... All of you in this audience will be [among] the first people in the world to own one when it makes its debut next year!”

Redesigned for just the second time in history, the all-new Beetle features a lower, more aggressive stance; is wider for even better handling; and longer for increased interior space. The second skin program allows customers to design a 2012 Beetle with an array of accessories for interior and exterior personalization. Additionally, the all-new Beetle presents consumers with a range of standard and optional technology features, including Bluetooth® technology, iPod® connectivity and the Fender® Premium Audio System.

Credits: wilswong