Who Says Doing the Right Thing Isn't Stylish?
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| Volkswagen's New Beetle wins AMES Award for environmentally friendliness. The New Beetle Cabrio is shown. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
The 2003 Volkswagen Passat and Beetle have claimed two prestigious awards for their environmental commitments. The Automotive Market Environmental Superiority (AMES) Awards this year distinguished the two cars as the most environmentally sensitive cars. The AMES and LLC, the auto industry's leading authority on environmental performance, and R.L. Polk & Co., a trustworthy marketing source, disseminated the good news during a joint announcement regarding the vehicles.
AMES Award recipients are at the top of the charts when it comes to emission standards. A vehicle is appraised through a life cycle evaluation, including a fuel economy and tailpipe emissions test. In addition, this process determines the total environmental impact of the particular automobile by the extraction of raw materials through fabrication to final disposal.
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| The Passat has won AME's top spot for four years in a row. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
The New Beetle, taking top honors for the sporty car category, earned its second consecutive AMES Award. The Passat is the reigning champion in the compact car segment. For the entire four years the AMES Awards have been handed out, the stylish VW sedan has driven away with the distinguished top prize.
"This honor underscores Volkswagen's ongoing commitment to the environment via leading-edge technology and engineering. The right 'nuts and bolts', if you will, to preserve our air and water," commented Steve Keyes, director of corporate communications for Volkswagen of America, Inc.
President and CEO of AMES Award LLC, William Mattick, remarked, "By choosing an environmentally superior vehicle that meets their utility needs, consumers can make an important contribution to reduce the potential of global warming and subsequent climate changes."