- VW and Fender announced a new alliance this week.
- Fender will provide a new optional premium audio system on select VW models.
- 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI will be the first model to offer the Fender system.
HERNDON, Virginia — The Volkswagen Jetta GLI will be the first model to get an optional Fender premium audio system in spring 2011 in a new hookup between the automaker and the iconic music equipment company. VW and Fender announced a new alliance on Thursday.
"It will be optional, but I don't have anything on pricing at this point," said Kerry Christopher, Volkswagen of America spokesman, in a phone conversation with Inside Line. "It will be our high-end system."
He added: "We're exclusive. They're not doing this with any other automaker."
Volkswagen said in a statement that the Fender premium audio system will be available in all other Jettas at a later date and will be "available in the new 2012 midsize sedan and 2012 Beetle in the fall."
The Fender system features nine speakers.
Inside Line says: A clever bit of differentiation for Volkswagen, but how much it will add to the bottom line is still up in the air. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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tdiluv says:
06:50 AM, 12/11/2010
VW has done things like having a very nice sound system called "MONSOON" in the 2004 Jetta and when they came out with the new Jetta Sportwagon they had no audio options available and a below average system was provided, period. That caused my wife to buy a different car,not a VW! I don't get that company when it comes to listening to the consumer!!
akitadog says:
02:24 PM, 12/10/2010
Where's the rest of the globe on that logo?
torque63 says:
01:01 PM, 12/10/2010
This would make a lot more sense in a Mustang/Camaro/Challenger, but in a VW? I don't get it. But the TV commercials should be good.
lions208487 says:
12:51 PM, 12/10/2010
When I think of Fender I don't think of car audio, VW should have looked toward Eclipse or even Alpine to implate some much needed audi perfection.
murphopolis says:
12:42 PM, 12/10/2010
Does this mean I can plug my strat into the dash and rock out?
captainvw says:
08:31 AM, 12/10/2010
Oh Hell Yeah