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Press Releases
This section contains all current press releases on topics and news items concerning Volkswagen.
TRATON remains on growth path in 2018
TRATON SE maintained its growth path in 2018. The Group sold 233,000 vehicles of the MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus brands, exceeding the prior-year figure by 14%. This is the highest number since the Group was established in 2015. This positive development was driven partly by continuing robust growth in Europe and sharply rising demand in Brazil. Growth was very dynamic in the first six months of 2018, but weakened slightly in the second half the year, coming in at 10% in the fourth quarter of 2018. “We fully achieved our growth targets,” said Andreas Renschler, TRATON CEO and member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. “This success was driven by outstanding products, good customer proximity, a strong team, and a continued stable and attractive market overall.”
Second Environmental Audit successfully closed
The EMS Audit Report 2018 is a report on a special audit of the Environmental Management System that was conducted in 2018. This audit is a requirement arising from Volkswagen's agreements with the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which came into force in 2017. The auditors did not find any deviations at any of the audited companies but made some suggestions for improvement.
Volkswagen ID. will be a pioneer of sustainable mobility
Volkswagen is committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and is laying the groundwork for sustainable mobility with its electric offensive. The new ID. that goes into production in Zwickau at the end of the year will play a pioneering role: It will be the Group’s first electric car which is CO2 neutral throughout the entire life cycle if the customer consistently charges with green power. Regarding the manufacturing phase alone, the carbon footprint of the ID. will be improved by more than 1 million tons of CO2 per year. This is roughly the climate impact of a coal-fired power plant that supplies 300,000 households with electricity. In addition, Volkswagen is working on a comprehensive decarbonization program that includes measures for other models. The brand will offer more than 20 fully electric models by 2025.
Volkswagen Group makes solid start to new year
The Volkswagen Group made a solid start to the new year, delivering 882,200 vehicles to customers worldwide in January, 1.8 percent down on the same month last year. At the same time, the Group succeeded in winning market shares in a broadly declining world market. This was the case in Europe, South America and Asia/Pacific. Particularly in the largest single market of China, the Group was not entirely immune to the persistent weakness in the overall market, however, with deliveries only down 2.9 percent, it put on a far better performance than the market as a whole. Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales, commented: “The Volkswagen Group made a solid start to the new year with relatively stable delivery figures. The fact that we won market shares in a broadly declining overall world market is a good result. It shows the strength of our brands and their products. The persistently volatile geopolitical environment and looming economic risks in individual markets will have a decisive impact on our business this year, and I believe China and Brexit will present us with special challenges, particularly in the first few months of the year.”
Trade fair premiere in Geneva Volkswagen T-Roc R top model
At the Geneva International Motor Show (7 to 17 March 2019), Volkswagen is presenting the new top model for the crossover series successfully launched in 2017: the T-Roc R. The powerful Volkswagen R vehicle not only convinces with impressive performance data. The sporting characteristics of the Volkswagen T-Roc R are accentuated by the unmistakable “R”-specific exterior and interior design.
Volkswagen sees deliveries in January decline
The Volkswagen brand delivered 515,500 vehicles to customers worldwide in January, a drop of 3.4 percent compared with the same month in 2018. Positive delivery trends in Russia (+10.9 percent) and Brazil (+10.8 percent) could not offset decreases in China (-3.1 percent), Western Europe (-4.8 percent) and North America (-8.6 percent). Volkswagen Board Member for Sales Jürgen Stackmann: “As expected, we could not quite match the January 2018 record level this year. Volkswagen won market share in China in a persistently uncertain overall market, despite the decline in deliveries. The order balance is high and, as announced, we are working hard on expanding capacity for our petrol engines in order to better serve high demand during the course of the year. New models such as the T-Cross and the Passat facelift that debuted recently will be launched in the coming months and provide a tailwind.”
Volkswagen Touareg wins gold at the German Design Award
The Volkswagen Touareg won the top gold award in the “Passenger Vehicles” category at the German Design Awards. The prestigious prize was accepted by Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design, at the award ceremony in Frankfurt am Main. There was a great deal of praise from the expert jury for the SUV model, especially for the technology, the high quality and the fun factor.
Premiere at Geneva Motor Show: the new Passat will be the first Volkswagen to offer partially automated driving at cruising speed
Production record for the debut of the new Passat: the bestseller will pass the 30 million mark this spring. This makes it the most successful mid-size model worldwide. One thing is certain: the 30 millionth Passat will come from the progressively enhanced 8th generation. A major technical update – a Passat that incorporates the latest brand innovations. The new Passat will make its trade fair debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Pre-sales will start in the first countries in May. The market launch will take place in September (Germany).
Volkswagen idea management increases maximum incentive for improvement ideas to €75,000
Volkswagen has updated its idea management with a new works agreement. The new system came into effect on February 1 and has already been very well received by the workforce: Volkswagen AG employees submitted more than 750 ideas for improvement in the first few days alone. The incentives have also been upgraded: the maximum reward has been increased by almost 50 percent to €75,000.
