Tiguan Arrival

Its clearly a long-awaiting arrival when the sales staff runs out onto the lot to eyeball the newest model when it arrives on the transport truck. Ryan Welsh and I were the first to run out like 10 year olds after the ice cream truck when our first four Tiguans arrived a week ago. The long-awaited, first ever CUV from Volkswagen has at long-last set all four tires on our lot. In varying trim levels and seven color including: Alpine Gray, Wild Cherry, Blue Sapphire, Black Pearl, Candy White, Reflex Silver, and White Gold, I am surprised by the spacious interior of the Tiguan with the relatively small amount of pavement it enjoys. The Tiguan is a compact Sport Utility Vehicle, but without the usual gas-guzzling connotations. Both 4Motion and front-wheel drive models use an incredibly small amount of fuel at 25 mpg. That with the famous 2.0L turbo-charged GTI engine making the Tiguan feel practically weightless with more than enough throttle to take you in and out of city traffic to offroad heaven in einem Augenblick (German for blink of an eye). I could certainly rave all day, but in order to experience for yourself how utilitarian and well-engineered the new Tiguan is, how heavenly its panoramic sunroof, and just how much SPORT is in its SUV, come into Eich Motor Company and enjoy a Tiguan demonstration today!

Jetta TDI Clean Diesel Update

Its been an exciting few months at Eich Motor Company. Most of our staff has returned from the various Auto Shows in the country - Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis, and all have received rave reviews. I was only lucky enough to see some of our brands' new offerings in Minneapolis, but I really should use the word only. The Volkswagen Tiguan was the star of this show and a star it was! Overall, I was very impressed with the Tiguan. My expectations were exceeded in it's stance, presence, and spaciousness. Featuring optional 19" Alloy wheels and a Panoramic Sunroof, the Tiguan appeared to take up minimal space on the outside, with an almost greenhouse appeal inside -- and I in no way mean a small greenhouse. The amount of glass certainly lended itself to an unusally spacious interior and legroom looked to be at a premium. The new dashboard gave the Tiguan a very "offroad-in-style" feel with its ergonomic design and appealing style. It is sure to steal the show in our showroom this Summer. Make sure to check back with us to find out about our first arrivals!

The Chicago show definetely set the stage with the TDI Clean Diesel. Mat Sanborn took pictures of this long-awaited model in both sedan and wagon forms, as well as a picture of the almost mythical 2.0L Clean TDI engine. A list of interested buyers have already put deposits down here at the store and are excited to receive one of the first 2009 Jetta TDI Clean Diesels to arrive on our lot! We will have one in early June for demonstration (but not initially for sale). I cannot believe that this newest offering has 40 more horseswith 90% less emissions! It is proof that German Engineers have yet to be out-engineered by other makes and both European and American regulations.

As we receive more information regarding these models, we will make the information available, until then, feel free to contact us at 1-888-341-1499 for further questions! Be sure to put your name down for an 09 TDI model. They're sure to be good clean fun!

Eich Motor Company - Celebrating 110 Years

This morning as I comtemplated our 110th Anniversary, I wondered where we ranked in terms of the oldest dealerships in the US. Last year Eich Motor Company was awarded with the NADA's Century Award and ranked 9th as the oldest established dealership in the United States. At that moment, I felt a wave of honor to work in one of the longest living family-owned and operated automobile dealerships in the United States. One would think that for that reason alone this business would be pompous and powerful, using its wealth and reputation for monetary gains. But from the time I entered the doors of this once smallish VW showroom at 1933 W. Division St in St. Cloud, MN, I felt nothing but sincere appreciation for my interest in the company and ongoing gratitude for my business. Even as a high schooler with big dreams of one day owning my own New Beetle (and having little money to realize that dream) I was warmly welcomed, treated well, and when I'd leave wished a safe return. Fast forward seven years and I hold the Marketing Manager's position at this store and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't see the little things, the details, the friendly family-oriented atmosphere that often is played up at other stores, but seldom felt, that drives the on-going success of this dealership. It may not sound like anything profound, but when asked about small-business in the United States, this is truly a success story, especially in ways other than monetary.

Incorporated in 1898 as a farm implement and machinery dealer, A.A. Eich began a small franchise on Seventh St. in downtown St. Cloud. Studebaker wagons and buggies would later become the focus of their efforts and in 1910 the first Studebaker car was sold. Later renamed A.A. Eich & Son, the dealership sold several other brands including MG, Triumph, Austin-Healy, Hillman, Borgward, and finally, Mercedes until 1975. St. Cloud's first imported car was probably a BMC (British Motor Car.) Volkswagen would be the driving brand of the company when the first Beetle was sold on November 8, 1960. The Mazda brand was added in 1973.

There isn't enough room on this blog page to elaborate on the history of the company or the heritage of the brands we carry, but if interested, please visit our website for a more complete historical account of Eich Motor Company here. And if in the neighborhood, please stop by and have a cup of coffee with us. You're always welcome.

