All Press Releases
This section contains all current press releases on topics and news items concerning Volkswagen.
Volkswagen is accelerating transformation into software-driven mobility provider
Volkswagen is accelerating its transformation into a software-driven mobility provider. By rolling out the ACCELERATE strategy that it has just unveiled, the company will systematically prepare for the profound changes in the automotive industry in good time. Just as Volkswagen resolutely led the way with its global electric offensive, now it is also accelerating the other big issues of the future: integration of software into the vehicle and the digital customer experience will become crucial core competencies. In implementing data-based business models, the company is seeking to attract new groups of customers and tap additional sources of income. Volkswagen also will make autonomous driving available to many people before the end of the decade. “E-mobility was just the beginning: the real disruption has yet to come. With our strategy we will ACCELERATE towards the digital future,” said Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen. “In the coming years, we will change Volkswagen as never before.”
Project Trinity: With high range, extremely short charging times and revolutionary production, the sedan will launch in 2026
Volkswagen is giving a first design preview of Project Trinity: The electrically powered sedan is to be built in Wolfsburg from 2026 and will set new standards in terms of range, charging speed and digitization – and will be able to drive highly automated according to Level 4.
Volkswagen strives for digital leadership – the ID. Family will be launched with regular “Over-the-Air“ updates in 2021
Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 models in Europe can now receive new functions and in-depth technical updates via W-LAN or mobile network.The customer's vehicle always remains at the cutting edge of digital developments with the so-called "Over-the-Air" updates. The software version ID.2.1, which establishes the technical prerequisites for "Over-the-Air" updates, is automatically included with all new ID. models produced since calendar week 8.
Dr. Arno Antlitz succeeds Frank Witter as Group CFO from April 1, 2021
Dr. Arno Antlitz, currently member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Finance and Legal Affairs, is to succeed Frank Witter as the Group Board of Management member responsible for Finance at the earlier date of April 1, 2021. The Supervisory Board already announced the change last December. As is known, Witter’s contract expires at his own request at the end of June 2021, an earlier changeover was already intended in December. Witter will continue to serve the company in an advisory capacity until then to ensure the best possible transition. He will present the Group’s annual financial statements at the Annual Media Conference.
Data-driven innovations to combat climate change: Volkswagen and Microsoft Deutschland choose the most innovative sustainability project
The 10toGO thinkathon hosted by Volkswagen AG and Microsoft Deutschland has been won by the Pina team from Munich, which will receive funding of €100,000 for its sustainable forestry project. Microsoft and Volkswagen will also support the project with digital infrastructure and expert advice. As part of their joint 10toGO initiative, Volkswagen AG and Microsoft Deutschland aim to provide help in kick-starting sustainable, data-driven innovations that address selected areas of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles moves ahead with Autonomous Driving R&D for Mobility as a Service
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is consistently and rapidly advancing the development and implementation of autonomous driving. “With the confirmation of the group’s supervisory board for our Autonomous Driving R&D program, we are setting the course for the future of mobility. Autonomous, electric driving will make an important contribution to urban mobility and road safety. Our vehicles are the logical first choice to apply such systems to", explains Carsten Intra, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, after today's Supervisory Board meeting of the Volkswagen Group.
Celebrating the birthday of an icon: Volkswagen launches the exclusive Golf GTI Clubsport 45 onto the market
In the summer of 1976, Volkswagen launched a distinctively sporty Golf onto the market: the GTI. At that time no one at Volkswagen had any idea that the Golf GTI would eventually become the world’s most successful compact sports car. But that is exactly what happened – from production of the 5,000 vehicles that were originally planned to well in excess of 2.3 million today. Now Volkswagen is marking the 45th birthday of this iconic car with an anniversary model: the Golf GTI Clubsport 45 – an exclusive edition of the 221 kW/300 PS Golf GTI Clubsport. Extensive individualisation makes the Clubsport 45 a ready-made collector’s item, even as new. First presales will begin in selected European countries on 1 March. Price in Germany: from 47,790 euros.