German President receives Holocaust survivor and Volkswagen apprentices at Schloss Bellevue
At the invitation of the International Auschwitz Committee (IAC), four apprentices from Volkswagen yesterday accompanied Leon Schwarzbaum, a Jewish survivor of Auschwitz extermination camp, to a reception given by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The 98-year-old from Berlin honored the German head of state with the “B” statuette. With this statuette, Auschwitz survivors and the IAC honor women and men who stand up for democracy, tolerance and human dignity and keep remembrance of Auschwitz alive. Last year, the budding Volkswagen specialists had helped to maintain and preserve the Memorial Site at Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Curriculum vitae: Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein
CEO, Volkswagen Group China
Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand
CEO, Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand
Volkswagen gives some gas with new TGI models
Volkswagen has completely overhauled its natural gas models and is equipping its Polo and Golf TGI with a third natural gas tank. This allows the Polo TGI to now travel up to 60 kilometres further in pure CNG mode than its predecessor. The gain in range in the Golf TGI is up to 80 kilometres. In the Golf, a new 1.5 litre TGI four-cylinder engine with 96 kW / 130 PS ensures that none of the driving pleasure is lost. Driving with natural gas significantly reduces CO2 emissions because the combustion of CNG generally produces less CO2. An even better CO2 balance can be achieved by fuelling with biomethane or e-gas. Biomethane is extracted from plant residues; e-gas is produced from surplus green energy (power-to-gas), which are added to the fuels.
Destined to win: up!, Polo and Golf are the winners in the “Best Cars 2019” Reader’s Choice Awards
The trade magazine auto motor und sport chose the winners of its “Best Cars 2019” Reader’s Choice Awards in Stuttgart today. Three models of the Volkswagen brand, the up!, Polo and Golf, were among the winners. The award, one of the top automotive awards of the year, was received by Volkswagen’s Brand Board of Management members Ralf Brandstätter (Chief Operating Officer), Dr Frank Welsch (Development) and Jürgen Stackmann (Sales, Marketing and After Sales).
The buggy is back – and now it’s electric!
Volkswagen is bringing a legend back to life! At the beginning of March, the Wolfsburg-based Group will reveal the first fully electric version of a new buggy. Taking its cues from popular American dune buggies, the concept vehicle is based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB), demonstrating how multifaceted the new platform truly is.
40 years of the fresh air generation: Volkswagen at the Bremen Classic Motorshow
The Bremen Classic Motorshow traditionally kicks off the classic season, and Volkswagen Classic is celebrating an anniversary: four decades of the Golf Cabriolet. From prototype to production – under the slogan “40 Years of Sunny Outlooks”, two exhibits from the company’s own automobile collection at Volkswagen Osnabrück tell of the start of a success story.
Volkswagen customers order more diesel vehicles
Customers of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand in Germany are once again placing more orders for diesel vehicles. In 2018, the share of incoming orders for vehicles equipped with the latest diesel technology as a proportion of the overall vehicle portfolio was 43 percent compared to 39 percent in 2017. Demand for diesel cars was particularly strong among private customers, where the share almost doubled from 15 percent in 2017 to 27 percent last year. “In Germany, the diesel debate is emotionally charged – and frequently strays from the facts. Given its high efficiency and its performance and in light of climate change, the diesel engine will remain an important technology for years to come, especially for those who travel long distances,” Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, Jürgen Stackmann, said.
WTCR quartet complete: Benjamin Leuchter to drive fourth Golf GTI TCR
The driver quartet of Volkswagen and Sébastien Loeb Racing for the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) is complete: Benjamin Leuchter (D) moves from ADAC TCR Germany to the pinnacle of touring car racing and will compete in the Golf GTI TCR alongside his team-mates Mehdi Bennani (MA), Rob Huff (GB) and Johan Kristoffersson (S). Sébastien Loeb Racing will field four cars supported by Volkswagen for the first time in 2019.
Electric Life: Volkswagen subsidiary Elli offers Volkswagen Naturstrom® throughout Germany with immediate effect
The Volkswagen Group is taking a further consistent step towards sustainability. The new Group subsidiary, Elli Group GmbH, is offering an eco-power tariff that is available throughout Germany with immediate effect. The first product from Elli is called “Volkswagen Naturstrom®”, comes from 100-percent renewable sources and is intended for private households and small businesses. The new tariff is expressly intended not only for current customers of Volkswagen Group brands or owners of electric vehicles.
Volkswagen Board Member for Human Resources: only a united Europe can master structural change and safeguard social accord
The Volkswagen Board Member for Human Resources, Gunnar Kilian, gave a clear affirmation of the company’s commitment to Europe and announced Volkswagen would be formulating a clear call for votes in the European elections in May at the Group New Year Reception in Brussels. At the same time, Kilian underscored that the transformation to e-mobility and digitalization was a joint task for industry and policy makers. Kilian pointed out that Volkswagen was making massive investments in e-mobility, and commented that the transformation would only be successful if there is also progress in other areas such as establishing energy networks and charging infrastructure, European payment systems and the framework for battery cell production. “Even then, the transition to e-mobility still creates an enormous challenge in terms of employment policy”, Kilian said. That was why prudence was important when implementing regulations. “If we lose sight of the social factor, we are threatening the success of e-mobility.”
Volkswagen develops automotive industry in Ethiopia
Volkswagen brand continues its engagement in emerging countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the presence of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Thomas Schaefer, Head of the Volkswagen Sub-Saharan Africa Region, and the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), Abebe Abebayehu, today. Thereby, Volkswagen is taking the fast development of the country into account. Over the last ten years, the GDP growth rate in Ethiopia was above 8 percent – one of the highest worldwide. Moreover, Ethiopia is a priority and focus country for Germany under the G20-“Compact with Africa” initiative.
Holocaust Remembrance Day - Volkswagen remembers victims of National Socialist persecution of the Jews, racial hatred and forced labor
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Volkswagen remembered the victims of National Socialism at its Wolfsburg plant.
Volkswagen Group Components to start series production of flexible fast charging station
The transformation of Volkswagen Group Components towards e-mobility continues to gather pace. Today, the new brand within the Volkswagen Group announced its decision to start series production of the flexible fast charging station from 2020 onwards. This station, based on the principle of a powerbank, can charge up to 4 vehicles at the same time and also be used for the interim storage of eco-power. The station is to be produced at the Hanover components plant, where heat exchanger production, forming part of the engine business area, will be replaced step-by-step by the new e-mobility business area.