2009 Volkswagen Routan

Official photographs of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan have been released. With only days before the Chicago Autoshow, Volkswagen has made available a first look at the 2009 Routan mini-van it expects to launch in September. "A car for all routes and reasons" the Routan's name is mixture of the english word "route" and attaches Volkwagen's signature "an" prefix to denote the line-up of mini-van offerings as in the german Touran and Sharan models. Volkswagen expects this unique offering to sell 40,000 unit in its peak year and touts it as the "only European alternative" for minivans in the US market. With unique features such as imposed seven-passenger seating and touch-screen navigation, the Routan will round out our line-up her at Eich Motor Company. For several years customers have sought after a vehicle that can house the entire family and the Routan promises to fill that void. After the decision not to import the increasingly hard-to-find EuroVan, loyal VW enthusiasts will be able to return to their roots and brand-of-choice with this newest addition.

With a base price of around $25,000, the Routan will offer a great starting price for this, what is sure to be, a premium European alternative to other makes and models. Be sure to check back for more information regarding the Volkswagen Routan, or check out the Chicago Auto Show for more information here.

Detriot Auto Show: Preview

Tomorrow, January 23rd, I will be flying to Detriot to attend the 2008 Detriot Auto Show. Also making the trip from Eich will be salespeople Jeff, Tony, Ryan, and master technician Andy. It will be a long day, as we will have to leave Saint Cloud at about 4:30 a.m. to make our flight, but it should be well worth it!

Volkswagen has five new products becoming available in the 2008 calendar year...FIVE! I hope to get an up-close look at the new Jetta Sportwagen, the Tiguan (VW's new crossover SUV), the Passat CC (VW's venture into the the realm of the four-door coupe), and Volkswagen's new diesel engine (available in the Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, and Tiguan). Unfortunately we won't be able to see the Routan (VW's new minivan) because it is scheduled to be unveiled February 8th at the Chicago Auto Show.

On the Mazda side of things, there should be some amazing products to check out as well, including a race car concept called the Furai (see photo above) and the new and improved Mazda 6.

If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited to check all this out. We'll be taking many pictures, and I'll post a blog later this week with a recap. Until then...

Chris Stumvoll

Its Debut: The Passat CC Coupe

Today marks an exciting day. Volkswagen AG has released official photographs of the 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC Coupe. Seen as a segment-gap closing offering somewhere between the current Passat sedan and the Dresden, Germany-produced Phaeton, it takes only one glance to see that this newest addition is distinctly Volkswagen as well as head-turning. The Passat CC Coupe (Coupe denoting the shorter trunk and longer more elegant C-pillar) will be available with a whole host of features. While information released today on this exciting vehicle pertains to the European model, this vehicle will be produced and assembled overseas and will offer much of what being made available there. To see the article in full and to view exciting new photographs, click here.

This vehicle will be available at Eich Motor Company late 2008, so if you're interested, please see us and we will do our best to provide you with more information and put your name down on the list. You can be the first to grace St. Cloud with its presence. And it does have quite a presence!

A Fantastic Year! Many thanks.

With the few remaining days I'm sure we're all reflecting on 2007. It was a really fantastic year, wasn't it? I had the opportunity to do so many wonderful things. One of the year's highlights was my trip to Germany. It really was an amazing time. I not only stayed with a wonderful family that was warm and accomodating, friendly and fun, I had the opportunity to volunteer my time at a Grundschule, or elementary school, helping german kids with their homework. I toured the Audi factory and museum based in Ingolstadt, where I stayed, and saw the Audi A3 assembly line. That was really a sight to see. It gave me a whole new outlook on the company we represent, Volkswagen AG. With impeccably clean assembly lines, fit into efficient spaces with the most technologically advanced equipment, I really knew that Volkswagen took the engineering and assembly of their vehicles very seriously. It makes me think about each and every car that we have on our lot and just how much detail went into each and every one of them. It's amazing. And they made it here, just as I did, safe and sound. Really marvelous.

It would not have been possible for me to spend the month I did in Germany if it weren't for Carl Fasen and Linda Eich, the General Manager and Owner of Eich Motor Company. I came to them early in the year and let them both know that I would have the opportunity to study abroad in Ingolstadt for some credits toward the German BA I've been working toward. It is a rare thing to be able to have the flexibility to work from a computer halfway across the world. I'm glad they could trust me with this experience. I appreciate how good they both are to all of us here at the dealership and I couldn't be more pleased to work for such fantastic people.

2007 was an interesting year for Volkswagen as well. Without a Diesel this year, we certainly had a challenge ahead of us. There is tremendous value in our product offerings in terms of safety, features, and performance. I firmly believe that for the price we're able to offer these solid, German-engineered vehicles, made for the Autobahn, we have an extraordinary product. I came to Eich Motor Company seven years ago because I found a solid, innovative product that I fell in love with and ended up finding a whole dealership full of people I fell in love with as well. So, I raise my Champagne glass high and toast them and 2007. I can't wait to see what awaits us in 2008. :) Til then!

Andy