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The Volkswagen Group is attempting to expand its market-setting pace into the world of electric vehicles. As the second-largest automotive producer on the planet and with 9 plug-in models already in production, who is to say where the Volkswagen Group will stop.  As Tesla continues their exploration of the electric car world, they have expressed interest in increasing sales from 51,000 sales this year to 500,000 in 2018 and 1,000,000 sales in 2020.  The Volkswagen Group is already on pace to sell 10 million units this year.  VW's presence and potential in the electric vehicle market cannot be overlooked or easily dismissed. Recently, VW has hinted at further developing their MEB platform, a chassis that allows the car batteries to be placed in the center of the car's floor.  This would potentially allow up to 310 miles of driving before requiring a recharge. To meet this increase in demand for batteries, VW has considered building its own battery factory, costing north of $11 billion, to combat the "Gigafactory" established by Tesla. In reality, VW presence in the electric vehicle market is still relatively small.  VW is set to produce around 12,100 e-Golfs and 13,400 Golf GTE,  and a total of 100,000 electric vehicle unites by the end of the year. VW has the potential and the vision to quickly change the electric vehicle market as we know it. http://www.hybridcars.com/can-volkswagen-reinvent-itself-with-many-more-electrified-cars/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4LifiYMpmY

Help us build awareness and show support for Rare Disease Day on Monday, February 29th. Rare Disease Day takes place the last day of February each year and it is a day dedicated to bringing widespread recognition of the challenges faced by people living with rare diseases. What is a Rare Disease? In the United States, any disease that affects fewer than 200,000 people is considered rare. There are nearly 7,000 rare diseases impacting nearly 30 million Americans -- that's about 1 in every 10 people. Challenges that all patients and families affected by rare diseases share: Devastating medical problems & symptoms Difficulty getting a clear diagnosis Limited availability of information on their condition Limited or no treatment options Feeling alone or isolated There are over 6,000 Rare Diseases and for most there is no cure or approved treatments. Show your support by liking the Rare Disease Day Facebook page and following the Twitter feed where we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences — because together we can make a difference. Learn more about Rare Disease Day at www.rarediseaseday.us Below is the official global video for Rare Disease Day 2016: Make the voice of rare diseases heard!

Ingredients: 2 pounds cubed beef stew meat 3  tablespoons vegetable oil 4 cubed beef bouillon, crumbled 4 cups water 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed 4 carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces 4 stalks celery, cut in 1 inch pieces 1 large onion, chopped 2 teaspoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons cold water Directions: In a large pot or dutch oven, cook beef in oil over medium heat until brown. Dissolve bouillon in water and pour into pot. Stir in rosemary, parsley and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Stir potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion into the pot. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 teaspoons cold water and stir into stew. Cover and simmer 1 hour more.

Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef 2 onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoon dried oregano 4 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid Directions: Combine ground beef, onion, and garlic in large stockpot. Cook and stir over medium heat until beef is brown. Drain. Stir in chili powder, salt, oregano, tomatoes, and tomato sauce; break up tomatoes while stirring. Heat to boiling, reduce heat to simmer, and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Stir in beans. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes; stir occasionally.

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 leeks, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped into 1/2-inch pieces 7 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth (best quality such as Swanson) 2 bay leaves 1 sprig fresh thyme, plus more for garnish if desired 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup heavy cream Chives, finely chopped (optional) Directions: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large soup pot. Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until soft and wilted, about 10 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary so as not to brown. Add the potatoes, stock, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper to pot and bring to a boil. Cover and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are very soft. Fish out the thyme sprig and bay leaves, then purée the soup with a hand-held immersion blender until smooth. (Alternatively, use a standard blender to purée the soup in batches; see note.) Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If soup is too thin, simmer until thickened. If it's too thick, add water or stock to thin it out. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Note: If using a standard blender to purée the soup: be sure not to fill the jar more than halfway; leave the hole in the lid open and cover loosely with a dishtowel to allow the heat to escape; and pour blended soup into a clean pot.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter 1 onion, chopped 1 (16 ounce) cans chicken broth 1 (1pound) loaf processed cheese food, cubed 2 cups milk 1 tablespoon garlic powder 2/3 cup cornstarch 1 cup water Directions: In a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat, and stir in cheese cubes until melted. Mix in milk and garlic powder. In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into water until dissolved. Stir into soup; cook, stirring frequently, until thick.

Ingredients: 2 medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), cut into 1/4-inch dice (2 cups) 2 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 cup) 2 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 cup) 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups whole milk 1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (14 fl oz) 1 (12-oz) bottle ale such as Bass 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 lb extra-sharp Cheddar (preferably English; rind removed if necessary), grated (4 cups) 4 bacon slices (3 1/2 oz total), cooked and crumbled Directions: Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating water, then lift out leeks and drain in a colander. Cook leeks, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaf in butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderately low and sprinkle flour over vegetables, then cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Add milk, broth, and beer in a stream, whisking, then simmer, whisking occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add cheese by handfuls, stirring constantly, and cook until cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes (do not boil). Discard bay leaf. Serve sprinkled with bacon.

Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon minced bacon (about 1/2 ounce) 1 Spanish onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour 5 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned 1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes (with liquid), roughly chopped 3 parsley sprigs 3 fresh thyme sprigs 1 bay leaf 1 cup heavy cream 1 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Directions: Heat the butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until crisp and most of the fat has rendered, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Lower the heat to medium, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Pour in the broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the pot. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. When the soup base is cool, remove and discard the herb bundle. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Using a sieve over a large bowl, strain the tomato puree. Return the puree to the pot and reheat over medium heat. Whisk the heavy cream and salt into the soup and season with pepper to taste. Divide among warm soup bowls, garnish with the crispy bacon, and serve immediately.

