Northshore Volkswagen, located on the North Causeway Service Road in Mandeville, opened its doors in May 2004. Since then it has offered Northshore customers an opportunity to purchase quality European cars at a reasonable price.

Locally owned, Business Manager Tom Daughdrill said Northshore Volkswagen has customer satisfaction scores for sales and service among the highest in the nation. It is the only Volkswagen dealer on the Northshore and the only dealer selling new European vehicles.

Northshore Volkswagen’s sales and service staffs are experienced and factory trained. The management staff boasts more than 85 years experience in the field.

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But, Daughdrill said, experience is not necessary to sell Volkswagens, which have safer and more cost-effective then their competitors. Every Volkswagen is built with thicker steel and paint.

“You get a more substantial product,” he said.

Volkswagen also offers the V-tex product, which has the look and feel of leather but the durability of vinyl.

Reinforcing the company’s dedication to the American market, Volkswagen is in the final stages of building an assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.

All New Jetta

Available next month, the All New Jetta will maintain all of the safety features Volkswagen drivers have become accustomed too as well as the most technologically advanced braking system available today.

Jose Amaya, sales consultant at Northshore Volkswagen, said the All New Jetta will come out priced $2,000 less than its predecessor, bringing it in line cost-wise with the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra and Honda Civic.

But, Amaya said, the Jetta will be safer and better equipped than other entry-level sedans.

It will also be larger than those other models, with three inches added to the total length. That extra space can be found in more legroom for the rear seat passengers.

It is the only model in its price range to include lumbar support, one-touch controls for all four windows and as with all Volkswagens, the All New Jetta will have a reinforced body structure and laser seam welding. Some models will come with push-button start.

In Spring 2011, Volkswagen will release the All New Jetta with a clean diesel TDI engine capable of achieving 48 miles per gallon and emphasizing Volkswagen’s commitment to be more eco-friendly.

Amaya said Volkswagen continues to make his job easy.

“This car sells itself,” he said. “It is simply gorgeous. For the price, it is the best, best buy. There is no reason not to buy it.”

Tiguan and CC

Two of Northshore Volkswagen’s top sellers are the Tiguan SUV and the CC Coupe.

The Tiguan is a compact SUV and is a tremendous seller in Europe.

Daughdrill said it is doing well in the U.S. as well.

“It proves that driving a SUV doesn’t have to be a boring, miserable experience,” he said.

The Tiguan, whose name comes from the combination of Tiger and Iguana, handles more like a sports car that a sports utility vehicle.

The Tiguan comes standard with the same award-winning 2.0L TSI engine found in Volkswagen’s GTI sports car, allowing it to go from zero to 60 in under eight seconds.

The CC also comes standard with the 2.0L TSI engine and it has not only two, but four bucket seats as well as not two but four doors.

Yes, a coupe, with four doors. But it also maintains the sleek look of a hatchback.

It comes standard with a turbo-charged engine.

“It is a very exotic looking car,” Daughdrill said. “This car looks twice as expensive as it really is. People often don’t realize how affordable it really is.”

Certified Pre-Loved

For those who do not want the note of a brand new vehicle but still want to feel like they are driving a new car, Volkswagen has an outstanding certified pre-loved program.

To be eligible to be considered pre-loved, a vehicle must first pass a 140-point inspection.

The tires and brakes must have less than 50 percent wear.

When you buy a certified pre-loved vehicle from Northshore Volkswagen, you are guaranteed that the maintenance on that car is up-to-date and the vehicles has no skeletons in its closet because before putting the car on the lot, Northshore Volkswagen’s Service team has given it a thorough inspection and has checked its CarFax report for you.

All certified pre-loved vehicles also come with an additional two-year, 24,000 miles warranty that is on top of any warranty left on the vehicle.

“This gives you the confidence of knowing you are buying a car that is essentially in the condition of a new car,” Daughdrill said.

Volkswagen Finance also offers special finance rates for certified pre-loved vehicles. These rates are often lower than new car rates.

This story is an advertisement for Northshore Volkswagen in Mandeville.