Volkswagen Group Components well-positioned for the future
Since January 1, 2019, the Volkswagen Group has had a new brand. With the realignment of Volkswagen Group Components, the Group is reinforcing its in-house supplier of components including engines, gearboxes, electric drive systems, steering systems and seats – at the same time as consistently leveraging synergy effects. 80,000 Group employees at 61 components plants throughout the world develop and produce vehicle components. Right from the start, the units will therefore be among the world’s largest automotive industry suppliers.
ADAC EcoTest 2018: e-Golf and e-up! are the best
The e-Golf wins the ADAC EcoTest, proving it is one of the cleanest cars in 2018. Placing second was the fully electric e-up!, designed for city driving. Volkswagen’s two latest electric models thus claim one of the most coveted prizes for new vehicles. Introduced in 2003, the ADAC EcoTest is one of the toughest car emissions tests.
Kilian: “E-mobility and digitalization mean profound structural change”
The New Year sees Volkswagen systematically forging ahead with its electric offensive and the transformation of the factories in Zwickau, Dresden, Emden and Hanover to become production locations for electric vehicles. The Zwickau facility is the trailblazer for this transformation, with the compact ID. already going into production there at the end of this year. By then, Volkswagen will have qualified thousands of employees to perform their future tasks. Along with further fundamental organizational and structural changes, this is an enormous endeavor for the company and the workforce. Today, Federal Minister of Labour, Hubertus Heil, and SPD parliamentary group leader, Andrea Nahles, will be joined by Volkswagen Board Member for Human Resources, Gunnar Kilian, and the Chairman of Volkswagen’s General and Group Works Council, Bernd Osterloh, on a fact-finding visit to the Zwickau plant to gain a first-hand impression of the progress and challenges of this transformation.
Volkswagen celebrates five millionth Tiguan
Volkswagen can already celebrate an impressive production anniversary right at the start of 2019: in the middle of January, the five millionth Tiguan left the assembly line at the Wolfsburg plant. The compact Tiguan has enjoyed worldwide success since its market launch in 2007, and has thus made a valuable contribution to the brand's growth strategy and SUV offensive.
Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein appointed to Volkswagen brand Board of Management
Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of the Volkswagen brand in China, has been appointed to the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand effective February 1, 2019.
Volkswagen invests in US start-up Forge Nano
The Volkswagen Group is investing US$10 million in the startup “Forge Nano Inc.” with a view to reinforcing its specialist knowledge in the field of battery research. Forge Nano is investigating a material coating technology that could further improve the performance of battery materials. As a partner, Volkswagen will provide support for industrial trials of this technology. The transaction is still subject to approval by the authorities.
Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg – wreath-laying and film “Bei uns nichts Neues”
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Sunday, January 27, 2019 Volkswagen is commemorating the victims of murder, persecution and forced labor during the National Socialist dictatorship with a remembrance event at the Wolfsburg plant.
Volkswagen offers exchange incentive all over Germany
The Volkswagen brand is expanding its exchange incentive for replacing older diesel vehicles to cover all of Germany from 24 January until 30 April 2019. When trading in a Euro 4 or Euro 5 vehicle from any manufacturer, the bonus is paid in addition to the used car value. Until now, the incentive was reserved for customers in cities identified as particularly polluted by the federal government in order to improve air quality there as quickly as possible. The exchange incentive for new vehicles ranges from 500 to 7,000 euros, depending on the model. Jürgen Stackmann, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, said, “With the exchange incentive, the Volkswagen brand is offering all owners of Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel vehicles very attractive conditions for switching to efficient new cars or nearly new cars with the latest exhaust gas technology. This emphasises our ongoing commitment to improving air quality and to preventing driving bans in German cities.” The environmental incentive for scrapping Euro 1 to Euro 4 diesel vehicles will still be paid all over Germany until further notice.
Holocaust Remembrance Day 2019: Volkswagen employees commemorate victims of murder, persecution and forced labor
Over the next few days, the International Auschwitz Committee (IAC) and Volkswagen are commemorating the victims of murder, persecution and forced labor during the National Socialist dictatorship at remembrance events. Apprentices from Volkswagen’s plants at Dresden, Emden and Wolfsburg are also taking part in the events.
Volkswagen sets sights on electric record on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife
Volkswagen is driving electromobility forward at high speed, both in production vehicles and on the racetrack. Following the record-breaking run at the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the ID. R – Volkswagen’s fully-electric sports car – has now set its sights on another record in the summer of 2019: the lap record for electric cars on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, which is regarded as the toughest racetrack in the world.
TRATON corporate communications restructured
Corporate communications has been reorganized at TRATON, the 3-year-old truck and bus division of Volkswagen based in Munich. Wolfgang Meisen (35) became Head of Media Relations & Corporate Messaging on January 1, 2019. He reports to Julia Kroeber-Riel, the Head of Group Communications & Governmental Relations.
Golf with the genes of a race car: Advance sales of Golf GTI TCR commence
The latest evolution of a true motoring icon – the Golf GTI – can now be ordered: the Golf GTI TCR. This 213 kW / 290 PS sports car can reach speeds of up to 260 km/h, and is fitted with a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), petrol particulate filter and highly exclusive equipment as standard. Price: EUR 38,950 (in Germany, incl. VAT.).
Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company Launch Global Alliance
Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company today announced the first formal agreements in a broad alliance that positions the companies to boost competitiveness and better serve customers in an era of rapid change in the industry.
