All Press Releases
This section contains all current press releases on topics and news items concerning Volkswagen.
Powerful 320 PS Performance version of the successful SUV: new Tiguan R now available to order
Volkswagen is launching the most powerful Tiguan to date: the Tiguan R. With a power output of 235 kW (320 PS), the SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Featuring a newly developed all-wheel drive system, the Volkswagen with a top speed of 250 km/h fascinates with outstandingly agile and confident handling. The new Tiguan R combines the dynamic performance of a sports car with the variability of a Sport Utility Vehicle. It is now available to order. Price in Germany: 56,703.53 euros.
Well-balanced and sporty at the same time – the new ID.4 chassis
Nimble in the city, agile on country roads, relaxed on the highway: the new ID.4 from Volkswagen is an all-rounder that is effortless and easy to drive. Volkswagen has invested a great deal of know-how in the chassis of the E-SUV – in the mechanical components and the electronic control system.
Volkswagen engages in improving working conditions in artisanal cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo
As a responsible company, Volkswagen is actively engaging in improving artisanal cobalt mining conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as the living conditions for people in the surrounding communities. Cobalt is an important raw material for the production of electric vehicle batteries. Artisanal mining involves risks to the environment and people. Volkswagen has joined the “Cobalt for Development” initiative and is thus supporting efforts to minimize these risks.
Charismatic all-rounder with all-wheel drive: new Golf Alltrack now available to order
The Golf Alltrack is a crossover of Golf Variant and SUV. A new generation of the all-wheel-drive all-rounder is now being launched. It is based on the eighth, completely new Golf generation. Traction is delivered by most powerful turbocharged diesel engine (TDI) ever used in a Golf with an output of 147 kW (200 PS). The rugged all-terrain equipment includes unique bumpers, wheel arch extensions and side sills, engine skid plate as well as increased ground clearance. Including navigation system, prices in Germany start from 39,337,64 euros.
Production of electric drives begins in China
Volkswagen Group Components reinforces its position as a key supplier of central electric vehicle components for the brands and joint ventures of the Volkswagen Group in the most important market for electric mobility. With immediate effect, the Chinese components factory in Tianjin will be producing the APP 310 drive on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB). This component will be used in the Volkswagen ID.4 variants produced by the joint venture partners FAW (ID.4 CROZZ) and SAIC (ID.4 X). The Group’s future MEB models for China will also be supplied locally. The main factory for electric drives at Volkswagen Group Components in Kassel produces the APP 310 motor for current and future MEB models in Europe and North America.
Volkswagen Group raises investments in future technologies to EUR 73 billion
The Volkswagen Group is pressing ahead with its transformation into a digital mobility company. As decided in Planning Round 69, the Group will spend around EUR 73 billion on electrification, hybrid powertrains and digital technology over the next five years. This was announced following today’s Supervisory Board meeting. Investments in Capex and R&D for future technologies will be raised to 50 percent from 40 percent of the Group’s total investments of around EUR 150 billion. Investments in digitalization will double to EUR 27 billion by mid-decade, reflecting the Group’s strong focus on building up software capabilities. Approximately EUR 35 billion will be spent on battery-electric vehicles. A further approximately EUR 11 billion has been earmarked for the development of hybrid vehicles of existing models.
Car and smartphone merge into one: Touareg now parks by remote control
The Touareg now drives into and out of parking spaces fully automatically. Virtually by remote control – from outside the vehicle using a smartphone. With the new Park Assist with remote control assist system. The typical situation: a multi-storey car park at the airport, for example. Just before the flight is due to leave. Narrow parking spaces. And that means stopping the car in the driving lane, unloading the luggage from the luggage compartment, getting in again, manoeuvring the car into the tight space, and finally squeezing yourself out of the car. Stress. Park Assist with remote control now takes over this job in the Touareg. With no stress at all.
Fully electric, it just doesn't give up: positive half-time scorecard for the ID.3 Germany tour
How does a modern electric vehicle perform on long road trips? The record-setting driver from Mannheim, Rainer Zietlow, and his co-driver Dominic Brüner are now carrying out the road test on a two-month trip through Germany. They are testing the long-distance qualities of the new Volkswagen ID.3 as well as the country’s infrastructure on their marathon trip (www.id3-deutschlandtour.com). The two are driving a pre-production model of the ID.3 Pro S with a 77 kWh net battery capacity. The battery offers a range of up to 549 km in a WLTP cycle and will be brought to market in spring 2021. After more than 14,000 kilometres driven, the half-time scorecard paints a very positive picture: the maximum charging capacity of 125 kilowatts can be used from most of the more than 350 fast charging stations tested to date, offered by a variety of providers. Volkswagen’s We Charge payment system provides cross-brand access.
The new Golf R gets off to a flying start: world premiere of the most powerful series-production Golf of all times
Volkswagen is celebrating the world premiere of the new Golf R today. In Europe, pre-sales of the Golf flagship generating 235 kW (320 PS) already start tomorrow, Thursday, 5 November. The Golf R is traditionally the most powerful model of Volkswagen’s most successful product line of all times. Always with all-wheel drive, always highly dynamic, always with particularly exclusive design and equipment, always a technological benchmark of its class – the Golf class. And it’s no different this time round: the Golf R will be the first Volkswagen to launch with a new all-wheel drive system before the end of this year: 4MOTION with R-Performance Torque Vectoring. This intelligently networked system enables a new dimension of driving dynamics.
Volkswagen Group and Greece to create model island for climate-neutral mobility
The Volkswagen Group and Greece have agreed to establish a groundbreaking mobility system on the Mediterranean island of Astypalea. To that end, the current transport system on the island will transition to electric vehicles and renewable power generation. In the long run, Astypalea will become a model island for climate-neutral mobility. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed in Wolfsburg and Athen today by Konstantinos Fragogiannis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness, and Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group. New mobility services such as vehicle sharing or ridesharing will help reduce and optimize traffic. Energy will be primarily generated from local green power sources such as solar and wind. The project initially will run for six years.
The new Golf R – Countdown to world premiere has started
It’s the flagship model of the most successful Volkswagen of all times. Now the countdown to the world premiere of the new Golf R has started – the wait will finally be over on 4 November! Just one day later, presales of the new sports car will launch in Germany and Europe. Volkswagen is extending its range of sporty Golf models at high speed. The debuts of the GTI, GTI Clubsport, GTE and GTD are now followed by the dynamic flagship model of the eighth Golf generation: the new Golf R. Like all Golf models, the Golf R is also produced at the Wolfsburg plant, the home of the Golf.