Volkswagen Group closes 2020 stronger than expected and accelerates transformation
The Volkswagen Group closed fiscal year 2020 stronger than expected despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Important strategic steps accelerated the Group’s transformation into a tech company at the same time. The Group’s effective crisis management, the rapid recovery of its largest single market China and particularly the more stable premium and financial services business were key to the strong performance and successful containment of the pandemic effects. Sales revenue amounted to EUR 222.9 billion (–11.8 percent), outperforming sales volumes (–16.4 percent). Operating profit before special items (diesel) reached a solid level of EUR 10.6 billion (–45.0 percent) despite the pandemic. The operating return on sales before special items stood at 4.8 (7.6) percent. The robust business model and rigorous working capital management produced a strong net cash flow of EUR 6.4 billion (–41.3 percent) in the Automotive Division. The net liquidity of the Automotive Division could be lifted by 25.9 percent to a very solid EUR 26.8 billion. The Board of Management and Supervisory Board are proposing an unchanged dividend of EUR 4.80 per ordinary share and EUR 4.86 per preferred share. This would take the payout ratio of 29.0 percent close to the strategic target level of 30 percent. Earnings per ordinary share were EUR 16.60 (26.60) and earnings per preferred share were EUR 16.66 (26.66).
New app for the current Golf: Football fans can always stay on the ball with “We Score”
Wouldn’t it be great to never again miss a goal scored by your beloved football team – even when you’re driving? This dream scenario for many football fans is now a reality in all new Golf from the 2020 model year onwards: The free “We Score” app delivers live football updates into the vehicle’s cockpit! Users can pre-set three clubs and one national team, and follow their favourites in all competitions. Along with live scores – which football fans will recognise from smartphone apps – standings and football news are also displayed in the app. All this information can also be read out using the “text-to-speech” function.
Volkswagen Group is officially reinstated as a participant of the UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact has confirmed the reinstatement of the Volkswagen Group as a participant. After a five-year break, the Group thereby returns to the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. The main grounds for this decision was the Volkswagen Group’s completely rebuilt compliance and integrity policy as a result of the successfully concluded monitorship supervised by the US Department of Justice. The Group’s ambitious climate protection program was also welcomed positively. By 2025, the Volkswagen Group plans to cut its CO2 emissions over the life cycle of its passenger car portfolio by 30 percent compared to 2015 and aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. In 2016 Volkswagen also appointed an independent Sustainability Council.
Volkswagen Group teams up with Microsoft to accelerate the development of automated driving
Volkswagen Group further strengthens its capabilities in the development of automated driving (AD) solutions. The Group’s software company Car.Software Organisation will collaborate with Microsoft to build a cloud-based Automated Driving Platform (ADP) on Microsoft Azure and leverage its compute and data capabilities to deliver automated driving experiences even faster at global scale. With ADP running on Azure, Car.Software Organisation will increase the efficiency of the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and AD functions for passenger cars across Volkswagen Group brands. Volkswagen and Microsoft have been strategic partners on the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud since 2018, which will span all of Volkswagen's future digital services and mobility offerings.
Even more boost for the Volkswagen electric offensive: World car ID.4 now on the way to the world markets
Volkswagen’s electric offensive continues to gain momentum: Following the presales of the special edition ID.4 1ST that have already taken place, presales of additional ID.4 models will now also start by mid-February in around 30 European countries including Germany, as well as in the USA. Deliveries to customers are to begin as soon as March in in the European, Chinese and US markets.
ID.3 starts series production: The Transparent Factory in Dresden to become the home of the Volkswagen ID.
The Transparent Factory in Dresden began series production of the fully electric ID.3 today. This makes it the second production site for the ID.3 and already the fourth site in the world producing Volkswagen models based on the Modular Electric Drive Toolkit (MEB). At the same time, Volkswagen is opening a new chapter in the Saxon capital: Over the coming years, the former “Center of Future Mobility” will steadily transform into the “Home of the ID.”
