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Urban Planning: Audi and Volkswagen Star in New York
Duo Celebrate Grand Opening of New Showroom in NYC
The opening of two new VW and Audi flagship dealerships in New York City was celebrated on May 10, 2013. Two buildings have been integrated for the dealerships with a combined total of 265,000 square feet.
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
The dealerships are placed directly across 10th Avenue from luxury car competitors BMW, and a parentered MINI dealership. Volkswagen and Audi invested a whopping $135 million into the two high tech showrooms, which feature cars as well as Audi and VW gear. Two floors of VW vehicles can be seen from the street through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
Facing 10th Avenue, the joint Volkswagen and Audi showrooms take up the entire block between 55th and 56th Streets. Other competing luxury-segment dealerships on this strip include Lexus, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Lincoln. Audi prominently displays a shiny white R8 Cabriolet by the corner window, attracting a lot of second looks.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
With record-breaking sales in the United States in 2012, AUDI AG will be investing up to $17 billion into technology and facilities over the next three years. As one of the top luxury car brands in Europe, the Audi dealership squares against the Mercedes-Benz showroom on the south side of 55th Street.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
Party guests milled between the cars, casually checking out the interiors. Many took the opportunity to pose in the driver's seat of the Audi S6 Cabriolet.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
As space is at a premium in New York City, the dealerships are laid out as vertical parking garages. The VW Audi combined showroom consists of five floors of cars behind the facade.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
Guests were escorted upwards through the facility on golf carts, and taken to the rooftop where the celebration continued. More Volkswagen and Audi vehicles were displayed throughout the venue.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (left) and Hans Dieter Pötsch, member of the board of directors of Volkswagen Group of America (right) were on hand for the opening. Earlier in the day, they both spoke at the ecologically-inspired show EXPO 1: New York City at MoMA PS1 as part of their partnership with the Museum of Modern Art.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
Tacombi tacos were served from a different sort of food truck - a heavily customized Volkswagen bus.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. talking to the crowd about VW's investments in North America. The manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee - which manufactures the Passat - is an award-winning innovation in energy efficiency, and part of VW's eco-conscious "Think Blue" initiative.
Photo: Megan Green
VW and Audi Flagship Showroom Grand Opening in NYC
The Roots gave party-goers an outstanding performance, with the buildings of New York City providing a beautiful backdrop.
Photo: Megan Green