Volkswagen brand recovers from Covid-19 slump in third quarter and confirms outlook
After the pandemic-related slump in the first half of the year, business performance at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand recovered noticeably in the period from July to September. With 1.5 million vehicles delivered worldwide, the core brand of the Volkswagen Group delivered almost as many vehicles to customers in the third quarter of 2020 as in the prior-year period (– 2.7 percent). In the period from January to September, however, deliveries still decreased by 18.6 percent. The gradual recovery is also reflected in the brand’s financial key performance indicators: Sales revenue amounted to EUR 47.2 billion after nine months, down 27.9 percent on the previous year. After the first six months of the year, a 35.3 percent drop had been recorded. With an operating result before special items of EUR 522 million, the brand was back in positive territory in the third quarter. The nine-month operating result before special items improved accordingly to EUR –1.0 billion (first six months: EUR –1.5 billion).
Volkswagen Group returns to profitability
The Volkswagen Group’s business was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in first nine months of 2020, but recovered noticeably in the third quarter. This means that the declines in deliveries, sales revenue and profit as of the end of September were significantly more moderate than at the half-year mark. The countermeasures initiated worldwide to cut costs, secure liquidity and decrease the funds tied up in working capital had as much of an impact as the continuing improvements in the situation in key sales markets. Deliveries to customers in the first nine months of 2020 fell by 18.7 percent year-on-year, to 6.5 (8.0) million vehicles. As a result, sales revenue, too, decreased by 16.7 percent to EUR 155.5 (186.6) billion. Thanks to a return to a clearly positive result in the third quarter, the operating result before special items amounted to EUR 2.4 (14.8) billion as of the end of September. The significant year-on-year decrease was primarily attributable to the decline in the sales volume due to the sharp fall in customer demand, especially in the second quarter. Other factors were negative effects of the fair value measurement of derivatives to which hedge accounting is not applied and exchange-rate effects. They were set against a non-cash gain on the contribution of Autonomous Intelligent Driving (AID) into the autonomous driving joint venture with Ford. Special items relating to diesel weighed on the operating profit with EUR –0.7 (–1.3) billion. Earnings before tax decreased to EUR 2.3 (14.6) billion, marking a clear return to positive territory.
Automotive Division: Net cash flow turns positive again, significant increase in net liquidity
TRATON and Hino start E-Mobility Joint Venture
TRATON SE (TRATON) and Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) have signed a joint venture agreement for e-mobility in order to plan and provide e-mobility products that will be based on the two companies’ strategic partnership to offer customers the highest value. TRATON and Hino will combine their unique strengths to consequently develop electric vehicles including battery electric vehicles (BEV), fuel cell vehicles (FCV), and relevant components as well as creating common EV platforms including software and interfaces. They will form a team of advanced specialists from both companies and launch activities in Södertälje (Sweden) and in a second step in Tokyo (Japan). TRATON and Hino will team up to shorten lead times for future e-mobility products with battery and fuel cell technology. The two companies are convinced that both technologies will be needed in the future.
Note to editors: Change at Volkswagen Communications
Change at Volkswagen Communications: Stefan Voswinkel (44) is to become Head of Product and Technology Communications of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand with effect from January 1, 2021. He succeeds Florian Urbitsch, who has left the company. In this function, Voswinkel will report to Robin Aschhoff, Head of Communications of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. Until the end of the year, Christoph Adomat, currently Head of Technology Communications, will manage Product Communications in addition to his other duties.
Now available with natural gas drive again: pre-sales of the new Golf TGI underway
The new Golf is now also available with an environmentally-friendly natural gas drive: the Golf TGI is equipped with a powerful 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 96 kW / 130 PS and three natural gas fuel tanks. The tanks are integrated into the underbody and permit a range of around 400 kilometres (WLTP) in pure natural gas mode. The engine of the quasi-monovalent drive system is powered primarily with CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), but can also run on petrol. A reduced-capacity petrol tank serves only as a reserve, but ensures additional range.
Top marks for the ID.3: five stars in the Euro NCAP test
A dream start with five stars: In the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) safety test, the ID.31) achieved the highest score possible. The auditors gave the first model to be based on the new modular electric drive matrix (MEB) good ratings in all criteria – for the protection of adult occupants, children and vulnerable road users as well as for its safety assist systems.
Happy birthday K70! The quiet game changer turns 50
“Love the VW K70 – because it opens up a new VW era”this was the advertising slogan used for the launch of the Volkswagen K 70 50 years ago. With a water-cooled front engine, front-wheel drive and modern styling, the mid-sized sedan actually did usher in a new era at Volkswagen.
TRATON and Navistar agreement in principle
TRATON SE ("TRATON") and the US-American truck manufacturer Navistar International Corporation ("Navistar"), in which TRATON already holds a stake of 16.8 %, have today reached agreement in principle that TRATON will acquire by merger all shares in Navistar not already held by TRATON, at a price of USD 44.50 per Navistar share.
Volkswagen Group invests in automation for Emden, Hanover and Chattanooga plants
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands are working flat out on the transformation to the e-mobility era and the conversion of plants to e-mobility. The Volkswagen brand has now ordered more than 1,400 robots from Japanese manufacturer FANUC for its production facilities at Chattanooga (USA) and Emden. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has ordered a further 800 robots for its Hanover plant from ABB of Switzerland. The robots are to be mainly used for body production and battery assembly. The three plants are currently being prepared for the production of electric cars using highly advanced facilities. From 2022, the ID.4 is to be produced at Chattanooga (USA) and Emden, while the model known under the show car name of ID. BUZZ is to roll off the production line at Hanover.
The new Golf GTI Clubsport – World premiere of the 300 PS flagship GTI model
The new Golf Mk8 is picking up even more speed. Following on from the GTI, GTE and GTD, Volkswagen is now presenting the next highlight from its sporty family of Golf models: the new Golf GTI Clubsport. This vehicle marks the next chapter in the brand’s tradition of high-performance GTIs: the first Golf GTI Clubsport was launched in 2016 on the 40th anniversary of the iconic sports car. It is now followed by the new Golf GTI Clubsport, a modern compact sports car that not only impresses due to its high engine power but also thanks to a new high in driving dynamics.
Electrified SUV flagship models: presales of the new Touareg eHybrid and Touareg R have now started
Volkswagen is ramping up its hybrid offensive. The Touareg is now also available to order in two different plug-in hybrid versions. Both variants are characterised by an electric range of up to 47 kilometres (WLTP) and low average consumptions. The SUV range with electric motor and petrol engine starts with the new Touareg eHybrid with system power of 280 kW (381 PS)1). This version is designed for a high level of travel comfort and can be configured in the two equipment lines Atmosphere and Elegance. Price in Germany: from 72,378 euros. Those who prefer a much sportier setup and sporty equipment to match will choose the Touareg R3. With system power of 340 kW (462 PS), it is the most powerful model in the product line and of the brand. The Touareg R is available in Germany from 84,660 euros.
A double win for Volkswagen: New Golf and ID.3 take victory in their categories at the German Car of the Year Awards
From a German perspective, what is the best car in 2021? To find this out, 18 respected motoring journalists from across Germany meet once a year in Bad Dürkheim, a town in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. This year, the German Car of the Year jury voted in favour of Volkswagen in not one, but two categories: the Golf Mk 8 and the fully electric ID.3 each secured the title in their respective classes.