Transforming old into new: Volkswagen Group Components commences battery recycling
Today, Volkswagen Group Components opened the Group’s first plant for recycling electric car batteries in Salzgitter. As pilot operation commences, the Volkswagen Group takes another committed step towards sustainable end-to-end responsibility for the entire value chain of the electric vehicle battery. The aim is the industrialised recovery of valuable raw materials such as lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt in a closed loop together with aluminium, copper and plastics, achieving a recycling rate of more than 90% over the long term.
Volkswagen remembers the victims of the Holocaust
Today, on the occasion of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Volkswagen remembered the victims of National Socialism with a silent wreath-laying ceremony at its Wolfsburg plant. In view of the current situation and in accordance with the appropriate rules, CEO Herbert Diess, HR Board Member Gunnar Kilian, Plant Manager Rainer Fessel and Works Council Coordinator Ulf Günther laid a wreath at the memorial stone on Südstraße at the Wolfsburg plant on behalf of the workforce.
United against antisemitism and racism: Five German companies send a strong signal ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Borussia Dortmund, Daimler, Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bank and Volkswagen together with the Freundeskreis Yad Vashem e.V. announced a joint declaration against antisemitism and racism during an online commemoration event.
Volkswagen AG announces preliminary figures for the business year 2020
Despite the ongoing unprecedented Covid 19 situation, the Volkswagen AG has proved to be quite robust in the second half of 2020. The deliveries to customers of the Volkswagen Group continued to recover strongly in the fourth quarter and even exceeded the deliveries of the third quarter 2020, leading to strong Group turnover. Also the reported Automotive net cash position showed a very positive development.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars over-fulfils European CO2 fleet targets for 2020
Based on preliminary figures, Volkswagen Passenger Cars has exceeded the ambitious European CO2 fleet targets for 2020 and produced around six million grams fewer CO2 than required by law. The passenger car fleet of new vehicles in the European Union achieved average CO2 emissions of 92g/km – the legal CO2 target for the brand was 97g/km. As a result, CO2 emissions fell by 22 percent compared to the previous year.
E-offensive gains traction: Volkswagen Group significantly reduces CO2 fleet average in the EU
The Volkswagen Group’s e-offensive is gaining traction: deliveries of electric models in the EU including the UK, Norway and Iceland increased more than fourfold in the year now ended to a total of 315,400 electric vehicles (2019: 72,600). The proportion of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in-hybrids (PHEVs) in the total deliveries rose to 9.7 percent (2019: 1.7 percent). The Volkswagen Group is thus the clear market leader in the all-electric segment in Western Europe, accounting for a share of around 25 percent (2019: 14 percent). The main drivers of this development were the Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Audi brands, which overfulfilled their CO2 fleet targets largely due to the successful start-up of their ID.3 and e-tron electric models. Based on preliminary figures, the Volkswagen Group thus reduced the average CO2 emissions of its new passenger car fleet in the EU by around 20 percent compared with 2019 to 99.8 g/km in 2020. The emissions of Bentley and Lamborghini are measured individually, which is why they are not included in this figure. In anticipation of narrowly missing the target for the CO2 pool established jointly with other manufacturers by around 0.5 g/km, the Group had recognized provisions at an early stage to avoid any impact on fourth-quarter earnings.
Volkswagen Group strengthens quality assurance – Frank Welsch to lead the new unit
The Volkswagen Group has strengthened and simultaneously reorganized its quality assurance. To this end, Frank Welsch will become the new Head of Group Quality Management and Strategy as of February 1. In this function, he will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Volkswagen Group, Herbert Diess. Thomas Ulbrich will succeed Welsch as Chief Development Officer of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
New member of the Board of Management for Development at Volkswagen Passenger Cars
Thomas Ulbrich, member of the Board of Management for Mobility at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, is to become member of the Board of Management for Development as of February 1. He will succeed Frank Welsch in this role, who is taking over as Head of the realigned Group Quality Assurance. Following the successful market entry of the first MEB-based vehicles, the tasks of the board-level management function for electric mobility managed by Thomas Ulbrich will be transferred back to the areas of responsibility of the respective divisions.
