Lights, Kombi, action for Volkswagen film

Volkswagen is celebrating 60 years in NZ. Photo / Supplied

Celebration focuses on folk behind the Kiwi favourite

To celebrate 60 years operating in New Zealand, Volkswagen wants to make movie stars out of Kiwi-owned vehicles -- from Kombis used on OE trips to sporty Golfs.

VW New Zealand launched the project, The People's Film, at the recent Fieldays event, asking for stories and images of their products over the past 60 years.

"In our 60th year of Volkswagen in New Zealand it is important to celebrate why Volkswagen is so iconic," Volkswagen NZ general manager Tom Ruddenklau told Driven.

"Kiwis all around the world have many memories of Volkswagen, be it their first car that was a Beetle, the OE trip in a Kombi around Europe, their first experience of a Golf, and more recently the rise of the Amarok SUV, a modern day Volkswagen icon."

To attract VW customers, the company posted on its Facebook page at Fieldays that it was after: "Classics restored, oddities, and models of all ages and conditions. Family trips to the beach house, hunting trips with you and your mates, your first accident, your first trip around a race track in your GTI -- anything you've got.

"This project is as much about the people who drive our cars as it is about the cars themselves, so we're especially interested in the things you've done, the places you've been, and the fun you've had in your Volkswagen."

Already 150 customers have responded to the request with the cut-off date for submissions on July 6.

"The response has been mind-blowing," Ruddenklau said.

The company was after "photos, video, VHS, 8mm, cine?lm, slides, or home movies" with the chosen content to become part of the film.

The People's Film (thepeoplesfilm.co.nz) goes to air at the end of July.

Volkswagen NZ will also be hoping for double celebrations this year with improved numbers in new passenger and commercial vehicle sales.

Last year the company sat in eighth spot with combined figures of 5219 and by the end of May was already at 2273 sales.

The big performer for the company was the Golf -- with 1601 sold in 2013 and 882 registered by June 1 this year. The Amarok ranks No11 in the new commercial vehicle sales figures while VW New Zealand expect increased customer interest when the latest small Polo hatch is launched later this year.