European CEO Alliance emphasizes cross-industry collaboration to fight climate change
Yesterday, Dr. Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, and CEOs from 11 other European companies joined forces for a zero-carbon future and a more resilient Europe. The European Union is committed to net zero emissions by 2050, which is in line with the CEO Alliance companies’ own decarbonization strategies. All members support the Paris 2050 goals, the EU Green Deal and the ambition to raise EU climate targets. They represent different industries, generate a combined €600 billion in annual revenues and employ 1.7 million people. The CEO Alliance channels their decarbonization efforts: it connects sectors and strategies, identifies potential for collaboration, and fosters projects and investments for a sustainable economy and society.
Volkswagen shareholders formally approve actions of Board of Management and Supervisory Board and adopt resolution on dividend for 2019
The Annual General Meeting of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft took place today online for the first time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The shareholders voted by a majority of 99.98 percent to approve the recommendation of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board to pay the same dividend as last year of 4.80 EUR per ordinary share and 4.86 EUR per preferred share for fiscal year 2019. As in 2018, approximately 2.4 billion EUR will therefore be distributed to the shareholders. The resolution on the formal approval of the members of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board who held office in 2019 was passed by 94.33 percent of the shareholders represented at the Annual General Meeting.
Annual General Meeting: Volkswagen confirms outlook for 2020 and underscores future investments
The Volkswagen Group today confirmed its outlook for 2020 and underscored the planned future investments despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “In both 2019 and 2020, we took significant steps towards becoming a leading provider of electric, digital mobility, achieving important milestones”, Group CEO Herbert Diess said at the virtual Annual General Meeting of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. “The transformation of the Group is not being held back by corona, but accelerated by it.” The Group plans to invest €33 billion in e-mobility by 2024 and aims to become the market leader in battery-electric vehicles. A further important success factor is the new VW.OS operating system that is being developed by Car.Software.Org and will be used for the first time in Audi’s Artemis project. €14 billion alone will be invested in building IT expertise and in autonomous driving by 2024. “The fact that the car will develop into a fully networked mobility device in the next ten years will be much more far-reaching than the transformation of propulsion”, Diess said. Volkswagen expects the upward trend to continue for the remainder of the year and confirmed the outlook for a positive operating result for 2020.
Car.Software Org of Volkswagen acquires camera software business area from HELLA
The Car.Software Org of the Volkswagen Group is acquiring the front camera software business area of software specialist HELLA Aglaia Mobile Vision GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA, including the associated testing and validation departments. Through this transaction, the software company intends to expand its competence in the field of image processing and to forge ahead with the development of automated driving functions for all Volkswagen Group brands. In the course of the acquisition, about half of the employees of HELLA Aglaia are to be transferred to the Car.Software Org. The acquisition, which is still subject to approval by the anti-trust authorities, is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2021.
Start of the 20,000-kilometre marathon: testing the long-distance qualities of the new ID.3
Electromobility is gaining ground in Germany. Not only the number of battery-driven electric models offered and their registrations are growing, infrastructure is expanding as well. The long-distant record-breaking driver from Mannheim, Rainer Zietlow, and his co-driver Dominic Brüner are now carrying out the ultimate road test. Over the course of a unique two-month marathon, they will be stopping at around 650 quick-charging stations with more than 60 kW charging capacity. They will be testing the long-distance qualities of the new Volkswagen ID.3 as well as the infrastructure in Germany. They are driving a pre-production model of the ID.3 Pro S with a 77kWh net battery energy capacity. The battery offers a range of up to 549 km in a WLTP cycle and will be brought to market in spring 2021.
Annual General Meeting 2020 Volkswagen AG
September 28, 2020 – The Volkswagen AG annual general meeting 2020 will be
broadcasted live on Wednesday, September 30th, 2020, from 08:00 am (UTC) / 10:00 am (CEST).
Volkswagen and Uber launch pilot project with electric vehicles in Berlin
Yesterday, Volkswagen together with the intermediation platform Uber, launched a pilot project for the utilization of electric vehicles within the sustainable ride hailing service “Uber Green”. Within the framework of a virtual event, Uber hire car partners informed themselves about the background and possibilities of the cooperation. With the e-Golf, they now have a locally zero-emission alternative from the Volkswagen model portfolio available in Berlin. The objective of the pilot project is to use a number of year-old e-Golf vehicles which may run into three digits. Volkswagen has already been using the e-Golf successfully for its own car sharing service We Share since 2018.
Volkswagen do Brasil signs agreement on historical reappraisal of the military regime
Volkswagen do Brasil signed a Conduct Adjustment Agreement (CAA) today, as part of the historical reappraisal of its history during the military dictatorship regime in Brazil. With this agreement Volkswagen aims to promote the commemoration and establishment of the truth regarding human rights violations during that time.
The new ID.4 – Volkswagen starts presales of its first fully electric SUV
The new ID.4 has arrived – with the versatility of an SUV and the sustainability of an electric vehicle. Presales of Volkswagen’s new, electric SUV are simultaneously launching in Germany and further European countries only one day after its world premiere. There are two preconfigured edition models to choose from: the ID.4 1ST and ID.4 1ST Max. Both generate an output of 150 kW (204 PS), feature a battery with 77 kWh and very generous equipment. The ID.4 is launching in the world’s largest market segment, the compact SUV class.
The new Volkswagen ID.4 – World premiere of the fully electrically driven SUV
Presenting the ID.4, which is celebrating its digital world premiere. This is Volkswagen’s first fully electrically driven SUV generating zero local emissions and is produced with a carbon-neutral balance. It will be launching into the world’s largest market segment, the compact SUV class.
Future strategy of TRATON SE outlined at Annual General Meeting
CEO Matthias Gründler outlined TRATON SE’s future corporate strategy during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Munich. Gründler spelled out four priorities during the virtual meeting of shareholders. TRATON’s brands are to gain more individual responsibility as the company moves forward with its efforts to achieve a return on sales of 9 % throughout the cycle of the commercial vehicle industry.
Science Based Targets Initiative confirms Volkswagen Group’s climate protection targets
The Volkswagen Group has received confirmation from the independent Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) that the Group’s climate targets fulfil the conditions for limiting global warming to “well below 2 degrees Celsius”. SBTi supporting organisations include the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi evaluates only genuine CO2 reductions over a period of at least ten years - without taking into consideration any CO2-compensating climate projects. Volkswagen is planning to reduce CO2 emissions during production and use of its vehicles by 30 per cent of 2018 levels by 2030. Oliver Blume, Porsche CEO and in his role as Volkswagen AG Group Management Board Member for Production and the Environment stressed: “We are determined as a Group to be climate neutral by 2050. To that end we have now set ourselves an ambitious interim target. The key levers are our e-mobility offensive and switching our plants over to green electricity.”
