Automotive sales and production worldwide has slowed a bit this year as economies slow, but the production of Volkswagen vehicles in China continues to grow. According to Automotive News, sales are up 23.2% for vehicles build in the communist country, with over one-half million vehicles produced. This number move very close to VW's  production in Germany and actually trails in number of vehicles built by a mere 3,000. If production continues at this grow pace, China will be the largest producer of VWs in the world ... perhaps by year end?

Volkswagen cars currently have nearly 20 percent of the market in China and with the introduction of up to 14 new models in the next 2 years, should continue to dominate. VW executives expect the Chinese market for their vehicles will grow from 5.6 million units to 10.3 million over the next 10 years, proving once again that China is a major economic producer and consumer in this 21st century.

VW's 282 MPG Super Fuel Efficient Car
The 1-Liter car has been around in prototype form since 2002 and greens everywhere have been drooling at its 282 miles per gallon fuel economy (or 1 liter of gasoline per 100 kilometers, hence the name). VW has finally decided to make more and sell them, and a limited edition (estimated in the thousands) should start selling in 2010.

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Golf's high levels of value and comfort nullify class distinctions

• New Golf design points the way to Volkswagen's future
• TDI, TSI and DSG systems improve fuel economy by up to 28 percent
• First Golf with adaptive chassis and automatic distance control

Volkswagen is unveiling its most important automotive secret of the year: the new Golf. The car – Europe's most successful with more than 26 million sold – was improved in all areas. "This sixth generation of Golf cars will completely redefine the quality and comfort level of its class over broad categories, offering more customer value than ever before", says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen AG. The European market launch of the new Golf will begin in October; following in succession will be Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. The entry price for the German market is around 16,500 Euros.

Innovative power – the Golf democratizes progress

It looks as if the small supply of new 2009 VW Jetta TDIs will be gobbled up for a few months to come; MotorTrend questions the reasons why diesel VW (even with the premium for diesel fuel) are in strong demand.

"The initial batch of Volkswagen Jetta TDIs have started to appear at Volkswagen dealers around the country" ... so I have read at AutoBlogGreen.

 Just when you thought there wasn’t a 40-plus-mpg car available for $20K other than the pipsqueak Smart Fortwo, we happened upon this timely

At a time when automakers are about to roll out more diesel cars, it’s a bit off-putting to see diesel prices so high, especially because only a year ago they were more than $1.50 cheaper per gallon than they are now. The national average for diesel is now around $4.50 per gallon, compared to $2.80 last year at this time.

Part of the reason why diesel prices are so high is that, worldwide, there are more diesel vehicles now and demand for the fuel is high. Other countries have jumped all over diesels because of increasing oil prices and the excellent gas mileage that diesel engines get.

From the KickingTires article, “Why is Diesel More Expensive Than Gas?”, author Stephen Markley writes: