Volkswagen Website Claims Double Honours in Car Dealer Ewards

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – November 12, 2009: The Volkswagen UK website (www.volkswagen.co.uk) has been awarded two prestigious Ewards by Car Dealer magazine. The site was named overall ‘Car Manufacturer Website of the Year’, while the detailed three-dimensional Car Configurator facility won the title of ‘Web Innovation of the Year’.

Car Dealer, a leading monthly publication for the motor trade launched the Ewards last year. The awards recognise the increasing importance of the internet within the motor trade, with a large percentage of customers now researching cars online before deciding where to spend their money.

The 2009 Car Dealer Eward judging panel was composed of 10 independent experts from across the motor industry: Clive Jackson (Autotorq), Tim Smith (G-Forces),

Chris Sutton (Black Horse Motor Finance), Daniel Burgess (HPI Automotive), Chris Green (Motoring.co.uk), Richard Lawton (Really Good Domains), Shaun Armstrong (Visit Cars), Martin Hill (Codeweavers), Keith Rountree (British Car Auctions) and Rob Queen (Compucars). The judging process saw each of the shortlisted sites assessed across the five highly competitive categories, with Volkswagen claiming two honours.

The Volkswagen UK website is constantly evolving. It was designed to be a one-stop-shop for all things Volkswagen. In addition to information on the new vehicles in the range, the site contains details on technology, vehicle financing, a used car locator, Retailer bespoke websites and it also provides key information for existing owners.

Awarded ‘Web Innovation of the Year’, the interactive Car Configurator facility offers users a life-like experience of sitting in and walking round each of the models in the Volkswagen range without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. Every option that can be specified on a new Volkswagen has been included on the site, so it gives visitors the chance to see first-hand how changing and including additional options will enhance the car of their choice.

Volkswagen’s GTI Project online game (www.gtiproject.com), which allows visitors to race a scale Golf GTI around a giant electronic Scalextric track, was also highly commended in this category, securing third place.

On receiving the two Ewards, Volkswagen Relationship Marketing Manager, Marianne Nicholas commented: ‘We are delighted to receive this recognition for the Volkswagen UK site. We place a huge amount of importance on the website and have invested heavily over the last few years to provide an experience that is innovative, engaging and provides the information our customers require. This is a really great result and we are very proud of the recognition we have received.’

James Baggott, editor of Car Dealer magazine added: ‘The judges were really impressed with all aspects of the Volkswagen UK site. We were immediately struck by the site’s ease of use and the stylish way the Car Configurator worked. It thoroughly deserves the two Ewards.