“Light is the new chrome”: Light design of the new Volkswagen ID.4
The ID.4 boasts a powerful and sporty, but simultaneously also likeable char-acter. The exterior lighting plays a major part in this: it forms an integral part of the electric SUV’s design concept and stages the vehicle in a new way.
Start of presales of the new Golf Variant
Volkswagen is launching presales of the new Golf Variant just a few days after its world premiere. The compact estate is now more digital, more dynamic and more versatile than ever before: with more space in the interior, it offers plenty of room for all the family or even large pieces of sports and recreational equipment. The extensive standard equipment and numerous assist systems ensure you have all the comfort you need. For the first time, the wide range of drive options also includes engines with mild hybrid and twin-dosing technology. Three engine variants will be available in the presales phase; prices start from 28,566.21 euros (for the Golf Variant 2.0 TDI with 85 kW/115 PS).
Volkswagen successfully places first green bonds with a volume of € 2 billion
Today, the Volkswagen Group successfully placed its first green bonds with a volume of € 2 billion in the market. The benchmark bonds, which are denominated in euros, have terms of 8 and 12 years and coupons of 0.875% and 1.250% respectively. Investors showed considerable interest, including both international and specialized green bond investors. This is the first issuance based on the Green Finance Framework (GFF) for sustainability-oriented financial instruments presented in March. The proceeds of the bonds will be used in a targeted way to fund the modular electric drive matrix (MEB and the new BEV models ID.3 and ID.4. Annual reporting on the use of the proceeds and the environmental effects achieved will create transparency for investors.
New Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand
Wolfsburg – Klaus Zellmer, previously President & CEO of Porsche Cars North America Inc., becomes Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand effective September 15, 2020. He succeeds Jürgen Stackmann who will leave the Volkswagen Group.
Volkswagen AG successfully completes Independent Compliance Monitorship under Agreements with U.S. Authorities
Volkswagen AG today announced that the Independent Compliance Monitor, Larry D. Thompson, certified that Volkswagen has met its commitment under its Plea Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to design and implement a compliance program that will prevent and detect violations of anti-fraud and environmental laws. Certification covers Volkswagen AG and its subsidiaries and affiliates other than Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America, which were not part of the Monitorship.
Volkswagen and Siemens donate 5 million euros for immediate aid to refugees in Moria
Siemens AG and the Volkswagen Group are jointly donating €5 million for immediate humanitarian aid to displaced people in Moria and Greece. The situation for people has worsened dramatically since fire ravaged the refugee camp in Moria on Lesbos. They have been given makeshift shelter on ships belonging to the Greek Navy and in provisional tents. The funds will be given to the German Red Cross (DRK) to support the comprehensive aid initiatives of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for displaced people in Greece.
TRATON increases offer for common shares of Navistar to USD 43.00
Today TRATON SE (“TRATON”), one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, increased its offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of Navistar International Corporation (“Navistar”) (NYSE: NAV) not already owned by TRATON to USD 43.00 per share in cash. The increased offer represents a 23% increase from the USD 35.00 per Navistar share that TRATON offered at the end of January. TRATON currently holds 16.8% of Navistar’s outstanding common shares.
E-mobility forerunner Volkswagen ensures greater transparency in procurement of battery raw materials
As a forerunner of e-mobility, the Volkswagen Group is ensuring greater transparency and responsibility in its raw material supply chains for batteries. To that end, the company has entered a strategic partnership with RCS Global, an agency specializing in supply chain analysis. The focus is on auditing suppliers for conformance with human rights, safe working conditions and environmental protection along the supply chain all the way back to the mines.
Volkswagen extends cooperation with independent Sustainability Council
The Volkswagen Group is extending cooperation with its independent Sustainability Council for a further two years. Volkswagen is thus continuing to vigorously pursue its sustainability targets with the focus on becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Furthermore, Rebecca Harms, former Member of the European Parliament, and Magdalena Gerger, CEO and President of the Swedish enterprise Systembolaget AB, have become new members of the Council. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, commented: “Sustainability is a key factor for the success of our company. Volkswagen will only confidently stride into the future if we undergo a transformation. The independent Sustainability Council acquires even greater significance for our Group as we make this transition. We want to intensify our dialog – a debate that also embraces criticism. With its independent expertise, the Sustainability Council is a driver and a corrective for our strategy.“
More space, more Golf: world premiere of the new Golf Variant and Golf Alltrack
World premiere for the new Golf Variant: the compact estate is now even more spacious, dynamic and digital than ever before. The greater amounts of available space, comprehensive standard features and new drive types with mild hybrid and twin dosing technology represent pioneering characteristics. The new Golf Alltrack as the all-wheel drive Golf Variant with SUV genes is also making its debut. In Germany pre-sales for the Golf Variant will start tomorrow, 10 September, while further European countries will gradually follow.
Volkswagen sets course for green electricity to power all freight carried on Deutsche Bahn
Volkswagen Group Logistics is switching all Deutsche Bahn carriage of materials and vehicles within Germany to green electricity by the start of 2021. This will cut over 26,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year compared to the conventional electricity mix. 95 per cent of all such transportation is already powered by green electricity. In addition even more freight is set to go by rail: Volkswagen aims to increase vehicle transportation by train from 53 per cent today up to 60 per cent by 2022. “With this green electricity offensive we are making an important contribution towards Group decarbonisation”, says Thomas Zernechel, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics. For this purpose, Deutsche Bahn feeds in electricity from wind farms and hydropower plants.
“Freedom on the outside, free space on the inside”: the interior of the new ID.4
Ample space, purist design, high-effect lighting and sustainable upholstery ma-terials: the ID.4’s interior is a modern feel-good lounge that opens up the new character of Volkswagen brand’s first fully electric SUV to all the senses.
Now available to order: the new Golf GTI
Digital, networked, sharper design and more active driving dynamics than ever before: with the new Golf GTI, Volkswagen again significantly raises the bar in the sporty compact class. The result is a Golf GTI that combines maximum dynamics with maximum comfort. The new GTI is available to order now. Prices in Germany start from 37,607.38 euros (Golf GTI with 7-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox).
“As if shaped by the wind itself”: The exterior design of the new ID.4
Superior power, packaged in organic forms: the ID.4 is the first all-electric SUV from Volkswagen. Its exterior design clearly shows the dawn of the new era: it combines a powerful expression with flowing, organic forms and excellent aero-dynamic qualities.
Range record: ID.3 makes the journey from Zwickau to Switzerland on a single charge
The new Volkswagen ID.3 has set its first range record: The electric car covered the 531 kilometers from Zwickau to Schaffhausen (Switzerland) on a single charge. Officially, the model has a range of up to 420 kilometers (WLTP). This mark was topped by more than 100 kilometers – an increase of 26 percent. The vehicle was a series production ID.3 1st Pro Performance with a 58 kWh battery built at the Zwickau electric car factory. The route to Switzerland consisted entirely of public roads and highways, passing cities such as Bayreuth and Ulm. The record-breaking vehicle was driven by “hypermiler” Felix Egolf, a native of Switzerland. The term “hypermiling” originated in the USA and refers to driving a series production vehicle with techniques that maximize efficiency and minimize consumption.
