The next time you're at your local diner and you need some ketchup to add flavor to your cheeseburger, don't be surprised if the waitress gives you a Volkswagen->ke94.

The German auto giant is coming out with a tasty new product at the Techno Classica Essen and it's got nothing to do with a new car model. Instead, they're going to wow the world's largest classic car show in Germany with ketchup. No you won't see the latest Touareg->ke321, Beetle->ke318, or Golf->ke164; just a flavorful condiment.

The Volkswagen Classic Ketchup, which features an old Volkswagen Beetle on the front, was originally created by Kraft to supposedly complement the taste of VW's curry sausage, a delicacy that's served to VW employees at their prodution facility in Wolfsburg.

If you're surprised that Volkswagen actually has a ketchup line, don't be, because they've been producing it since 1997 and in 2009, they sold about 425,000 of these bad boys all over the world.

VW is selling one bottle of the ketchup for €3 and will only come out with about 1,000 pieces for the Techno Classica Essen.

For an auto brand that's considered one of the largest in the world, they're still trying to make a quick buck - or three - even if it means selling condiments to add a zing to your bratwurst.

Press Release after the jump

Latest Craze: World Premiere of Volkswagen Classic Ketchup

New Volkswagen Classic Ketchup debuts at the Techno Classica

Visitors can get limited-edition ketchup at the Techno Classica

It's well known that Volkswagen builds bestsellers. Automotive bestsellers. A less well known fact is that successful culinary recipes are advancing to become bestsellers in the Volkswagen World. Number 1 in this area is the coveted Volkswagen Ketchup. Back in the 1970s, it was developed with the ketchup specialist Kraft to complement the taste of the legendary Volkswagen curry sausage. Yes, it too is a bestseller - at first it was only popular in the Volkswagen plant at Wolfsburg, but today it has long become part of the overall Volkswagen scene. Now, at the Techno Classica 2010 we are finally bringing together those things that belong together: Volkswagen Ketchup and the classic scene. Because the oldtimer and youngtimer specialists at Volkswagen Classic are introducing the new "Volkswagen Classic Ketchup" to the market in a world premiere in Essen. With a distinctive taste, it is initially limited to 1,000 bottles. They have their own label. And it shows - clearly - a Beetle (from the 1950s). So, "Volkswagen Classic Ketchup" will be a souvenir of the culinary type; at the Techno Classica it can be purchased at a price of 3.00 Euros.

In addition, Volkswagen will be offering the new ketchup at future classic events. Those visiting Wolfsburg can of course also purchase it - at the Volkswagen Shop at Plant Gate 17 (near the Wolfsburg train station).

Volkswagen spiced ketchup - bottled since 1997

The career of Volkswagen Ketchup began, as mentioned, back in the 1970s. Volkswagen was looking for a ketchup that would harmonise especially well with its own curry sausage production. So, its consistency has a thicker "viscosity" than conventional ketchup; in addition, its taste was tuned to the taste of Volkswagen curry sausage with spices that remain a strict trade secret even today. And with this sausage, a perfect taste unfolds. Volkswagen spiced ketchup has been offered in bottles since 1997.

Proving that the new Volkswagen Classic Ketchup is anything but a late April Fool's Day joke, are the statistics on how much Volkswagen spiced ketchup is enjoyed. In 1997, Volkswagen launched its ketchup with an annual volume of 20,000 bottles. From that point on, volumes rose year by year. In 2009, over 425,000 (!) bottles were sold. 100,000 bottles have already been sold in the first ten weeks of 2010.

That leaves one question unanswered: How do Volkswagen Spiced Ketchup and Volkswagen Classic Ketchup differ in taste? Let us answer that with another question: How does a first generation Golf GTI differ from a sixth generation Golf GTI in handling and design? The answer: Give it a try!