Autostadt Experience 2007
Three Touareg customers and their wives, Gustav and Nicolette, Willie and Riona and Lance and Julie, accompanied by Volkswagen of South Africa's Marketing Communications Manager Ryan Searle, arrived in the heart of Volkswagen country on Friday, 19 October for the Volkswagen Experience tour.
Leander Bindewald from Volkswagen Experience bravely took the seven South Africans under his wings for what was to be a fantastic experience.
World of Volkswagen
Staying at the Ritz Carlton adjacent to the Wolfsburg factory and exploring the surrounding 'World of Volkswagen' was a treat for owners of the flagship Touareg. On the Saturday each couple took charge of their Volkswagen Experience V6 3.0 TDI Touareg and the four silver Touaregs headed south in the direction of Nuremburg.
Through beautiful countryside and autobahns the group reached the beautiful old city of Nuremberg and quickly donned the Springbok colours to join a rugby spectacle of immense proportions. In an old Irish pub they watched as the Springboks took the World Cup trophy - it must be noted that Gustav gave up his tickets to the Paris final to be with Volkswagen in Germany.
Slightly 'bruised' but victoriously happy the group moved into the beautiful countryside the next morning and enjoyed a thrilling off-road experience in the hills just outside of the Audi capital - Ingolstadt. After some of the most beautiful countryside and an amazing display of Touareg capability the group arrived in Munich in time for the Formula One Grand Prix final.
A Sunday night in the famous Paulaner Brauhaus with the first snowfalls of winter on the streets of Munich made for a very special night.
The following day the group departed with the intention of reaching Slovakia and the home of Touareg - Bratislava. On route, Leander shared the magical Bergtesgarten prior to entering Austria and the Touaregs performed particularly well on the wet and icy mountain passes.
Passing through Austria on Monday afternoon and arriving in a very wet and cold Slovakia, four Touaregs came to a halt in the old city of Bratislava. A final dinner in the old city on the Monday night reflected on the 1 500km that had been travelled and many jokes were shared.
Home of the Touareg
The Volkswagen plant on the outskirts of Bratislava is one of the most modern facilities within the Volkswagen Group and it is the proud manufacturing facility for the amazing Touareg. Following a jaw-dropping tour the group enjoyed lunch at a restaurant not far from the factory and were transferred by Volkswagen Shuttle to Vienna Airport.
Ryan Searle describes the trip as probably one of the most valuable trips that he has ever been privileged to host. "To spend quality time with six people who believe in the Touareg, and now believe in Volkswagen as a whole, is a truly rewarding and an invaluable experience. Each customer truly believes that they will never own anything else other than a Touareg."