Locally emission-free in the city, ample range for journeys: start of sales for the Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE
Volkswagen is electrifying the eighth generation of the Golf with two new plug-in hybrid versions: the Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE. This means that no less than two Golf models are now available as plug-in hybrid models for the first time. The Golf eHybrid is designed for maximum comfort and delivers an output of 150 kW (204 PS). Price in Germany: from 39,781.18 euros. With an output of 180 kW (245 PS), the Golf GTE offers outstandingly sporty performance, combining both power and efficiency. Base price: 41,667.40 euros. Sales of both models are starting now. By the end of the year, a total of eight different Golf and Golf Variant models will be available with hybrid drive – the Golf will therefore be the brand’s product line with the greatest level of hybridisation.
Volkswagen steps up electric offensive: Series production of ID.4 begins in Zwickau
Volkswagen’s electric offensive continues to gather speed: Series production of the brand’s first all-electric SUV, the ID.4, gets underway in Zwickau. The world premiere of the ID.4 follows at the end of September. Volkswagen is thus underscoring its ambition to become the world market leader in e-mobility. To this end, the Group is investing some €33 billion in the period to 2024, €11 billion of which have been earmarked for the Volkswagen brand. The brand expects to produce 1.5 million electric cars in 2025.
Volkswagen helps South Africa in the battle against Covid-19
Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has donated protective equipment to clinic employees to the provincial health ministry to better equip health care facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the company and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) set up a laboratory for molecular virology within 18 days and optimized the processes there to increase test capacities.
Volkswagen opens vehicle assembly facility in Ghana
Volkswagen is expanding its footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa with the official opening of a vehicle assembly facility in Accra, Ghana. With this engagement, Ghana becomes the fifth Volkswagen vehicle assembly location in Sub-Saharan Africa; the other locations are in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda.
Universal Motors Limited, a licensed Volkswagen importer since 2005, has been awarded the assembly contract for the initial phase of the project. The Universal Motors facility in Accra has an installed capacity to assembly 5, 000 units per annum. The models to be assembled using Semi Knocked Down (SKD) assembly kits are Tiguan, Teramont, Passat, Polo and Amarok.
TRATON GROUP sees first signs of business recovery in third quarter
The TRATON GROUP recorded lower unit sales, sales revenue, and earnings in the first six months of 2020 in the wake of the expected market downturn in Europe and the significant impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Unit sales recorded by the three brands Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus from January to June contracted by 37% to 77,700 (H1 2019: 123,300) vehicles. At 38%, the decline in unit sales of trucks (including the MAN TGE van) to 70,500 (H1 2019: 113,100) vehicles was more significant than the 29% decrease in unit sales of buses to 7,200 (H1 2019: 10,200) vehicles. The first six months of 2019 were marked by pull-forward effects from the introduction of the digital tachograph and the potential for a no-deal Brexit, making the prior-period comparative basis exceptionally strong.
Volkswagen brand with effective crisis management in the first half of the year
Business at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand was significantly impacted by the global Covid-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. However, effective countermeasures reduced the impact of the crisis. Through strict cost management the brand substantially reduced its general overhead costs, expenditures for research and development and capex year-on-year. In addition, production was strictly oriented toward customer demand, leading to a considerable reduction in inventories compared with the prior-year period. Deliveries to customers by the core brand of the Volkswagen Group were down 26.7 percent in the first half of 2020 to 2.2 million vehicles. Sales revenue decreased by approximately EUR 16 billion (–35.3 percent) to around EUR 29 billion. As a consequence, the Volkswagen brand’s operating result before special items fell to EUR – 1.5 billion from an operating profit of EUR 2.3 billion in the previous year.
Volkswagen Group measures reduce the effects of Covid-19 in the first half of the year
Business at the Volkswagen Group and its brands was strongly affected by the Covid-19 pan-demic in the first half of 2020. Countermeasures initiated at an early stage to reduce costs and safeguard liquidity were successful and therefore reduced the effects of the crisis. Due to production consistently oriented toward customer demand, the Group achieved a strin-gent inventory management and thus a significant decrease in funds tied up in working capital. Overall, net liquidity in the Automotive Division could be risen by EUR 0.9 billion compared with the first quarter of 2020 to EUR 18.7 billion, also due to the issuance of hy-brid notes amounting to EUR 3.0 billion. Deliveries to customers fell year-on-year by 27.4 percent to 3.9 (5.4) million vehicles. As a result, sales revenue decreased by 23.2 percent to EUR 96.1 (125.2) billion. Operating result before special items amounted to EUR –0.8 (10.0) billion. The main reason for this development was lower unit sales caused by the sharp fall in customer demand. The fair value measurement of derivatives to which hedge accounting is not applied (in particular commodity hedges) and exchange rate effects of EUR –0.9 billion are virtually offset by a non-cash gain of EUR 0.8 billion on the contribu-tion of Autonomous Intelligent Driving (AID) into the autonomous driving joint venture with Ford. Special items relating to the diesel issue weighed on the operating profit with EUR –0.7 (–1.0) billion. Earnings before tax decreased to EUR – 1.4 (9.6) billion.
€3.75 bn debut syndicated revolving credit facility signed by TRATON SE
TRATON SE has signed its inaugural syndicated revolving credit facility in a total amount of €3.75 bn. The facility has a maturity of 3 years and can be extended twice for one year each (“3+1+1” years). The facility amount is provided by a consortium of 21 banks, thereby defining TRATON GROUP’s core relationship banks. The facility can be drawn in different currencies and serves for general corporate purposes and liquidity back-up to the Group, providing TRATON with additional financial flexibility at favorable terms.
Volkswagen supports nonprofit “42Wolfsburg” programming school
Volkswagen is supporting the construction and operation of a free programming school in Wolfsburg. The association called “Verein 42Wolfsburg e.V.” is setting up an IT hotbed called “42Wolfsburg” in cooperation with the private, nonprofit École 42 based in France. It is planned to open the coding school in Markthalle Wolfsburg in early 2021. Volkswagen will be donating €3.7 million in the first year, and a further two million euros annually in the following years. Next year, up to 600 students are already expected to be training in Wolfsburg’s Markthalle under an innovative learning concept with no teachers or formal classes. They will learn their skills under a peer-learning concept.
Voluntary tests available - Tests for Volkswagen employees with symptoms of corona
Volkswagen is to offer its workforce voluntary corona tests and will be setting up walk-through containers to collect samples at its German locations. The company is thus doing its best to prevent the effects of a renewed outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) and making a further contribution toward protecting against the spread of the virus. “For Volkswagen, protecting the health of our colleagues continues to have the highest priority. In the event of a possible second wave of corona, we want to be as best prepared as possible with this testing capability”, Board Member for Human Resources, Gunnar Kilian, said. “The aim is to identify cases of infection very early and systematically prevent the virus from spreading any further. That is fundamental to protecting the health of the workforce and avoiding the threat of another lockdown.” Currently, the infection status at Volkswagen AG is at a good level.