This month is National Blood Donor Month and every January we help promote a cause that saves millions of lives each year, The American Red Cross. Make a blood donation this month and Shearer Volkswagen will award you: 10% off your service bill* or $500 discount on your Volkswagen vehicle purchase ( New or Used)* Just bring in your donation registration sheet with the bar code and date on it for verification to receive discount. Blood cannot be manufactured - it can only come from generous donors. Facts about blood needs: Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints. The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs. More than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. Benefits of Donating: It feels great to donate! You get free juice and delicious cookies. It's something you can spare –most people have blood to spare... yet, there is still not enough to go around. You will help ensure blood is on the shelf when needed –most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do. You will be someone's hero –in fact, you could help save more than one life with just one donation. Blood Drives Near You *Must present donation registration at time of purchase. Blood donation must take place during the month of January 2016. Discount does not apply to prior purchases. Offer only valid in the month of January, 2016. Other restrictions may apply. See Service & Sales Department for more information!

The holidays are quickly approaching. Here are some last minute stocking stuffer ideas your friends and family will love. Plus they are all under $10. 1. Faded Water Bottle MSRP: $8.95 2. Rising Blue Nail Polish Show you have true blue spirit with this VW Rising Blue Nail Polish. .27 fl oz. Keep out of reach of Children. (Suggested use for 13 and older). Keep away from heat and flame. Made in the USA. MSRP: $5.00 3. Multi Purpose Money Clip Multi Purpose Money Clip is compact with dual function. The clip holds paper currency and credit cards. Features a 2.5" blade that includes a slide safety function to keep the blade in place. 2.5"H x 0.5"L. Volkswagen word lasered on one side. MSRP: $6.95 4. Cookie Cutters Classic Beetle / T1 Bus Baking cookies promises to be an extra special experience for Volkswagen fans. Our genuine cookie cutters shaped like the classic Beetle and Bus are sure to make your treats as fun as possible. We have included a recipe on the back of the packaging to get you started. Material: Aluminum. Measures approx 3.5" long x 1.25" high. MSRP: $6.95 5. Safety Light Armband Just because you're on foot doesn't mean you can't represent your favorite means of transportation: your VW! Our (Safety Light Armband) is a great accessory to keep you seen while you walk, run, bike, etc. Blue. Expands up to 16". Velcro® closure. MSRP: $7.95 6. GTI Pocket Can Cooler Enjoy a refreshing drink and keep it cool with the GTI Pocket Can Cooler. This can cooler features a functional pocket for you to store whatever you may need while showing off your favorite brand. Red with plaid GTI Jacky print pocket. Neoprene. GTI screen printed on opposite side of pocket. Fast screenprinted on bottom of can cooler. MSRP: $3.95 7. Big & Tall Mug Our sleek Big & Tall Mug will shine in the morning with its silver VW logo. This mug features a glossy, two-tone finish with a wide integrated handle. Black. Screenprinted logo. 20 oz. Hand wash only. Microwave safe. MSRP: $9.95 8. Vintage VW Calendar Flip through the pages of this calendar to see Vintage Volkswagen's with this exclusive collection of cars from yesteryear. Measures 12" x 16.5" open. 2016. MSRP: $5.95 9. Color Change Sunglasses Draw attention with our exciting, new Color Change Sunglasses. When exposed to sunlight, the color of the sunglasses transforms. They feature dark, ultraviolet protective lenses with a UV 400 rating that will protect your eyes from the bright sun. MSRP: $5.95 10. T1 Bulli Camper Magnets Show your love for the history of Volkswagen. These VW T1 Bus silhouettes features three different vehicle designs. MSRP: $9.95 View Other Stocking Stuffer Items

How to Enter: “Like” our Facebook page, if you haven't already, at www.facebook.com/shearervw Upload your fall foliage photo to our Wall including the location of here the picture was taken Make sure your friends “Like” Shearer Volkswagen and vote for your photo by "Liking" the photo The picture with the most votes by October 23rd, 2015 at 5pm wins. Winner will receive the following: Their photo featured as our social media header images for the month of November $100 Shutterfly Gift Card Free Service Oil & Filter Change with Tire Rotation* 11"x 14" canvas photo print Dates: Begins Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015 Ends Friday, October 23rd, 2015 at 5pm   * Valid only at Shearer Volkswagen. Offer applies to gas vehicles only. Up to 5 qts. Excludes all Volkswagen Touareg Models. Coupon must be presented at time of write-up. One coupon per customer, per visit. Not to be used to reduce outstanding debt. No cash value. Not retroactive. Void where prohibited by law. Expires February 2016.

Show off your pet and enter to win up to $200! How to Enter: “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shearervw Upload your pet’s photo to our Wall include your pet’s name and age Make sure your friends “Like” Shearer Volkswagen and vote for your pet by "Liking" the photo The picture with the most votes by June 30th, 2015 at 5pm wins a $200 gift card to PetSmart and a $1 per “like” donation to a local pet shelter from Shearer Volkswagen. If you do not have a Facebook account please email the picture or bring your picture to the office and we will gladly put your pet’s picture on! Prizes: 1st - $200 Gift Card to PetSmart & $1 per like Donation to local pet shelter 2nd - $100 Gift Card to PetSmart Dates: Begins Thursday, May 7th , 2015 Ends Tuesday, June 30th, 2015 at 5pm View Contest Entries