New York, NY: Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group America greeted media and guests from around the world alongside celebrity music artist and DJ Pete Wentz to unveil third generation, 21st Century Beetle. The morning kicked off with a personalized spin session from Wentz featuring songs from longtime friend and business partner Travis McCoy, and of course hip hop selections. Cheering Volkswagen fans sipped mimosas and noshed on mini bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and other morning favorites.
The sleek new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, only the third generation of this beloved iconic car, showcases the company’s style, performance, and the latest advances in German engineering. The 21st Century Beetle debuted on three continents this morning starting in Shanghai, China followed by events in Berlin and Lower Manhattan.
“I’m stoked to be here celebrating the unveiling of the 21st century Beetle,” Wentz remarked, before heading over to the chic red model for a second mini-session. “I love that the new Beetle is so sleek-it’s totally a guy’s car and I could see myself driving this updated version of the classic.” When asked if he had any cherished Volkswagen memories, as so many Americans do, Wentz smirked and divulged, “My favorite Volkswagen memory is getting to second base in the back seat!”
At the MTV World Stage event in New York City, presented by the 21st Century Beetle, The Black Eyed Peas performed their most popular hits, including material from their latest album, “The Beginning.” The New York performance was also streamed live on www.WorldStage.MTV.com (except in the UK), with highlights later that will be broadcast on MTV networks around the world, making it the most widely distributed World Stage event to date. Highlights from both the New York and Berlin events will also be available online.
The Beetle is an icon of the automotive world, just like MTV is an icon of the music world. In the context of this marketing alliance, we are taking the new Volkswagen directly to customers and fans of the Volkswagen brand – and we are doing it globally,” states Luca de Meo, Director of Marketing, Volkswagen Group and Volkswagen Brand Passenger Cars. “We are certain that the car’s one-of-a-kind styling combined with the latest technology will be very well received by customers.”
The 21st Century Beetle is an automotive icon, reinvented. Its exterior reinterprets the silhouette of the famous Volkswagen Beetle, combining stylistic elements borrowed from the original coupled with the latest technology. The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle guarantees drivers a fun and unique driving experience.
The event featured an introduction from Jonathan Browning and remarks from Luca de Meo, head of Global Marketing, and Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design for the brand. For more information on the 21st Century Beetle, visit vw.com or media.vw.com.
Photo credited to: Johnny Nunez & Scott Gries/PictureGroup