Volkswagen brings additional partners to Industrial Cloud
Volkswagen, together with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and integration partner Siemens, is opening up the Industrial Cloud to other manufacturing and technology companies. New partner companies will be able to connect with Volkswagen plants and to contribute their own software applications for optimizing production processes to the Industrial Cloud. This way, a rapidly growing range of industrial software applications for Volkswagen’s plants will be created. Each location will be able to obtain applications for its machinery, tools and equipment direct from the Industrial Cloud to optimize production (app store approach). The Volkswagen Group expects significant efficiency and productivity gains at its plants. The partner companies will be able to scale and further develop their applications in one of the world’s largest automobile production networks. This will also enable them to optimize their own processes and products. As a first step, eleven pioneering international companies, ABB, ASCon Systems, BearingPoint, Celonis, Dürr, GROB-WERKE, MHP, NavVis, SYNAOS, Teradata and WAGO, will be joining the Industrial Cloud.
Volkswagen honors top suppliers
For the 18th time, Volkswagen has presented the Volkswagen Group Award to its top suppliers throughout the world. A total of eight companies in six categories reflecting future-oriented topics were honored. This year, the awards were presented to the winners by mail instead of in person as is usually the case. Frank Witter, CFO of the Volkswagen Group and interim Board Member with responsibility for Procurement: “We would like to thank all the award-winning companies for their outstanding dedication. Our tremendous success with the transformation of the Volkswagen Group towards e-mobility is also due to close cooperation with strong, innovative suppliers.”
New Production Board Member for Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand
Dr. Christian Vollmer, formerly Executive Vice-President for Production and Logistics of the SEAT brand, has been appointed Production Board Member of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand effective August 1, 2020. In this function, he succeeds Dr. Andreas Tostmann, who has been appointed new CEO of MAN Truck & Bus SE with effect from July 16.
We Charge: Volkswagen’s new charging service has over 150,000 public charging points
Volkswagen is rolling out its own charging service to coincide with the market launch of the ID. family: With We Charge, customers will be able to charge their electric vehicles at over 150,000 public charging points all over Europe. The We Charge charging card gives them easy access to these charging points. Customers have a choice of three individual tariffs with features such as exclusive conditions for the IONITY high-power charging network. We Charge can be booked and used from mid-August. Volkswagen is thus rounding off its “charging ecosystem” that makes charging electric vehicles as convenient as possible.
Markus Duesmann takes charge of Car.Software organization at the Volkswagen Group
The central development of a software platform for the Volkswagen Group is picking up speed. As part of his Group-wide responsibility for research and development, the CEO of Audi, Markus Duesmann, has also taken charge of software. With its own operating system for all Volkswagen Group models, an automotive data cloud and a new electronics architecture, the cross-brand Car.Software organization set itself a tight schedule for the coming years in early July. Its new CEO is to be Dirk Hilgenberg, most recently Senior Vice President Manufacturing Engineering at the BMW Group. The organizational focus of the Car.Software organization is to be at the IN Campus high-tech hub in Ingolstadt.
SITECH and Brose planning to set up a global system supplier for complete seats
Volkswagen AG and the automotive supplier Brose are planning to create a joint venture devoted to complete seats, seat structures and seat components. The Volkswagen subsidiary SITECH will become part of the joint venture. Brose will hold a 50 percent stake in the company. Volkswagen AG and the Brose Group will each own half of the company. Representatives of both companies signed a memorandum of understanding covering the joint venture today in Coburg.
Emission-free mobility for all: sales of ID.3 start on July 20
Four weeks after the start of ordering for the limited ID.3 1ST for pre-bookers, Volkswagen is opening the ordering system to the public on July 20, 2020. Customers in many European countries will be able to choose from seven pre-configured ID.3 models at dealerships and to order the appropriate charging equipment at the same time. Buyers will benefit from attractive concessions for charging via WeCharge for up to 3 years. All seven ID.3 models will be eligible for the maximum state subsidy of €9,480 granted as an environmental bonus in Germany. Subsidies will also be available for the ID.3 in many other European countries.
Summer highlight 2020: pre-sales of the new Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake started
Volkswagen is launching the new Arteon on the market and, as a first, offering a second body version at the same time: the new Arteon Shooting Brake. It redefines the concept of an estate with an emphatically sporty rear end. Pre-sales of both models starts now. As a fastback with coupé-style rear, Volkswagen has set the starting price for the Arteon at 43,524.37 euros; prices for the Shooting Brake start at 44,387.06 euros. The official launch will take place at the beginning of November. Towards the end of the year, both Arteon models will also be available with a plug-in hybrid drive and as R models with a Performance TSI engine.
Volkswagen donates one million dollars for reforestation in Australia
Following the devastating bush fires at the beginning of the year, Volkswagen is now do-nating one million Australian dollars (about 617,000 euros) to "Bush Heritage Australia" for bush fire and reforestation projects in Australia. The "One Million Trees Project" in the Eurardy Nature Reserve in Western Australia will receive 250,000 dollars and a project to restore 400 hectares in the Scottsdale Reserve in New South Wales will receive 750,000 dollars.
Volkswagen strengthens Bochum software location
Die Volkswagen Infotainment GmbH is planning a new development center at the Bochum technology campus Mark 51°7. The subsidiary of Volkswagen AG specializing in software development and vehicle connectivity intends to group its specialists together at a central facility. The new building is to lay the foundation for further personnel growth at the Bochum location. In the presence of the Mayor of the City of Bochum, Thomas Eiskirch, and the Chief Financial Officer of the Car.Software organization in the Volkswagen Group, Frank Rösler, the Managing Directors of Volkswagen Infotainment, Bernhard Krausse and Tobias Nadjib, announced the decision on the project today. Construction is already to start in the fall of 2020.
Reorganization of TRATON’s Board of Management – Andreas Renschler to hand over management to Matthias Gründler
TRATON SE is reorganizing its Board of Management team. With effect of July 15, 2020, Andreas Renschler will be handing over the chair of the Board of Management to Matthias Gründler, who was CFO of the commercial vehicle manufacturer with the brands MAN, Scania and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus until May 2018. Dr. Andreas Tostmann, currently a member of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand with responsibility for Production and Logistics, will furthermore be taking over from Joachim Drees, who will be leaving the TRATON Board of Management by best mutual consent likewise with effect as of July 15, 2020. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Carsten Intra, currently the Board of Management member responsible for HR, will take over as Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This was announced by the company on Tuesday following a meeting of the Supervisory Board in Munich.
Andreas Renschler leaving Group Board of Management of Volkswagen AG
Andreas Renschler will be leaving the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and the Board of Management of TRATON SE with effect as of July 15th 2020. Mr. Renschler is leaving the company by best mutual consent. This was announced by the company on Tuesday in Wolfsburg. Mr. Renschler’s successor as Chairman of the Board of Management of TRATON will be Matthias Gründler, who was Chief Financial Officer of the company until May 2018.
