Fleet of Volkswagens wrecked by hailstones
Storm on a T-Cut Volkswagen Golf: The evidence
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 01 July 2008
A freakish shower of hailstones the size of ping pong balls caused damage to 30,000 new, pre-delivery Volkswagen Golfs, Passats, Polos, Eos, Jettas and Tiguans at a German port.The worldwide automotive industry arguably has a lot to answer for with regards the part it plays in climate change, however Mother Nature has chosen to vent her considerable spleen on a collection of seemingly inoffensive Volkswagens in Germany.30,000 Vee-Dubs were quietly waiting in line to be shipped overseas from a dockside plant in Emden on Germany’s northern seaboard when the hailstorm struck.
Hail the size of ping pong balls rained down on the new Volkswagens in a freak storm that’s caused damage worth hundreds of millions of dollars. For the most part, vehicles sustained heavy paint and bodywork damage, yet amazingly little glass was shattered during the climatical strop.The German car manufacturer has assured customers across Europe waiting on delivery of their new Volkswagens that they’ll leave no hailstone unturned in their quest to uncover any unseen damage, however invisible to the naked eye.Fortunately, the far-sighted auto builders carry the type of gargantuan insurance policy that covers such acts of God.
All the latest car videos and adverts that will keep you entertained, from car manufacturer ads to movie car chases
Check out weirdest car stories from around the Web: goose smash terror; rabbits running amok; stupid car thieves; unscheduled 50mph wheelchair rides and an unfortunate end for a Bugatti Veyron.
We've scoured the net for the best car and bike games that you can play online for free.
Volkswagen updates TSI petrol turbo engine line-up and introduced common-rail TDI technology on Golf range.
Volkswagen has released official pictures and details of the new, sixth-generation Golf hatchback, promising the safest, most technically advanced and most dynamic Golf yet.
Shame they weren´t crap American cars.
advertisement
The ‘Tumbler’ Batmobile – as seen in The Dark Knight - is always cause for much discussion amongst Bat fans. Some though go that much further, by making their own Batmobile. These people often carry American passports. | 21/08/2008
The Trident Iceni two-seater sports car can hit 62mph in under four seconds, top out at 200mph and record 100mpg at a constant 30mph, according to its makers - Trident Performance Vehicles. | 21/08/2008
Is this the fastest MINI in the world? At 650bhp from the 1.6-litre engine we certainly hope so. | 21/08/2008
The new MINI John Cooper Works has already claimed the title of Best Hot Hatch 2008, awarded by Auto Express, despite only having been ons ale for a month. | 21/08/2008
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been crowned Best Luxury Car at the Auto Express New Car Honours for the third consecutive year. | 21/08/2008
|18/08/2008
The new seven-seater Nissan Qashqai+2 will go on sale in mid-September, costing from £17,199.
|18/08/2008
Our third batch of Supercar exotica from the last decade comes in the futuristic form of the Lamborghini Reventon.
|18/08/2008
Peugeot has revised the 407 saloon, SW and coupe for 2009, with the new model going on sale in September with exterior and interior enhancements and new low-CO2 diesel engine.
|18/08/2008
New Dodge Journey 5+2 SUV Crossover targets families on its August launch, by adding a couple more seats, extra storage and rear conversation mirrors. All from £17K.
|18/08/2008
UK motorists risk custodial sentences for driving whilst distracted, as new powers to imprison drivers using mobiles and programming sat nav handed down to courts.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|28/03/2008
Volkswagen has been forced to issue a statement on the Polo singing dog advert after complaints that the dog was mistreated. VW says the animal was not harmed.
|16/10/2007
Top Gear in hot water again over smoking ban breach after Clarkson and May spark up Porsche ´911´ pipes.
|14/07/2008
If looks alone guaranteed success for any car, the Mazda RX-8 would be a sellout. The 1.3-litre rotary engine with 229bhp is a big plus too.
Search Motortorque:
France surrenders?