Location decision in North America: Volkswagen to build new generation of electric cars in Chattanooga
The Volkswagen brand is forging ahead consistently with its electric offensive and has now announced the first production location in North America. In future, the Chattanooga plant in Tennessee is to produce vehicles based on the modular electric toolkit MEB, a new generation of electric cars. For this purpose, Volkswagen is investing about €700 million ($800 million) in the plant. The expansion of the plant will create up to 1,000 new jobs plus additional jobs at suppliers. The first electric car from Chattanooga is to roll off the production line in 2022. Over the next few years, eight MEB plants are to be developed in Europe, North America and China. Volkswagen is building up the production capacity needed to sell more than 1 million electric cars per year by 2025.
Rolf Woller named the new head of investor relations at TRATON
The TRATON GROUP, a company that was known as Volkswagen Truck & Bus until August 2018, has just added a key employee to its ranks as it prepares for a possible initial public offering (IPO): In January 2019, Rolf Woller (45) became Head of Investor Relations at the truck and bus division of Volkswagen AG, a segment that includes MAN, Scania and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus. Before joining the company, Woller served for 12 years as the Head of Investor Relations at Continental. He was honored a number of times for his work there. He reports to TRATON CFO Christian Schulz.
New delivery record for Volkswagen Group in 2018
With 10.83 million vehicles delivered throughout the world, 0.9 percent more than in 2017, the Volkswagen Group set an all-time record. In many markets of the world, South America, Europe, the USA and China, both the deliveries and in some cases the market shares of the Volkswagen Group grew. With successful product offensives, the Group brands were able to more than compensate for the risks in individual regions such as the general economic uncertainty in China and the adverse effects of the WLTP changeover in Europe. Especially the Group’s new SUV models were strong growth drivers. The Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Škoda, Seat, Porsche and Lamborghini brands all set new deliveries records. Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales: “Even though setting new records is no longer our primary goal, we are very pleased about this great result. Especially in the second half, things were not easy for us in 2018. It was possible to achieve this new deliveries record for the Group thanks to a combination of outstanding products and the high level of trust placed in us by our customers. In view of volatile geopolitical developments, our business will face an equally strong headwind in 2019. In my opinion, the Volkswagen Group is well-positioned to meet the upcoming challenges. We face the future with optimism.”
Only at Volkswagen: customers can assemble their own e-Golf in the Transparent Factory in Dresden
Customers can now get a much closer look at their e-Golf during production. In the Transparent Factory, you can accompany your future vehicle a part of the way along the production line. Under the expert guidance of the factory’s employees, the customer is able to actively get involved at four stations, e.g. when installing the dash panel. Other places where the customer can experience the assembly of their vehicle include joining the drive train to the body (“marriage”) and installing the front radiator grille. With the new possibility of accompanying production, the Volkswagen Transparent Factory in Dresden is expanding its range of services in respect of the electric mobility experience.
Volkswagen sets new delivery record in 2018
Volkswagen set a new delivery record in 2018, handing over a total of 6.24 million vehicles worldwide for the full year, 0.2 percent more than in 2017. Positive delivery trends in South America (+13.1 percent), the USA (+4.2 percent) and Europe (+3.6 percent) offset considerable economic uncertainty in China, Argentina and Mexico as well as at times severe repercussions as a result of the changeover to WLTP in Western Europe. The SUV offensive along with numerous other new products from the brand proved to be key growth drivers. Volkswagen Board Member for Sales Jürgen Stackmann: “2018 was characterized by considerable uncertainty in some regions, especially in the second half of the year. Overall, though, we were able to combat this with a strong offensive of attractive new products and to offset the adverse effects. Our strategy has paid off. The new delivery record is the result of much hard work.”
Volkswagen COO Ralf Brandstätter: “2019 will be another year of enormous challenges for the brand, above all in light of growing geopolitical risks. We must do our homework. Apart from volume growth, we will in future be focusing more closely on earnings performance than we have done in the past. This is about ensuring the long-term profitability of the Volkswagen brand.”
Education Award: Making the Volkswagen workforce fit for the future
The Volkswagen Group has presented the Education Award to five outstanding education projects. An international jury comprising over 100 members selected the best projects in the categories of digital learning formats in vocational training, digital learning formats in further education, technical transformation and cultural transformation. The Volkswagen Board Member for Human Resources, Gunnar Kilian, said: “The transformation of the automotive industry will only succeed if workforce qualification is precisely tailored to the new tasks – not just in terms of content, but also as regards methods. Volkswagen has top know-how in skills development, and our experts continue to work hard on cutting-edge projects. The Award is an incentive to deliver first-rate qualification for the transformation. And it underscores that Volkswagen continues to give high priority to modern, efficient and sustainable knowledge transfer.”
Volkswagen to become a power supplier
The Volkswagen Group is establishing a Group company for energy offerings and charging solutions – underlining its strategic goal of becoming a leading provider of sustainable mobility. Elli Group GmbH with headquar-ters in Berlin is to develop products and services connected with energy and charging for the brands of the Group.
Volkswagen advises against hardware retrofits for diesel cars
Volkswagen continues to take a critical view of the planned retrofitting of diesel cars with the emission standard Euro 5 and discourages its customers from having hardware retrofitted by third-party providers. “All of the concepts that we know of so far bring disadvantages for our customers such as increased fuel consumption and therefore increased CO2 emissions, and even a reduction in performance in some cases”, warns Frank Welsch, Head of Technical Development at Volkswagen. Moreover, contrary to other claims, not all Euro 5 vehicles can be retrofitted and not all will achieve emissions of less than 270 mg/km, which would allow them to be exempted from the upcoming driving bans. In addition to this, Volkswagen believes that the long-term functional reliability of the technology cannot be guaranteed.
