HERNDON, Va. -

Volkswagen of America touted the half dozen new elements associated with  the completely redesigned website that the automaker launched on Monday. It’s all meant to augment the brand’s global digital business strategy to enhance the user experience in both shopping for and owning a VW.

The automaker noted the redesigned site is on a globally hosted platform with an entirely new content management system offering consumers:

—Interactive Vehicle Configurator: Improved product and feature information is geared to allow shoppers a more robust visual experience when designing a vehicle. The company pointed out a core element of the website can present realistic 3-D high-definition vehicles at your fingertips. Users looking to test drive a Volkswagen can locate the closest vehicle directly through the site using Google Maps.

—Social Shopping: The feature can provide visitors the chance to extend their experience into social networks after they’ve designed the vehicle they want. In addition, popular combination features from others can be automatically displayed, giving shoppers buying recommendations.

—The Great Comparison Tool: What the OEM contends is a first for the brand, users can compare Volkswagen models against all vehicles. The visual “At a Glance” feature can allow consumers to see a visual summary of key stats across all competitive models. Powered by Polk Data, VW believes the compare tool is accurate and robust, offering a better online shopping experience.

—Blogs: The site now contains an entirely new blog network that includes updated editorial content, meant to humanize the brand, increase familiarity and deepen connections with consumers. VW said the blog network can further extend the use of social media in the vehicle-buying experience.

—Navigation: User-friendly navigation is designed to make it easier for users to maneuver into key content areas of the website and explore all Volkswagen vehicles with detailed, dynamic, high-quality photos and specifications.

—Owners Portal: An owner-dedicated section of VW.com can offer a one-stop destination online where customers can get to know their Volkswagen with additional information on the functions of the vehicle, such as operating instructions on the radio navigation systems and Bluetooth connectivity. Future phases of the Owners Portal should allow the customer to personalize their site experience and manage their vehicle-related life with everything from booking service, to making a car payment, to buying accessories.

“The United States is the global leader when it comes to the Internet. That’s why we’re consciously beginning our digital business strategy in this market,” explained Luca de Meo, head of group marketing at Volkswagen.

“We intend to utilize the experience gathered in North American for the further rollout of the initiative worldwide,” de Meo continued. “This is a perfect example of how the global brand of Volkswagen makes targeted and intelligent use of its international know-how.”

Tim Ellis, vice president of marketing at Volkswagen elaborated on those points.

“The all-new VW.com is a platform that meets the needs of our customers by supporting the reality of customer control, desire for social shopping and ultimately the future of a mobile shopping experience,” Ellis insisted.

“With features including precise product presentation, high definition car configuration and competitive vehicle comparison, we’ve enhanced the user-experience and created an opportunity for consumers to interact more closely with the brand,” he concluded.