Press Releases
Volkswagen plans to use new 3D printing process in vehicle production in the years ahead
Volkswagen is pressing ahead with the use of innovative 3D printers in car production. For the first time, the newest process – known as binder jetting – is being used to manufacture components at the company’s main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany. Whereas conventional 3D printing uses a laser to build a component layer by layer from metallic powder, the binder jetting process uses an adhesive. The resulting metallic component is then heated and shaped. Using the binder jetting component reduces costs and increases productivity – for example, the components weigh only half as much as those made from sheet steel. Volkswagen is currently the only car maker using this 3D printing technology in the production process. “Despite the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re continuing to work on innovation,” says Christian Vollmer, member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Production and Logistics. “Together with our partners, we aim to make 3D printing even more efficient in the years ahead and suitable for production-line use.”
Volkswagen actively involved in generational discussions at Kultursymposium Weimar hosted by Goethe-Institut
For the third time, the Goethe-Institut is bringing leading personalities and innovative ideas from around the world together to discuss the pressing issues of our society. Voices from culture, science, politics and economics are set to debate generational issues in many areas of life in the upcoming digital edition.
Volkswagen’s Supervisory Board reaches agreement with Prof. Martin Winterkorn on EUR 11.2 million in compensation
The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG has reached an agreement with the former Chairman of the Board of Management, Prof. Martin Winterkorn, on compensation in excess of ten million euros in connection with the diesel issue. The agreement between the company and Prof. Winterkorn which was approved by the Supervisory Board last Saturday provides for an amount of EUR 11.2 million. The Supervisory Board also approved an agreement on an amount of EUR 4.1 million from the former member of the Group Board of Management and Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Rupert Stadler.
Volkswagen invests a further €500 million in sustainable battery activities with Northvolt AB
Volkswagen is participating, with a contribution of US$620 million (about €500 million), in a financing round of its Swedish battery partner Northvolt AB with a total volume of US$2.75 billion. The Group will thus maintain its stake in the company constant at about 20 percent. The funds are to be used for capacity expansion in the fields of production, recycling and research and development. Among other activities, Northvolt intends to expand the capacity of its Northvolt Ett gigafactory in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden from 40 GWh to 60 GWh per year, in order to meet higher demand from customers.
Volkswagen Group, BASF, Daimler AG and Fairphone start partnership for sustainable Lithium mining in Chile
Several companies have initiated a “Responsible Lithium Partnership” aiming to work towards responsible natural resource management, including lithium, in Chile’s Salar de Atacama. This cross-industry partnership is funded at its inception by Volkswagen Group, BASF, Daimler AG, and Fairphone. The partnership intends to foster a dialogue among local stakeholders, generating and synthesizing scientific facts and seeking solutions in a participatory manner.
Astypalea: Kick-off for transformation to smart, sustainable island
Astypalea is on course to become a smart, sustainable island. The first electric vehicles, including the first fully electric police car in Greece, were taken into service today in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess and Deputy Foreign Minister Kostas Fragogiannis. The first public and private charging points were also inaugurated. The event marked the launch of the transition to full electrification on Astypalea. In the coming years, the island wants to switch to smart sustainable mobility and completely modernizing its energy system. Volkswagen and the Greek government signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect last November.
A first for small cars: New Polo on the road with IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist partial automation
With the new Polo, one of the world’s first small cars capable of partly automated driving is now coming onto the market. The Volkswagen steers, brakes and accelerates automatically on request. This is made possible by the optional IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist. Volkswagen is consolidating its systems on the road to automated driving under the IQ.DRIVE umbrella brand. These technologies have up to now only been available in larger models such as the Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Arteon and Touareg. As a first in its class, the Polo now also permits partly automated driving across the entire speed range. Especially during motorway travel, IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist adds a truly noticeable level of comfort.
The new Tiguan Allspace – available to order now
Customers love the new Tiguan Allspace for its impressive 1,920 litres of storage and the option of carrying up to seven passengers. The long version of the best-selling Tiguan also stands out with its modified design, new operating and assistance systems, innovative new features like the interactive “IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights” and new touch-sensitive controls for the automatic air conditioning, which comes as standard. The Tiguan Allspace gives customers a choice between three equipment lines (Life, Elegance and R-Line), five engines (three TSI and two TDI engines), and front and four-wheel drive. Presale of the new Tiguan Allspace starts today from € 36,230.
Volkswagen launches sales offensive for the German market
Volkswagen intends to durably improve its good position in Germany in a strong competitive environment with a three-year boost program. Up to the end of 2023, the company will be investing a triple-digit million-euro figure in the expansion of digital and showroom sales in the German market. “Germany is our home market. We will be providing a further significant boost to sales here and will be making Germany a model for other markets, also with respect to digitalization,” says Klaus Zellmer, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen. “With ACCELERATE, we intend to make Volkswagen the most attractive brand for sustainable mobility. This also includes an excellent customer experience during the purchasing, leasing or servicing of a Volkswagen. We want to set standards in this area.”
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