Volkswagen Group strengthens market position in 2020 and hits the ground running in e-offensive
The Volkswagen Group handed over 9,305,400 vehicles to customers worldwide in 2020, a decrease of 15.2 percent year-on-year due to Covid-19. In December, deliveries were down just 3.2 percent on the same month of the previous year, while in the fourth quarter they declined by a total of 5.7 percent. This meant that the Group slightly expanded its global passenger car market share in 2020 amid a declining overall market. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Group’s e-offensive with a large number of new models met with keen in-terest from customers in the year now ended and resulted in deliveries of approximately 231,600 all-electric vehicles, more than three times the volumes delivered in 2019. Plug-in hybrids were also very popular with customers, who purchased 190,500 units (+175 per-cent). In Western Europe, the share of electric vehicles therefore surged to 10.5 percent of overall deliveries (2019: 1.9 percent).
Volkswagen brand triples deliveries of all-electric vehicles in 2020
Volkswagen Passenger Cars has hit the ground running in the transition to electric mobility. “2020 was a turning point for Volkswagen and marked a breakthrough in electric mobility,” said Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. Last year, the brand delivered more electric vehicles worldwide than ever before, handing over more than 212,000 electric cars in total (+158 percent versus 2019), including nearly 134,000 battery electric vehicles (+197 percent versus 2019). “We are well on track to achieve our aim of becoming the market leader in battery electric vehicles,” Brandstätter continued. “More than any other company, we stand for attractive and affordable e-mobility.”
The Golf once again the favorite car of Germans and Europeans in 2020
It’s full speed ahead for the icon of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, the Golf, since all eight derivatives were made available in the fall of 2020. Last year it was once again the top-selling car in Europe with around 312,000 deliveries The Wolfsburg figurehead was once again the top-selling car in Germany last year, too, with around 133,900 deliveries to customers. “In 2020 the Golf is still exactly where it belongs,” says Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
Volkswagen AG donates €10 million for European environmental projects under agreement with European Investment Bank
Volkswagen AG is donating €10 million for European sustainability projects under an agreement entered into with the European Investment Bank (EIB). A decisive criterion in the selection of the projects was their proven experience in major environmental protection measures. The future of sustainable mobility was a further key factor.
Elke Temme to boost Volkswagen Group Components team
On 1 January 2021, Elke Temme took on the management of the newly-created Charging & Energy business area at Volkswagen Group Components. This area's responsibilities will include pooling and managing existing Group activities in the fields of energy, charging services, charging equipment and charging infrastructure across all the brands. “With Elke Temme, we have won a proven expert in the fields of energy and charging for our company. With her many years of experience and outstanding expertise she will quickly charge up the new business field and thus make a considerable contribution towards moving not only Group Components, but also the whole Group forwards in the field of electric mobility ”, said Thomas Schmall, member of the Volkswagen AG Board of Management and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components.
Volkswagen significantly expands charging infrastructure
The Volkswagen brand is significantly expanding the charging infrastructure at its German sites. Some 750 new charging points are planned for next year, including the first High Power Charging stations with up to 300 kW power. Some 2,000 charging points in total are expected to be in operation by the end of 2021 – over 50 percent more than at present. Currently, there are already more than 1,200 charging points at Volkswagen’s ten sites in Germany. A large share are publicly accessible and can also be used by EV drivers who do not work for Volkswagen. The biggest charging park with some 500 charging points is located in Wolfsburg. Further parks have been installed in Hanover, Brunswick, Salzgitter, Kassel, Emden, Osnabrück, Zwickau, Chemnitz and Dresden. In the last twelve months alone, Volkswagen recorded over 50,000 charging operations at its sites in spite of corona. The power comes exclusively from renewable energy sources.