Volkswagen Group Security supports WEISSER RING
Volkswagen Group Security is providing two Passat Variant GTE vehicles to assist the charitable association in its work supporting victims of crime. Volkswagen is also lending the organization a Volkswagen T6 and the historic Volkswagen T2 for a nationwide information tour of Germany.
Volkswagen completes final audit under Third Partial Consent Decrees with U.S. authorities
Volkswagen AG today announced the results of the third and final audit prepared by the company’s Independent Compliance Auditor, Larry D. Thompson. The report did not find any new violations and states that Volkswagen has met its obligations under the Third Partial Consent Decrees with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and California Attorney General.
Emden plant embarks on new era of e-mobility
Even in the coronavirus crisis, the Volkswagen brand is consistently moving ahead with the changeover of its plants to e-mobility in line with its plans. The conversion of the Emden plant has already started and the first electric cars are to roll off the production line there from 2022. Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of
the Volkswagen brand, says: “With the conversion of our plant at Emden into a production location for electric vehicles, Volkswagen is forcing the pace of system change. All in all, the company will invest about €1 billion in the transformation of the factory. Emden will be developed into a cornerstone of our electric strategy.” Andreas Tostmann, Board Member responsible for Production and Logistics, said: “We are transforming Emden into one of the most advanced plants in our industry.” General Works Council Chairman Bernd Osterloh emphasized: “Our workforce in Emden has special ties with the plant. This has been confirmed by the recent personnel transfers. I am convinced that the Passat, Arteon and ID.4 will be a tremendous success for the team. This is a strong product mix for a strong location.”
The new Tiguan is available to order now
Volkswagen is launching the presales of the new Tiguan straight after its world premiere. Volkswagen brand’s best-seller will now not only feature a sharper exterior design, the vehicle will also come with a host of technical innovations: The different powertrain options have an array of sustainable innovations. New control and assist systems guarantee even more convenience and the Tiguan brings a wide range of online-based services and functions on board thanks to the next generation of Infotainment system (MIB3). Four engine and gearbox combinations are initially available to order for the new Tiguan, the entry-model price for the Tiguan (1.5 l TSI engine generating 96 kW / 130 PS with 6-speed manual gearbox) is €28,205.55 in Germany.
Major donation by Volkswagen complete
All the medical supplies which the Volkswagen Group is donating within the framework of its coronavirus support have now arrived in Germany. The final consignment has been shipped from China to Germany. All in all, the donation includes almost 10 million face masks, 6 million pairs of disposable gloves, 300,000 sets of protective clothing, 200,000 protective goggles, 10,000 infrared thermometers and 250,000 liters of disinfectants.
Change in Board of Management of Volkswagen Financial Services AG
Effective August 1, 2020, Dr. Alexandra Baum-Ceisig has been appointed Member of the Board Management of FS AG responsible for HR & Organization. She succeeds Christiane Hesse, who is retiring for age reasons.
Computer Vision to make production within the Volkswagen Group even more efficient
In production, the Volkswagen Group is continuously moving ahead with future-oriented technologies and digitalization. “Industrial Computer Vision” image recognition and processing technology is to help improve productivity in production by 30 percent from 2016 to 2025. “The use of this technology offers considerable potential for making our production plants even more efficient. By 2024, we already expect cost reductions running into the double digit million euro range throughout the group,” says Gerd Walker, Head of Volkswagen Group Production. “The focus is on applications which we can develop at one location and then roll out throughout the Group.” The first two Computer Vision solutions from Porsche and Audi are currently being prepared for Group-wide rollout and connection to the Volkswagen Industrial Cloud.
Electrified and energised: world premiere of the new Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is Europe’s most successful Sports Utility Vehicle and one of the top-selling SUVs in the world. More than six million units have been produced to date. In 2019, the Tiguan was again the most popular model of the brand and entire Volkswagen Group, with around 911,000 units produced. Volkswagen is now showcasing a comprehensive update of the best-selling vehicle as part of its world premiere. Ralf Brandstätter who has today been appointed the new CEO of the Volkswagen brand: “We launched our global SUV strategy with the second-generation Tiguan in 2016. It served as the basis for many successful models worldwide. Volkswagen is now taking the next step by electrifying, digitalising and networking the new Tiguan. This will equip the compact SUV to handle the challenges of the modern era.”
Note to editors: Changes at Volkswagen Communications
Changes at Volkswagen Communications: Nicole Mommsen takes over as Head of Corporate Communications for the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen brand effective August 1, 2020. She succeeds Dr. Marc Langendorf, who left the company at his own request on May 1, 2020. Nicole Mommsen reports to Peik von Bestenbostel, Head of Volkswagen Group Communications. Communications is also realigning its management structure in light of the recent changes in the Volkswagen brand Board of Management. The new Head of Communications at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand effective July 1, 2020, is Robin Aschhoff. In this function, he reports to the CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, Ralf Brandstätter.
Volkswagen ends short-time working in Germany
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Volkswagen Group Components brands plan to discontinue short-time working at their German plants until further notice from July 1, 2020. This concerns the plants at Brunswick, Chemnitz, Emden, Hanover, Kassel, Osnabrück, Salzgitter and Wolfsburg. Short-time working at Dresden and Zwickau had already come to an end some time ago. Thanks to the opening of dealerships and the sales promotion offerings, the order situation has recently developed in a positive way. “However, it remains extremely difficult to predict further developments. We will therefore keep a close eye on the situation in order to react in line with demand,” said Arne Meiswinkel, Head of Group HR Policy and Steering.
Volkswagen provides journalists with facts, figures and data concerning the 77th German Cup Final
On Saturday, the German DFB Cup Final match between FC Bayern Munich and Bayer 04 Leverkusen will take place at the Berlin Olympic Stadium. As an official partner of this traditional tournament, as well as the German Football Association (DFB), Volkswagen will provide sports journalists with a comprehensive data kit as in previous years. This is now available for download at www.volkswagen-newsroom.de/en in both German and English.
TRATON CEO Andreas Renschler sees increasing flexibility and focus as positive repercussions of the coronavirus crisis
At the “Summer of Purpose” in Munich, Andreas Renschler spoke about the key lessons the commercial vehicle manufacturer with the Scania, MAN, and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus brands had taken from the coronavirus crisis to date. “The experience from the coronavirus pandemic will strengthen our resilience as a society because we’ve become more flexible and even more focused. The same goes for the TRATON GROUP,” said Andreas Renschler, CEO of TRATON and member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, at the event, the idea for which came from the Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. “The lockdown has clearly demonstrated the speed with which we can adapt when we need to,” added Renschler.