The Volkswagen highlights of 2018: Electric mobility and new SUV models set the trends
Volkswagen has set an important course for the future in 2018: As the first model of the future ID. family, the zero-emission compact ID. has reached the final phase of series development. In addition, with the avant-garde ID. VIZZION saloon and the racing car ID. R Pikes Peak, Volkswagen demonstrated two more fascinating facets of electric mobility. SUVs are booming worldwide: Volkswagen followed this trend in 2018 with nine new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) – from the urban T-Cross to the Touareg brand flagship. Various models of different segments like the new Virtus (South America), the attractive up! GTI (Europe) or the Jetta (North America), however, made it clear that Volkswagen serves every region of the world with specific cars. This has resulted in great success: Between January and November, unit sales rose by around 280,000 year-on-year to 5.7 million Volkswagen vehicles.
Electrifying World Premiere: Volkswagen offers First Glimpse of Mobile Charging Station
At the turn of the year, Volkswagen is offering a glimpse of the company’s future mobile quick charging station. It can be set up flexibly and independent of the power supply wherever it is needed: for example, in public parking lots in the city, on company premises, or as a temporary charging point at large-scale events. The mobile charging station works according to the principle of a power bank – which is familiar to many people with smartphones – but for electric vehicles instead. The charging capacity of up to 360 kWh enables up to 15 e-vehicles, including members of Volkswagen’s new ID. family, to be charged in stand-alone operation. Thanks to quick charging technology, the charging process only takes 17 minutes on average. If the energy content of the integrated battery set is less than 20 percent, the depleted charging station is simply exchanged for a charged one. If, however, it is permanently attached to the power supply with up to 30 kW via alternating current, the battery pack perpetually recharges itself. In case the charging process is based on renewable power supply, the charging station furthermore allows the temporary storage of sustainably generated power, such as solar or wind energy – and therefore CO2-neutral mobility.
Further milestone: TRATON becomes an SE
TRATON has formally undertaken the transformation into a European company. After its entry into the commercial register, which is expected to take place in a few weeks, the company will operate under the name “TRATON SE” – thus reflecting the Group’s international identity. TRATON expects the company’s new legal form to yield positive effects: “The SE business form gives us the opportunity to even more closely integrate the regional companies within the TRATON GROUP and position ourselves even better in the global arena with a European corporate identity,” said Renschler.
Volkswagen to take over telematics specialist WirelessCar from Volvo
The Volkswagen Group is acquiring a majority stake in the Swedish telematics specialist “WirelessCar” from Volvo with a view to making further advances in fleet connectivity. The Volkswagen Group is acquiring a 75.1 percent stake in WirelessCar. Completion is expected in the first half of 2019 and is subject to approval from antitrust authorities.
Volkswagen introduces new remuneration model for top management
The Volkswagen Group has revised its top management remuneration system. The new model is based on the system used for the Board of Management, strengthens the Group idea and fosters cooperation between brands, regions and countries. In addition, the return targets of the Group are taken into account and a stronger link to share prices has been established. The main new features include greater emphasis on team performance and greater rewards for compliant, upright behavior; the system allows the possibility of taking individual wrongdoing into account in reducing remuneration. The new remuneration system applies from fiscal 2019.
Bestselling mid-size model in the world: the Passat has stood for progress for 45 years
For 45 years the Passat has been on course for the future. Originally launched in 1973, it is now sold on every continent. Volkswagen has built more than 29 million Passat vehicles in eight generations so far. 2019 will see the start of a new evolutionary stage of the most successful mid-size car ever, as the Passat becomes the first in its segment to break through the barrier of 30 million units.
“Person of the Year 2018” – honor in China for former Volkswagen Chairman Prof. Dr. Carl Hahn
Prof. Dr. Carl H. Hahn, Former Chairman of the Volkswagen Board of Management (1982 – 1992), today received the accolade of “Person of the Year 2018“ in Beijing. The prestigious award presented by “China Newsweek“ magazine honors the pioneering role played by Dr. Hahn in the entry of Volkswagen to the market in the People’s Republic of China.
The Volkswagen Group heads for deliveries record
From January to November, the Volkswagen Group boosted worldwide deliveries by 1.8 percent to 9.92 million vehicles. Despite a tense market environment with stagnating overall markets, a deliveries record for 2018 as a whole is therefore within reach. In November, the Volkswagen Group delivered a total of 940,900 vehicles throughout the world, corresponding to a fall of 5.4 percent compared with the prior-year month. Thanks to further progress with the WLTP changeover of the model range, deliveries in Europe were affected less severely in November. At 3.0 percent, the fall compared with the prior-year month was considerably lower than in the two preceding months. Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Group Sales: “The rise in worldwide deliveries in the course of the year is a very respectable result. Although the volume target is no longer our top priority, high volumes allow us to achieve economies of scale. In November, there was a reduction in the effect of WLTP in Europe. We are confident that we will be able to close 2018 with a figure slightly above the previous record level of 2017 despite the challenging market environment.“
Return of the ID. R: Volkswagen to present plans for future applications
Family get-together for three generations: Volkswagen will take the past, present and future of motorsport to Zell am See for the return of the awe-inspiring Ice Race. On show for all to see on 19 and 20 January 2019 in the town to the south of Salzburg (Austria) will be the Volkswagen ID. R, which this year set a widely-acclaimed all-time record on the legendary Pikes Peak in the USA with a fully-electric drive. Volkswagen will also offer a glimpse of what awaits the ID. R in its immediate sporting future.