Initial contact: The mobile charging robot – Presenting a vision
Volkswagen Group Components gives us a first glimpse of the prototypes of its mobile charging robot. This is one of the visionary charging concepts that Volkswagen hopes will expand the charging infrastructure over the next few years. Its task: fully autonomous charging of vehicles in restricted parking areas, like underground car parks. “A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is and remains a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” explains Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Components’ CEO.
Phasing out the e-Golf: Volkswagen prepares to launch the ID.3 at the Transparent Factory in Dresden
The Volkswagen e-Golf is history: Today the last vehicle rolls off the production line at the Transparent Factory in Dresden. With the e-Golf in Uranogrey, a total of 50,401 vehicles have been manufactured in Dresden since March 2017. At the beginning of the new year 2021, the production area of the Transparent Factory will be reconstructed for three weeks before the first ID.3 series vehicles roll off the assembly lines in Dresden at the end of January.
75 years ago in Wolfsburg: Start of series production of the Volkswagen Beetle
On December 27, 1945 the serial production of the Volkswagen Limousine (Type 1) got started. This was the real beginning of the success story of the Volkswagen. The model had originally been planned as a prestige project of the National Socialists. But from 1939 onwards the Wolfsburg plant had produced armaments instead of vehicles. Up to the end of World War II, only 630 units of the model, which had been renamed “KdF-Wagen” in 1938, left the Volkswagen plant. It was only under British trusteeship that the unique success story of the VW Beetle began at Wolfsburg thanks to the strategic vision of Major Ivan Hirst.
Rapid recovery of automobile markets leads to semiconductor bottleneck: Volkswagen Group has to adjust production
The massive semiconductor supply bottleneck is causing considerable disturbances for manufacturers throughout global vehicle production. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing sales slump in the automotive industry, leading semiconductor manufac-turers had reassigned their production capacities to other customer sectors such as consum-er electronics. However, automobile markets have now recovered significantly and the in-dustry, including the Volkswagen Group, faces a shortage of the electronic components required.
Beetles in boxes: 70 years of CKD car exports by Volkswagen
Since 1950, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand has been exporting vehicles dismantled into individual parts in order to assemble them in the destination country. This approach is referred to as “completely knocked down” (CKD). Initially, the approach was to open up new markets; nowadays, CKD also ensures supplies to Volkswagen’s global production network – and is a key factor in sales. To date, about 200 million vehicles have been exported to countries throughout the world. About 3 million further vehicles or parts are added every year. The first vehicle to be assembled from individual parts supplied in a box was the legendary Beetle.
From the luxury class to the compact segment: the augmented reality head-up display
With the new augmented reality head-up display, Volkswagen is merging the virtual and real worlds. The innovative system superimposes selected symbols onto the outside world and displays them dynamically. Volkswagen is the first car manufacturer in the world to introduce this technology in the compact segment, and is therefore making it affordable for many customers. The new convenience function will be introduced first in the all-electric ID.3 and ID.4 models.
Best-selling SUV now available as a plug-in hybrid: the new Tiguan eHybrid is now available to order
Volkswagen has kick-started an unprecedented electric mobility offensive and is currently launching numerous new electric and hybrid models. From now on, an electrified variant of the best-selling Tiguan is also available as part of this product offensive. An electric motor on board the new Tiguan eHybrid allows most everyday trips to be covered without generating any local emissions. Electric range: up to 50 km (WLTP). The Tiguan eHybrid is now available to configure and order. Price in Germany: starting at 42,413.11 euros.
