I have written to VW Australia, representing this site (and Sydney Biodiesel) on 2 occasions and I have been given NO RESPONSE. I can only conclude that they consider responding to me as a problem for whatever reasons they have. I am including my questions to them, then I will follow with questions that other users have posed to them and received answers for. Below are my (unanswered) letters to them.
I'd like to preface this by saying that the letter sent (below) nearly 2 weeks ago has still not been answered. I run a web forum which last month got over 180,000 hits. There were over 3,000 unique visitors on it in January and the numbers are growing rapidly (Note – these numbers have now nearly doubled in the few months since I sent this). There are many people discussing the VW Golf in my forum. I am seeking a response from you, both for myself and on behalf of my members. I note that you have also recently given a response to one of my colleagues regarding biodiesel which indicates that VW Australia need to do a bit of education and catch-up on biodiesel and the Australian standard that exists for it. I would urge you that the best way to proceed from here would be to open a dialogue with us, as you will find people willing to assist your progress in this matter. I will be posting details of major manufacturer’s responses to the Australian Biodiesel Standard very soon, so you still have the opportunity to paint VW in a good light there.
<<sent 30/1/06>>
I'd like to get in contact with Volkswagen regarding the use/promotion of biodiesel in Australia. Obviously in Europe, this is quite common, but in Australia, still very new.
I currently drive a Land Rover on Australian Standard Specification, commercially produced biodiesel. In March I am looking to switch this vehicle to a VW.
I understand that in Europe, VW is one of the only manufacturers who actually recommend the use of biodiesel and as such, I would be keen to see what you intend to do in Australia.
As you are no doubt aware, diesel fuelled vehicles will soon make it big here. Although any diesel engine will run on biodiesel, those that can brand themselves as biodiesel friendly will make it even bigger, not just on environmental issues, but economic as well. I would see VW as being one of these, possibly the first in Australia.
Currently, biodiesel is commercially available at less cost than distillate (petro-diesel) and once the Australian marketplace wakes up to this, there will be a rush to buy diesel passenger vehicles that were once considered only for commercial use.
I’m sure I’m telling you what you already know here, but I would like to open a dialogue with the appropriate person in VW Australia (possibly a PR Manager etc) regarding biodiesel here.
I am currently involved with websites for the Sydney Biodiesel Users Group – www.sydneybiodiesel.com, the Australian Biofuels Forum – www.biofuelsforum.com as well as www.brisbanebiodiesel.com and www.melbournebiodiesel.org. As you will see, the biodiesel scene in Australia is beginning to gain some momentum and we will be seeking input from vehicle manufacturers to make available to our users and the public via our sites. These sites have only been running for less than 6 months, but are now scoring thousands of new visitors every month and membership is rapidly growing.
Because I am looking to use a VW in the coming months, I thought I might give VW the opportunity to share in the process, as it may well aid both of our causes.
I’d appreciate it if you could contact me at your earliest convenience, (xxx xxx xxx) or (email address) to discuss.
Regards,
Robert Fyvie
Sydney Biodiesel
<<sent 30/1/06>>
I'd like to get in contact with Volkswagen regarding the use/promotion of biodiesel in Australia. Obviously in Europe, this is quite common, but in Australia, still very new.
I currently drive a Land Rover on Australian Standard Specification, commercially produced biodiesel. In March I am looking to switch this vehicle to a VW.
I understand that in Europe, VW is one of the only manufacturers who actually recommend the use of biodiesel and as such, I would be keen to see what you intend to do in Australia.
As you are no doubt aware, diesel fuelled vehicles will soon make it big here. Although any diesel engine will run on biodiesel, those that can brand themselves as biodiesel friendly will make it even bigger, not just on environmental issues, but economic as well. I would see VW as being one of these, possibly the first in Australia.
Currently, biodiesel is commercially available at less cost than distillate (petro-diesel) and once the Australian marketplace wakes up to this, there will be a rush to buy diesel passenger vehicles that were once considered only for commercial use.
I’m sure I’m telling you what you already know here, but I would like to open a dialogue with the appropriate person in VW Australia (possibly a PR Manager etc) regarding biodiesel here.
I am currently involved with websites for the Sydney Biodiesel Users Group – www.sydneybiodiesel.com, the Australian Biofuels Forum – www.biofuelsforum.com as well as www.brisbanebiodiesel.com and www.melbournebiodiesel.org. As you will see, the biodiesel scene in Australia is beginning to gain some momentum and we will be seeking input from vehicle manufacturers to make available to our users and the public via our sites. These sites have only been running for less than 6 months, but are now scoring thousands of new visitors every month and membership is rapidly growing.
Because I am looking to use a VW in the coming months, I thought I might give VW the opportunity to share in the process, as it may well aid both of our causes.
I’d appreciate it if you could contact me at your earliest convenience, (xxx xxx xxx) or (email address) to discuss.
Regards,
Robert Fyvie
Sydney Biodiesel
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