Press Releases
Clear rules to protect employees
For the resumption of production at Volkswagen, health takes priority over speed. For this reason, company management and the General Works Council have laid down clear rules and measures for the protection of employees in a works agreement. Volkswagen HR Board Member Gunnar Kilian says: “We are taking comprehensive precautions so that our employees can work safely. We also appeal to each and every employee: continue to act in a disciplined way over Easter, keep your distance, stay at home and help to limit the spread of coronavirus. For Volkswagen, one thing is clear: the federal and state governments have our full support in their fight against coronavirus.” As regards the resumption of production, it has only been decided that a few units of Components, which have continued operation to some extent, will extend their operations to safeguard the supply of components to plants in China from the Tuesday after Easter. This will concern a total of 1,700 employees at the Brunswick, Kassel, Salzgitter, Chemnitz and Hanover Components plants. They will be informed by their line managers. Apart from these operations, production at the Components and vehicle plants continues to be suspended. Further details of the mode of operation are expected after Easter. The objective of the new works agreement is to take precautions against coronavirus at an early stage in order to prevent infections. Production processes are being optimized and consistent minimum distances and strict hygiene standards will apply in all areas. Where minimum distances of 1.5 meters are not possible, all employees will receive appropriate protective equipment.
Corona pandemic: Volkswagen donates one million euros for immediate aid and emergency relief in refugee camps
The Volkswagen Group is donating one million euros for immediate aid and emergency relief for refugees in Syria, Turkey and Greece menaced by the corona pandemic. The funds will be given to the German Red Cross (DRK), which is organizing and implementing support locally together with the national Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations.
Volkswagen Group safeguards customer mobility with supply of genuine parts
Even during the coronavirus crisis, the Volkswagen Group continues to ensure supplies of genuine parts. In Germany, more than 95 percent of the about 3,500 service stations remain open so that customers can stay mobile. Throughout the world, about 60 percent of the 25,000 service stations remain active. The Original Parts Center in Kassel ensures that genuine parts for repair work reach the workshop rapidly despite coronavirus. The order level is around one third of the normal volume. In these activities, the top priority is to protect the health of employees and suppliers at Kassel. At the Genuine Parts Center, comprehensive measures have been taken to ensure adequate distances between the employees concerned and compliance with the appropriate hygiene requirements. This also includes reducing the number of people working on logistics operations at any time by about one half. At the service stations themselves, health protection is also the top priority. Many businesses offer customers the possibility of handing over and collecting their vehicle without any direct contact with service personnel.
Flexible quick charging stations launch in China
Volkswagen Group Components and the start-up Shanghai DU-POWER New Energy Technical Co., Ltd. plan to work together to produce flexible quick charging stations in China. An agreement to this effect was signed by representatives from both companies in Suzhou, China. Series production of the flexible quick charging stations is currently scheduled to start in the second half of 2020. Establishing production with a local partner is a key step in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.
Volkswagen with virtual motor show for the first time
Following the cancellation of this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, the VW brand show stand can now be visited online. Starting today, visitors can experience all the new models of the brand for two weeks round the clock from their own homes at https://www.volkswagen.de/de/specials/geneva-2020.html. The 360° tour offers an interactive digital experience allowing visitors to immerse into the show. They can stroll across the booth, view vehicles from all sides and also change colors and wheel rim configurations using easy-to-use functions.
75 years ago: US troops liberate Volkswagen plant and city on Mittellandkanal
75 years ago, on April 11, 1945, US troops liberated the Volkswagen plant and the city then known as “Stadt des KdF-Wagens” which was later named Wolfsburg to the south of Mittellandkanal. At the Volkswagen plant, about 7,700 forced laborers were freed. Over the eight weeks that followed, the Americans made groundbreaking decisions for the future of the people, the city and the plant. The brief but marked intermezzo of US military rule laid the foundations for democracy, freedom and reconstruction in the region. In May, the plant was already producing vehicles – Kübelwagen for the U.S. Army, which were then called “Volkswagen Jeeps”. The American occupation ended at the end of June 1945 when the region became part of the British occupation zone.
Touareg V8 TDI with extra-low NOx emissions tested by Emission Analytics: 75 per cent below Euro 6 limit
Volkswagen has launched a new range of very clean diesel engines (TDI) on the market. The TDI engines are characterised by extremely low nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) and thus come in far below the Euro 6 NOx limit of 80 mg/km. The Touareg V8 TDI, generating 310 kW (421 PS), is among the first Volkswagen to feature an exhaust purification system that filters nitrogen oxides at this low level: it emits between just 10 and 20 mg/km. The NOx values were determined on the basis of RDE measurements (Real Driving Emissions) in actual road traffic by independent specialist of Emissions Analytics.
Coronavirus: Volkswagen uses 3D printing to produce face shields
In response to the corona crisis, the Volkswagen Group has started to produce face shield holders by 3D printing. This is part of a joint transnational initiative with Airbus and the 3D printing network “Mobility goes Additive”, which includes about 250 companies. The products developed by Airbus will be used in Spain and will be flown from Hamburg to Madrid by Airbus, next week. This cross-industrial initiative was launched in response to requests from the Spanish authorities, which will also distribute the products in the country. The aim is to make as many holders as possible by then. In addition, there are a number of other initiatives by Volkswagen Group brands to produce medical supplies.
CrossFit: The world’s most diverse workout meets all-round performance
Volkswagen R has a new brand ambassador: World-class athlete Sara Sigmundsdottir is now representing Volkswagen’s sporty brand around the world. The Icelandic CrossFit star authentically embodies values like performance and versatile abilities.
Albums