Volkswagen Supervisory Board agrees on management positions and reorganisation of Group Board – stronger focus on costs planned
During its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG dealt extensively with the Together 2025+ strategy and, in connection with this, a realignment of personnel. The Board unanimously resolved to give its full support to the strategy, in particular the orientation of the company towards electromobility and digitalisation. This results in the following realignment of personnel resolved by the Supervisory Board:
Clean and cultivated: the 2.0 TDI engine with new Euro 6d emission standard
Clean and smooth-running – the 2.0 TDI, Volkswagen’s most important diesel engine is now in new top form. Thanks to sophisticated twin dosing technology in the exhaust gas system, it undercuts the Euro 6d emission standard limits while also running quietly and smoothly.
Production failure of supplier due to corona: Volkswagen has to cut back production at main
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand is cutting back production in some areas at the Wolfsburg plant from next Monday (night shift). Component supply sections of the Volkswagen Group Components plant at Brunswick are also affected.
Pilot phase for innovative DC wallbox has started
The Volkswagen Group Components brand develops innovations for the electric mobility of today, tomorrow and beyond. One focus is on innovative charging concepts. Following flexible charging stations and mobile charging robots, the company now presents its newest product: the innovative DC wallbox, which charges up to 22 kW. Currently, real operation will be starting at five sites as part of a pilot phase. The goal is to gather practical experience in order to develop the DC wallbox quickly in the direction of series production.
Arteon and Arteon R Shooting Brake: presales of the new performance models now underway
The Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake are the sporty avant-garde models among company and touring cars. In the product line revamped in autumn 2020, Volkswagen is now starting presales of the flagship models: the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake with a powerful and efficient 235 kW (320 PS) four-cylinder turbocharged engine (TSI). This high power is transferred to the four wheels by a new all-wheel drive system: 4MOTION with R-Performance Torque Vectoring. The fastback version with its coupé-style rear end costs 61.484,87 euros in Germany; prices for the Shooting Brake as a dynamic reinterpretation of the estate car start from 62,347,56 euros.
Brake or coast? The ID.4’s intelligent energy recuperation concept
Brake energy recuperation, in other words energy recovery when decelerating, greatly boosts the range of any electric vehicle. In the new Volkswagen ID.4, this follows a concept aimed at maximum efficiency.
The compact all-rounder: TSI evo engine with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litres
It is THE petrol engine at Volkswagen: the TSI evo with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litres is available for almost all product lines from the up! GTI to Passat, from T-Cross to Tiguan. Whether with three or four cylinders – a package full of high-tech solutions makes the engine both efficient and powerful.
Volkswagen inaugurates R&D center for e-mobility in China
Anhui province is to be transformed into a new center of competence and e-mobility hub for the Volkswagen Group in China. As a first step, today saw the inauguration of a new Research & Development center at the company’s facilities in Hefei. At the same time, the joint venture JAC Volkswagen was renamed as Volkswagen (Anhui) Automotive Company Limited. With a 75 percent stake in the joint venture, Volkswagen takes over management control at Volkswagen (Anhui). The company’s future products will be based on the Group’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB), with plans for a step-by-step expansion of local R&D competence in the localization of MEB-based derivatives, and the aim of capitalizing on global synergies. The first vehicle is expected to roll off the Anhui production line in 2023.
Change at the helm of Group Communications: Nicole Mommsen succeeds Peik v. Bestenbostel
Nicole Mommsen is to be the new Head of Global Group Communications at Volkswagen. In her future function, she will be responsible for the entire communications of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft and will report to CEO Herbert Diess. Nicole Mommsen succeeds Peik v. Bestenbostel, who will hand over this function with effect from January 1, 2021 and leave the company as part of a planned retirement arrangement. Nicole Mommsen joined Volkswagen from Goldman Sachs this August and has since headed Corporate Communica-tions.
