The Volkswagen Diesel Heritage Search is finally over after Volkswagen of America has located the Volks diesel with the highest mileage in the US. And the winner is a 1986 Jetta Turbo Diesel owned by Syl Schmid of Blue Rock, Ohio with over 562,000 miles traveled.

Volkswagen of America and Byers Imports has verified the authenticity of the incurred mileage of the winning Jetta. And according to the gathered fuel and mileage records presented by Schmid the Jetta frequently delivered fuel economy fifty miles per gallon.

And according to Steve Keyes, Volkswagen Public Relations Director, "Mr. Schmid has a story that is like so many of our diesel owners; he loves the longevity of the engine and fuel economy that his diesel Volkswagen has delivered these last twenty years. Throughout all of entries that we received for our Diesel Heritage Search, we found many VW owners who were passionate about their cars and the economic benefits of the diesel engine."

The owner Mr. Schmid has originally leased the Jetta for three years before finally deciding of purchasing the vehicle. Then after twenty years and over half a million miles he is still proud of his Jetta’s drivetrain and muffler.

Mr. Schmid will receive a Touareg V10 TDI to drive for six months. Volkswagen has started its Diesel Heritage Search last March 2007 and has attracted more than 200 entries for the highest mileage and oldest operating US diesel Volkswagen vehicles.

The 1977 Rabbit owned by Clint Wilson of Tehachapi, California was chosen as the oldest diesel Volkswagen.

Volkswagen starting from its introduction of the 1977 Rabbit which is the first Volkswagen diesel has sold around 815,000 diesel vehicles. Aside from the currently offered diesel Touareg V10 TDI, Volkswagen has also announced the arrival of the 2009 Jetta and Jetta SportWagen which is scheduled on later part of 2008. These new Jettas will be equipped with a Clean Diesel TDI engine option.