(Marketwire) -

• Car With TotalFlex Engine for Work in Deprived Areas
• Environmentally Compatible Mobility for Catholic Kolpingwerk

The Volkswagen Group is donating a vehicle to the Catholic charity Kolpingwerk for its social and educational work in the deprived districts of the city of Guarapuava in Southern Brazil. The small car is equipped with TotalFlex technology developed in Brazil and allowing operation on gasoline, ethanol produced from sugar-cane or a mixture of the two fuels.

The fuel consumption of the car previously used was excessive and availability was poor as a result of frequent major repairs. Karl Wiszniewsky, who heads the "Obra Kolping" in Parana, reports: "Our work includes visits to our Kolping families. We listen to their worries and concerns, are there for them, give them tips and advice and celebrate the church year with them. We are very pleased that the car which has been provided will keep us mobile in the critical marginal areas of Guarapuava in the future." Kolping families are self-help groups and their activities help people in need to master the challenges of their everyday lives. The Obra Kolping in the state of Parana was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Guarapuava, a city of 160,000 inhabitants with poor educational and transport infrastructure.

Volkswagen has been active in Brazil for more than half a century and has established a foundation in the country, the "Fundação Volkswagen," to support social and environmental projects. Dr. Thomas Steg, Volkswagen Group General Representative for External Relations and Government Relations, said: "Sustainability is the cornerstone of our corporate policy. Only companies which conserve resources and shoulder their social responsibility will continue to be successful in the future. I am very pleased that we are once again supporting educational and social work through mobility by providing this Volkswagen vehicle."