VW American Awarded Prestigious LEED® Green Building Certification

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HERNDON, Va. (January 20, 2010) – Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded LEED® Silver level certification for its Herndon, Va. office building. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, established by the USGBC and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

“We are an environmentally responsible company – from our cars to our LEED-aggressive manufacturing plant being built in Chattanooga, Tenn.,” said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO for Volkswagen Group of America. “Greening our workspace is another example of our commitment to a sustainable future.”

Following a three-month performance review period, Volkswagen Group achieved LEED Silver level certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. Volkswagen Group uses energy-efficient building features such as compact florescent bulbs at each desk, employs green cleaning techniques and has a comprehensive recycling program. The building also has motion-sensored lights throughout, and the company reinforces eco-smart behavior like turning off each and every piece of electronics at the end of the day.

Recently, Volkswagen Group enhanced its energy-conservation initiatives by introducing a battery-recycling program, a light bulb recycling program and sustainable product purchasing where Volkswagen Group and the property management company evaluate the products purchased for the building to identify sustainable alternatives. New features will continue to be added.

“With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC’s vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, Volkswagen Group is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement.”

About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the world's third largest automaker and the largest carmaker in Europe. It houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va.

Volkswagen Group of America brings to the U.S. vehicles that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and environmentally sound automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes.

The company has approximately 2,500 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through an 800-strong dealer network. With increasing popularity for its brands in the U.S., the company has set the goal of reaching one million car sales in the country by 2018.
For more information, visit www.volkswagengroupamerica.com.