VW teams up with Fender for in-car audio systems

13 December 2010 - Herndon, VA – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today it has joined forces with Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to bring the raw emotion of a live music performance to the driving experience. The company's partnership with Fender will equip select 2012 models with the all-new Fender Premium Audio System.

"The best seat in the house is now behind the wheel of a Volkswagen," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "Our two iconic companies - one with a passion for driving, one with a passion for music - are joining forces to bring the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience."

"By partnering with Volkswagen on the Fender Premium Audio System, we are creating a unique partnership with a truly innovative company allowing us to deliver a product that is as unique, expressive and dynamic as the customers who use it," said Mark Van Vleet, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs for Fender.

The new Jetta GLI will be the first Volkswagen model in dealerships this spring featuring the all-new Fender Premium Audio System, developed exclusively for the Volkswagen brand. It will be available in all other Jettas later, and will be available in the new 2012 midsize sedan and 2012 Beetle in the fall. Now drivers can have Volkswagen's superior German engineering matched with the highest quality sound.

The Fender Premium Audio System in Volkswagen was born of collaboration between two brands known for precision in engineering and passion for innovation. To develop the best possible audio system for Volkswagen, Fender formed a partnership with Panasonic that combined Fender's 64 years of expertise in sound and sound amplification with Panasonic's 68 years of experience with mobile audio systems.

The Fender Premium Audio System in 2012 Volkswagen models is embedded in the vehicle design. Three years of research, development and tuning in a new, state-of-the-art sound lab, resulted in a nine-speaker system that delivers uncompromised clarity, regardless of volume, with a unique sound that Americans will love.

The system features proprietary Panasonic speaker technology. The system covers the cabin with directional sound from front door speakers that generate imaging beyond the capabilities of traditional speaker designs. It cuts through the noise and other distractions with front dual voice coil speakers, with extended range for all musical genres.

The design features lower inter-modulation distortion and smooth mid-range response to eliminate harshness. It is harmonically complex, with extended range tweeters and properly voiced 16cm speakers revealing original instrumentation timbre and harmonic richness.

Speaking at the International Motor Press Association meeting in New York, Browning was joined in making the announcement by Van Vleet and Allen Kudla, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Panasonic.