Transformation continuing apace: Zwickau car factory to produce only electric models in future
The last model with a combustion engine left the assembly line today at the Zwickau car factory. The seventh generation Golf R Estate with 2.0-litre petrol engine in Oryx White Pearl Effect was produced for a customer in Germany. From today on, only electric models of Volkswagen and in future also of the sister brands Audi and Seat will be produced in Zwickau. The leap into the modern automobile age has been a long one: since 1904, cars with combustion engines have been built in Zwickau - initially for many years, including Horch models, and in GDR times the Trabant came off the assembly line here. In May 1990, Volkswagen started production at its plant in western Saxony. Over the course of the past 30 years, exactly 6,049,207 Volkswagen cars of the models Polo, Golf, Golf Estate, Passat Saloon and Passat Variant have been produced in Zwickau.
One becomes two: world premiere of the new Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake
One model series, two versions! Volkswagen is presenting the new Arteon in a world premiere and is unveiling a second version – the new Arteon Shooting Brake – at the same time. This model is a completely new interpretation of the estate concept. “Volkswagen will launch 34 new models this year. There has never been such an extensive model initiative in the history of the brand,“ says Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer und designated CEO of the Volkswagen Pkw brand. “The Arteon Shooting Brake extends our model range in the important midsize-segment. It will set standards in its class with its dynamic design, high functionality and modern technologies.“
Volkswagen hands over first phase of Covid-19 temporary medical facility
Seven weeks after the initial announcement of the company’s plans to provide a temporary medical facility for Covid-19 patients, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) today handed over the first phase of this project to the Eastern Cape Department of Health.
Stress test for everyday suitability: company employees in Saxony begin testing fleet of 150 ID.3
For selected employees at Volkswagen Sachsen, the e-mobility of tomorrow begins today: They will be testing the all-electric Volkswagen ID.3 for everyday usability over a period of several weeks – before delivery officially starts in early September. A total of 150 ID.3 built in Zwickau have been reserved for employees at the three plants in Saxony for everyday testing under real conditions to analyze anonymized data on the usage and driving behavior of the ID.3. Over the coming months, this will provide Volkswagen with a steady stream of additional information from hundreds of thousands of kilometers travelled.
First-time investment grade credit ratings assigned to TRATON SE
Following TRATON’s successful IPO in June 2019, TRATON SE began preparations with Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and S&P Global Ratings (S&P) during H2 2019 in order to set up inaugural issuer credit ratings. Post recent updates to the rating agencies reflecting estimated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, TRATON has decided to publish the ratings to the financial community.
First overseas car freighter with low-emission LNG propulsion in service for Volkswagen Group
Premiere in Emden: For the first time, vehicles from Europe will be transported from Europe to North and Central America on a car freighter powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). On Tuesday evening the SIEM CONFUCIUS with more than 4,800 vehicles for North America leaves Emden for Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico. The LNG drive reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 30 percent, soot particles by up to 60 percent and sulphur oxide emissions by up to 100 percent.
All Volkswagen plants back to production with effect from today
Today, production resumes at the Puebla plant in Mexico. All 16 plants of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand throughout the world have therefore returned to production. Andreas Tostmann, Member of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand Board of Management responsible for Production and Logistics, said: “We have succeeded in resuming production with priority on maximum health protection. Not a single part has been missing in production. Thank you very much to our team – and also to our suppliers and logistics contractors.” For the European plants of the brand alone, Volkswagen purchases about 100,000 different parts from its suppliers.
Volkswagen increases stake in QuantumScape
The Volkswagen Group is increasing its stake in QuantumScape and making an additional investment of up to US$200 million in the US battery specialist. The goal is to drive forward the joint development of solid-state battery technology. In future, solid-state batteries are expected to significantly increase range and shorten charging times further. “We are making technological progress with our partner QuantumScape. The additional investment will effectively strengthen and accelerate our joint development work”, said Thomas Schmall, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components, which has end-to-end responsibility for batteries. The Volkswagen Group and QuantumScape have also been collaborating in a joint venture to enable industrial-level production of solid-state batteries since 2018.
Only at Volkswagen: visitors can help build the e-Golf in the Transparent Factory in Dresden
As of today, visitors of Volkswagen's Transparent Factory in Dresden have the opportunity to get even closer to the e-Golf during production. With the new Mach-Mit production experience, they can accompany the vehicles along the production line for a while. Under the expert guidance of Volkswagen employees, they can help out at up to five different stations - for example, when attaching the e-Golf logo. Further experience points include the connection of the powertrain and body ("marriage"), the installation of the tail lights on the tailgate and the fitting of the radiator and radiator grille front with the brand logo. It is planned to offer the experience package from 2021 on also for the ID.3, which will then be produced in Dresden.
Wallbox for everyone: Volkswagen rolls out ID. Charger
Volkswagen has started sale of the ID. Charger for quick and easy home charging for electric vehicles. The wallbox can be ordered online or from Volkswagen dealers in eight European countries. The first boxes were delivered to customers recently. At an introductory price of €399, the ID. Charger offers an excellent price-performance ratio. It was developed with the ID.3 and the ID. family in mind, but can also be used to charge all other electric cars with a Type 2 connector. The new Volkswagen wallbox is part of a complete ID.3 package designed by Volkswagen to make the switch to an electric car as simple and convenient as possible.
Volkswagen Partnership realises Katharina Grosse exhibition at Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin
Katharina Grosse is internationally ranked as one of the most renowned artists from Germany. In the last weeks she has created a vast painting with her signature powerful colors for the interior and exterior space of the Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin.
Volkswagen takes action in response to criticism of social media clip
In response to the rightly criticized Internet clip to promote the Golf 8, the company has decided to take a number of actions. This is to ensure that the production and publication of inappropriate content will be prevented in future.
Ford, Volkswagen Sign Agreements for Joint Projects On Commercial Vehicles, Electrification, Autonomous Driving
Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen AG today signed agreements that expand their global alliance to meet rapidly evolving needs of their respective customers in Europe and other regions by leveraging complementary strengths in midsize pickup trucks and com-mercial and electric vehicles.
ID.3 1st deliveries begin in early September
The final timetable for the start of Volkswagen’s ID. family has been set: Binding orders for the 30,000 models making up the limited 1st Edition of the ID. 3 can be placed from June 17 in most European countries. As a token of thanks for their loyalty to the brand, Volkswagen is offering all pre-bookers wishing to take possession of their ID.3 1st as quickly as possible membership the 1st Mover Club. Delivery of the ID.3 1st to “First Movers” begins in early September.
Supervisory Board accepts apology of Dr. Herbert Diess
At yesterday’s Supervisory Board meeting, which focused on personnel matters, the Su-pervisory Board and Dr. Herbert Diess also discussed statements of Dr. Diess at an internal event. Dr. Diess formally apologised for these statements towards the members of the Supervisory Board, declaring that these statements were inappropriate and wrong. The members of the Supervisory Board accepted the apology of Dr. Diess, and will continue to support him in his work.
Dr. Stefan Sommer is leaving Volkswagen
Dr. Stefan Sommer will be leaving the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft on 30 June 2020.