HERNDON, Va., June 29, 2010-Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced
a VW-Certified Collision Repair Facility program for U.S.
dealer-affiliated and independent body shops. This program provides
VW-certification for collision repair facilities performing repairs in
accordance with Volkswagen’s high safety standards and specifications.

“Volkswagen is excited to partner with both dealer-affiliated and
independent collision repair facilities to increase repair quality and
customer satisfaction with the Volkswagen brand,” said Matthew
McCauley, Collision Program Manager for Volkswagen of America. “This
program benefits Volkswagen owners by providing the peace of mind that
comes from knowing that when a vehicle is involved in a collision,
VW-Certified Collision Repair Facilities will maintain the brand’s
safety standards and specifications.”

Volkswagen conducted a pilot with a group of fifteen repair facilities
to maximize program benefits for body shops before launching the
program nationally.

Technicians at Volkswagen Certified Collision Repair Facilities must
undergo training in the proper use of the factory-approved repair
equipment, tools, and technologies to meet Volkswagen’s exact safety
standards and specifications. Repair facilities must also use
Volkswagen-approved tools. Volkswagen will visit repair facilities to
provide annual program certification and will list VW-Certified
Collision Repair Facilities as they become certified on www.vw.com.

Dealer-affiliated and independent collision repair facilities will
benefit from the prestige, marketing, and increased customer retention
benefits of being a VW-Certified Collision Repair Facility. Volkswagen
will provide collision repair facilities access to marketing materials
to promote their certified status, in addition to exclusive access to
vehicle specific-, structural material-, and collision
industry-training on a dedicated program website,
http://www.vwparts.com/collision-parts/certified-collision-repair-facility-program/.
Volkswagen will also provide customers with free 24-hour towing of
vehicles under warranty exclusively to VW-Certified Collision Repair
Facilities as part of the Roadside Assistance program, when they
simply call (800) 411-6688.

This program benefits Volkswagen dealers by providing them with full
service capabilities for customers. Volkswagen will allow dealers to
either nominate their own collision repair facility to be certified by
Volkswagen or to nominate an independent collision repair facility
that meets Volkswagen standards. Additionally, dealers will benefit
from additional genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts sales to their
sponsored collision repair facility.

Repair facilities interested in participating in this program should
contact Volkswagen of America at vwcollisionparts@vw.com. Volkswagen
dealerships should nominate collision repair facilities by contacting
vwcollisionparts@vw.com.