Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced in March that its Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) will be standard equipment on every 2009 model year Volkswagen. By offering ESP as a standard feature, Volkswagen is the first non-luxury manufacturer to include an electronic stabilization system at no additional cost on every vehicle it sells well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s deadline requiring all 2012 model year vehicles to have such systems.
Volkswagen’s ESP system uses a number of electronic vehicle controls to make the cars safer and help the driver maintain control of the vehicle during dynamic driving conditions. The ESP system works in conjunction with the antilock braking system (ABS), Anti-slip Regulation (ASR), components of the Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) system and additional sensors. ESP has been available on all Volkswagens in the United States for several years.