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Many car manufacturers are finding ways to reduce their products' emission levels. For Volkswagen, it is going green upstream by taping on solar power in their manufacturing process. Volkswagen has just opened a huge solar park to provide power for their US plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The plant produces a version of the Passat that is exclusive to the North American market. The solar facility is expected to produce 13,100 megawatt hours per year thanks to the 33,600 crystal solar modules. The solar power generated will provide about 12.5% of the electricity required when the plant is operating at full capacity. Frank Fischer, CEO and chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga, said, "This facility is a key part of our 'Think Blue Factory' programme and further proof of Volkswagen's worldwide commitment to environmental protection. Once again, we are setting standards in efficient, sustainable production." Volkswagen's latest commitment to environment might help to pacify the Greenpeace activists who recently protested against the carmaker's stance on the climate outside the Vienna car show.

Volkswagen AG has just issued a recall of nearly 380,000 cars due to the potential for fuel leaks which could lead to a fire. According to The Detroit News, A total of 266,936 Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf and Rabbit models from the 2007 to 2009 model years are affected,. In addition, 110,350 new Beetle models (both hardtop and convertible) are also at risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an official recall bulletin: "The Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf and Rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The New Beetle and the New Beetle Convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line." In both instances, chafing could result in a fuel leak, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. NHTSA states that dealerships will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir. In the case of the New Beetles, the position of the fastening clamp will be inspected. Both services will be free of charge to the owners. I have a strong feeling that the Jettas all over the world will be affected since the location of the plastic tab and fuel supply line should be universal. I hope I am wrong though as I do not wish to have my life endangered.