Volkswagen with new IQ.DRIVE umbrella brand campaign
Volkswagen is bundling its entire range of intelligent driver assistance technologies under the new umbrella brand IQ.DRIVE. Before Christmas, Volkswagen will be launching a 360° marketing campaign for the new brand in Germany, consisting of TV commercial and posters as well as printed and online advertisements. Other European markets are to follow next year. In January 2019, special IQ.DRIVE models will appear in European dealerships. Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member responsible for Sales and Marketing: “Our models already have intelligent electronic assistants for greater convenience and safety on board. With IQ.DRIVE, we are accompanying our customers on the way to autonomous driving. In future, their mobility time in a Volkswagen is to be quality time.“
Building EV charging infrastructures within companies
The Volkswagen Group has collaborated with THE MOBILITY HOUSE to create a gen-eral overview that answers the most important points for implementing an EV charging infrastructure at a company.
First Interim Report of the Sustainability Advisory Board of the Volkswagen Group
In its first interim report, today the Sustainability Council of the Volkswagen Group has published an interim report on its activities from October 2016 to October 2018 in Berlin. The eight-member international panel summarizes its experience of working with the Volkswagen Group and assesses progress in sustainability matters and describes its attitude towards the future development of the Group in this area.
Sharan – available now with new safety equipment and as new “Black Style” special model
The Sharan is back in showrooms now, following a host of technical enhancements. The long-distance van, so popular with families, boasts numerous innovative safety features as standard, making it one of the most advanced vehicles in its segment. For a particularly exclusive look, the Sharan is now also available in the new “Black Style” special model.
Personnel changes in production
Dr. Oliver Grünberg, Previously Technical Director of Volkswagen OOO Group RUS and Plant Manager at Kaluga, Russia, is to be Chairman of the Board of Management and Board Member for Technology of Volkswagen Slovakia with effect from January 1, 2019. He succeeds Ralf Sacht, who is to be Head of Toolmaking of the Volkswagen brand in Wolfsburg from January. Grün-berg’s previous function is to be assumed from February 2019 by Stefan Depka, Head of Produc-tion with FAW Volkswagen in Foshan, China.
Thomas Zahn new President and CEO of Volkswagen Group Argentina
Thomas Zahn, previously Head of Sales and Marketing, Germany, of Volkswagen AG, is to become President and CEO of Volkswagen Group Argentina S.A. effective February 1, 2019. Holger Santel already succeeded Thomas Zahn in his previous function with effect from November 1, 2018.
The right drive for the fleet
The Volkswagen Group is providing fleet managers with fact-based information on drive systems in a new white paper. With this paper, the company is offering a decision-making and discussion aid for the question: “Which drive is best for my fleet?”
Volkswagen Supervisory Board appoints Bram Schot to Group Board of Management
The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft today appointed Bram Schot a member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG effective January 1, 2019. Schot, appointed by the Supervisory Board of Audi AG as Board of Management Chairman of the company headquartered in Ingolstadt, will also hold responsibility for Group Sales in the Group Board of Management. “As Audi Board of Management Chairman, Bram Schot takes over an important task in the Group. With his long-standing experience he will prove Audi’s premium claim and successfully lead the brand with its “Vorsprung durch Technik” mission statement into the future”, the Chairman of the Audi Supervisory Board and Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen, Dr. Herbert Diess, said.
Producing for the future: Volkswagen Toolmaking opens highly advanced 3-D printing center
The Volkswagen brand’s Toolmaking unit is adding a highly advanced 3-D printing center to its facilities in Wolfsburg. With the opening of the center, the unit is bringing the most highly advanced generation of 3-D printers to the Volkswagen Group, which will allow the production of complex vehicle parts in the future. In addition, with the new center, Toolmaking is implementing a key point of the pact for the future concluded in 2016 and expanding its production competences with subsidies from the Innovation Fund II.
Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn to become Chairman of Management Board of IAV
Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, currently head of Research and Development of the Volkswagen Group, is to become Chairman of the Management Board of IAV GmbH in Berlin with effect from January 1, 2019. Eichhorn’s previous function is to be assumed by Dr. Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand responsible for Technical Development, in addition to his duties as Member of the Brand Board of Management in the future.
Renewed improvement in mood among employees
Volkswagen employees see improvements in cooperation, management culture and integrity within the company. These are the conclusions to be drawn from the results of the Volkswagen Stimmungsbarometer (opinion barometer), an employee survey that regularly gives employees throughout the world an opportunity to express their views on topics such as leadership, coop-eration, integrity and culture while retaining their anonymity. This survey has now been held for the 10th year in succession. It was conducted in October and November and the results for Volkswagen AG are now available.
Volkswagen Group honors its best apprentices
The Volkswagen Group today presented its “Best Apprentice Awards 2018” to its best apprentices from all over the world, honoring their outstanding performance and professional competence. The prizes for the 46 young talents with 16 vocations were presented by the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Herbert Diess, the Member of the Board of Management with responsibilty for Human Resources, Gunnar Kilian, and the President of the Global Group Works Council, Bernd Osterloh.
Volkswagen and suppliers start countdown to ID.
About one year before the start of production of the fully electric ID., Volkswagen has announced further details of its electric offensive. Throughout the Group, up to 15 million vehicles based on the Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) are to be built in the first wave, compared with 10 million vehicles according to previous plans. Up to 2023, the brand will be investing more than €11 billion in e-mobility, digitalization, autonomous driving and new mobility services, including more than €9 billion in the ID. family. The electric offensive was also a topic at the MEB Supplier Event. Yesterday, more than 30 CEOs from the key component suppliers came to Wolfsburg to usher in the hot phase of preparations for the ID. together with Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, and members of the Volkswagen brand Board of Management.
Available to order now: the new T-Cross
Following its world première in Amsterdam, Shanghai and São Paulo it is now available to order: the new T-Cross. Customers can order the new Volkswagen SUV in the small vehicle segment as of now. The T-Cross introductory model is available from €17,975.