Across Germany: endurance test with ID.3 covering 28,198 kilometres between Oberstdorf and Sylt
“If you’re open-minded, you can have plenty of fun with an electric car like the ID.3,” Rainer Zietlow says. And he should know because Zietlow, originally from Mannheim, and his companion Dominic Brüner from Hannover spent 65 days travelling the length and breadth of Germany to test the long-distance capabilities of the new Volkswagen model as well as the charging infrastructure across Germany. Despite the restrictions in place due to the pandemic and after having covered 28,198 kilometres, the team reached its destination on Sylt today as scheduled, marking the end of the marathon test drive (www.ID3-deutschlandtour.com). In the process, the team also set the world record for the “longest continuous EV drive through a single country”.
Pooling strengths for the electric offensive: Integration of Volkswagen Motorsport GmbH in Volkswagen AG
The Volkswagen brand is pooling strengths for the transformation to the mobile electric era. The brand is terminating its motorsport activities as part of the company’s realignment and further focusing. The Volkswagen Motorsport GmbH workforce will be integrated in Volkswagen AG.
Volkswagen Group commences climate-friendly MEB production at Foshan and Anting plants
Volkswagen Group has entered a new era of e-mobility in China with the premiere just three weeks ago of the first two China-specific models from the completely new, electric-only ID. family – FAW-Volkswagen’s ID.4 CROZZ and SAIC VOLKSWAGEN’s ID.4 X – built on the innovative MEB platform. With market entry in early 2021, production of these two models has already started at MEB facilities in Foshan and Anting, which together have a combined total planned annual capacity of 600,000 units. This will enable the Group to increase the share of electric vehicles in its product portfolio to 35% by 2025. By 2023, Volkswagen will offer eight models of the ID. Family in China, the world’s largest NEV market which plays a crucial role in the Group’s global e-mobility strategy.
Volkswagen commissions green battery logistics system for ID.3 and ID.4
The Volkswagen Group is making battery shipment for its ID.3 and ID.4 electric vehicles even more environmentally compatible and efficient. At the Zwickau plant today, the final link in a green logistics chain extending from Poland via Brunswick to the plant in Saxony was commissioned. This is a fully automated system for unloading batteries from incoming trains. The system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by some 11,000 tonnes per year, corresponding to the CO2 emissions of a medium-sized village with about 1,000 inhabitants. “With this green and efficient logistics chain, we are making a key contribution to reducing emissions within the Group and to the delivery of the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 with a neutral carbon balance,” says Thomas Zernechel, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics.
Volkswagen Group Components delivers essential components for Volkswagen’s ID.4
Volkswagen Group Components is the central supplier for the first models of the new Volkswagen ID. family and numerous other Group brand models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB). Volkswagen Group Components contributes around 40% of the overall added value of the first fully electric SUV by the Volkswagen brand, the world e-car ID.4. That’s around 10 percentage points more than a comparable model with conventional drive.
Zero local emissions: Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake available with plug-in hybrid drive from 26 November
Volkswagen’s hybrid offensive is gaining even more momentum: the new Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake are already available as plug-in hybrid models. Prices in Germany start from EUR 51,064.37 for the Arteon eHybrid with a hatchback and from EUR 51,927.06 for the Arteon Shooting Brake eHybrid. The avant-garde Volkswagen models impress in the business class segment with their own unique style and a high level of efficiency. Thanks to electric ranges of up to 59 kilometres (hatchback) and 57 kilometres (Shooting Brake), their drivers can achieve zero local emissions for the majority of their day-to-day trips.
Fuel from waste: Volkswagen powers car freighters with used oil from restaurants
The Volkswagen Group continues to force the pace of climate protection: in future, Volkswagen Group Logistics will be using certified fuel from vegetable residues for certain new car shipments via marine routes. The fuel is produced from materials such as used oil from restaurants and the food industry. The first car freighter was re-fuelled for the first time with this oil in mid-November 2020 and a second ship is due to follow at the beginning of 2021. “We are the first automaker to make widespread use of this fuel. This way, we reuse waste oil in an environmentally compatible way. With 85 percent lower CO2 emissions than with conventional fossil fuels, the contribution to climate protection is enormous,” says Thomas Zernechel, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics.
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.