Volkswagen heading for success with annual deliveries
In November, Volkswagen delivered 564,500 vehicles throughout the world, five percent less than in November 2017. In Europe, the effects of WLTP became less and less pronounced. Deliveries by Volkswagen were up 1.2 percent here. Brazil continues to drive growth in South America. The market situation in China remains tense. Nevertheless, Volkswagen succeeds in boosting its market share there in a shrinking overall market. All in all, the brand faces a challenging market environment with strong headwinds in some regions. Nevertheless, Volkswagen has delivered 5.7 million passenger cars to customers throughout the world in the year to date, 1.2 percent more than in the prior-year period. Volkswagen Board Member for Sales Jürgen Stackmann: “In view of the difficult conditions we face, Volkswagen is very well-positioned with respect to deliveries. How we bring the year to a close will now depend on December. We still need 530,000 deliveries to match last year’s record. In my opinion, we could succeed and perhaps even record slightly higher deliveries.”
Volkswagen brand to speed up operating return
The Volkswagen brand is to significantly improve its earnings performance in the coming years in order to finance investments in future technologies from its own resources. To this end, the model portfolio is being streamlined and the number of variants reduced. At the same time, productivity at the plants is to be increased and the platform orientation for vehicle production extended. Optimizing material costs is to contribute significantly to achieving the target return – without detracting from product substance. Administration processes will become even leaner. “We must force the pace of our transformation and become more efficient and agile. We cannot let up in our efforts and must realize further substantial improvements. What we have achieved so far is still not enough,” said Ralf Brandstätter, the brand’s Chief Operating Officer responsible for day-to-day business.
15 years of Volkswagen dual clutch gearboxes: DSG heralded the success story of automatic transmission in Europe
A drive revolution celebrates its birthday: Exactly 15 years ago, Volkswagen introduced the first dual clutch gearbox (DSG) for large-scale production. Automatic transmission for the modern age. More economical and sporty than any automatic gearbox before, the DSG changed the way gears are shifted, particularly in the compact class, and thus driving itself. Gears were almost always shifted manually before the DSG came along in 2003 and shifted gears faster than any driver could manage manually. To date, more than 26 million drivers of a Volkswagen and the Group models have opted for a dual clutch gearbox.
Volkswagen employee Ines Doberanzke-Milnikel is awarded Federal Cross of Merit for Memorial Site work
Ines Doberanzke-Milnikel (47) an employee of the Volkswagen Group from Beendorf (Börde District, Saxony-Anhalt), was today presented with the Federal Cross of Merit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin. Doberanzke-Milnikel , who holds degrees in social work and social management, was honored at Schloss Bellevue for her volunteering commitment with the Association of Friends of the International Youth Meeting Center Oświęcim/Auschwitz as well as her professional and social commitment with Volkswagen. The native of Magdeburg coordinates international exchange and encounter programs as well as Memorial Site work at Auschwitz with apprentices and managers for the Volkswagen Group.
CEO Dr. Herbert Diess visits Auschwitz Concentration Camp Memorial Site
On Friday, the CEO of the Volkswagen Group, Dr. Herbert Diess, visited Auschwitz Concentration Camp Memorial Site. Together with apprentices from five Volkswagen plants , Diess honored the memory of the one and a half million people murdered by the Nazi regime in Auschwitz. At the International Youth Meeting Center in Oświęcim/Auschwitz, Diess was received by 95-year-old contemporary witness Zofia Posmysz.
Electrifying a wide audience: Volkswagen ID. R crowned “Race Car of the Year” twice
Breath-taking all-time record at the legendary hill climb on Pikes Peak with a pioneering, fully-electric drivetrain and a spectacular look – the Volkswagen ID. R Pikes Peak has already justified the use of many superlatives. The 500-kW (680-PS) prototype sports car has now been crowned “Race Car of the Year” twice – by specialist German magazine Auto Bild Motorsport and by British car magazine BBC Top Gear. This recognition from two renowned and high-circulation magazines follows a year of success on the track.
New regenerative R33 BlueDiesel fuel helps reduce CO2 emissions of fleets
Test phase successfully completed: Volkswagen has been testing the newly developed R33 BlueDiesel fuel at its in-house filling station in Wolfsburg since January 2018. The innovative fuel enables CO2 savings of at least 20 percent compared to conventional diesel thanks to the use of biofuels. It also enables major customers to achieve climate protection goals with their fleets.
Charge your electric car while you shop: Volkswagen and Tesco now partners in the UK
Volkswagen is working to develop areawide charging infrastructure for electric cars. This is why the brand has embarked on a strategic partnership with the Tesco supermarket chain in the UK. Over the next three years, more than 2,400 electric vehicle charging bays are to be rolled out at 600 Tesco stores. The cooperation will create the largest electric vehicle charging network in the British retail sector. The stations are to be operated by Volkswagen and Pod Point, one of the leading providers of charging infrastructure in the UK.
VOLKSWAGEN ART 4 ALL initiative receives „Corporate Art Award“
Volkswagen‘s Cultural Engagement has been honored with the „Corporate Art Award” in Brussels. The prize was presented yesterday as part of the “Art Patrons of the XXI. Century” festivities in the European Parliament. The program’s founder and curator Luca Desiata from pptART®/LUISS Business School, representing the jury, acknowledged the role of the company, which “provides a large public with access to the arts and culture through VOLKSWAGEN ART 4 ALL”.
Beetle Final Edition – Premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2018
The Beetle, along with the the New Beetle, is a true icon in the history of automobile manufacture. Volkswagen of America, Inc. celebrates the last production year of the Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet with the “Final Edition” special models. The two particularly stylish Beetles will be presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2018 (28 Nov – 9 Dec 2018).
Works meeting in Wolfsburg: praise for team’s achievements and look ahead to electric strategy
At today’s works meeting held at the Wolfsburg plant, Board Member for Human Resources Gunnar Kilian and Works Council Chairman Bernd Osterloh commended the achievements of plant employees as well as the entire Volkswagen workforce. They commented that 2018 had been a very challenging year for the plant and the brand in general. Nevertheless, the team showed great dedication. At the same time, the brand was accelerating its transformation towards e-mobility.
"Open Source Lab" sets course for the mobility of the future
Yesterday, the "Open Source Lab for Sustainable Mobility" has started dialogue as a platform for sustainable mobility in Berlin. It is funded by the Volkswagen Group Sustainability Council, is independent in its research agenda and is obliged to publish all research results and other results.
Volkswagen to boost marketing efficiency
The Volkswagen brand plans to improve its marketing efficiency by about 30 percent by 2020 at the same time as keeping its marketing budget approximately stable at €1.5 billion. The digital share of the media mix is to grow to almost 50 percent by 2020. In 2015, the share was about 25 percent. Against the backdrop of an increasingly personalized way of addressing customers, the number of campaign elements such as films or advertisements will increase about fivefold. In future, the Volkswagen brand will reduce its global network of about 40 agencies to three lead agencies. The Omnicom Group is to be responsible for Europe and South America, and WPP for North America, while Cheil will continue to be active for the Volkswagen brand in China.
Volkswagen invests in digital specialist diconium
The Volkswagen Group is investing in the German digital specialist diconium and acquiring 49 percent of the shares in the com-pany. With this participation, the Volkswagen Group will be securing further know-how and strengthening its digital business capabilities. Together, the two companies will continue the development of Volkswagen’s business models and digital added-value services.
diconium will therefore become a key technology partner for the development of new digital services available via the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud. The completion of the participation transaction is still subject to approval by the anti-trust authorities.
New “Black Style” R-Line design package for the Tiguan SUV is now available to order
Drivers can now add a host of fashionable and sophisticated black features to their Tiguan with the new “Black Style” R-Line design package, making the compact SUV yet more elegant and dynamic-looking.
WLTP changeover slows deliveries by Volkswagen Group in October, as expected
As a result of the changeover to the new WLTP test procedure, the Volkswagen Group delivered fewer vehicles in October than in the
prior-year month. All in all, 846,300 vehicles were handed over to customers throughout the world, a fall of 10.0 percent. In the month under review, the fall in deliveries in Europe, at 15.6% compared with the previous year, was significantly less pronounced than in September. Double-digit growth was recorded in South America, contributing to an increase of 2.6 percent to 8.98 million vehicles delivered from January to October in a stagnating overall market. Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Group Sales: “As regards the WLTP changeover, we have already passed the low point in Europe. This positive devel-opment should continue in November and December as all our brands continue to make progress with the changeover of models to the new test cycle. For the year as a whole, we expect deliveries to slightly exceed the prior-year figure.“
Apprentices talk to Saxony’s Minister-President about Memorial Site work at Auschwitz, tolerance and respect
At the Transparent Factory in Dresden today, Volkswagen apprentices from Germany and Poland talked about their conservation work, encounters and experiences at Auschwitz Concentration Camp Memorial Site before an audience of employees and managers from Volkswagen Saxony. The Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, attended the event as guest of honor and discussed with the apprentices how young Poles and Germans understand history and can shape the future together. Other topics included cooperation between people from different cultures in international companies and the fundamental importance of tolerance and respect at the workplace and in public life.
Volkswagen Brand reaches milestone of 30 million deliveries in China
Volkswagen is speeding up its activities in China, re-energizing the brand under its Move Forward initiative. The brand’s product portfolio was strengthened with no less than 9 new models in 2018. Speaking at Auto Guangzhou 2018, Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Brand China, said, “We reached a fantastic milestone this November, as we delivered the 30 millionth Volkswagen – a Touareg – to a customer in China. And to remain the number one choice for Chinese car buyers, as we have been for many years, our product offensive will continue in 2019.”
Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG re-assigns responsibility for China Board of Management Division
The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has assigned responsibility for the China Board of Management Division to Dr. Herbert Diess, the Chairman of the Board of Management, in addition to his other duties. At the same time, the Volkswagen Group is reordering its management structure for the China region.
Volkswagen redefines plant assignment and focuses more closely on multi-brand plants
At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft approved the new plant assignment plans. The strategic plant assignment reflects the challenges of the next five years and lays the necessary foundations. The plants in Emden and Hanover will be converted to build electric vehicles: models from the ID. family will begin rolling off the assembly lines there from 2022. In order to serve growth in Europe going forward, the Group will be expanding its production capacity post-2022 with an additional plant in Eastern Europe.
Volkswagen is investing in the future
The Volkswagen Group is investing heavily in its future. Over the coming five years to the end of 2023, the Company will be spending almost €44 billion alone on the future issues of e-mobility, autonomous driving, new mobility services and digitalization in its vehicles and at its plants. This represents approximately one-third of total expenditure for the 2019-2023 planning period and is the outcome of the Group’s planning round, which has now been completed and was discussed and endorsed by the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft at its meeting today.
New Faces of Mobility: Volkswagen Group China drives forth rapid electrification and digitalization
Under the headline “New Faces of Mobility”, Volkswagen Group China presented today at its Media Workshop an all-encompassing plan for e-mobility, advanced mobility solutions, autonomous driving, and a raft of exciting new products. On the eve of Guangzhou Auto Show the Group impressively demonstrated to nearly 300 media and business partners how it is shaping the new era of mobility. “When it comes to the future of mobility, Volkswagen Group China again wants to take the pioneering role as we did from the very start together with our Chinese partners,” said Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft as well as President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.
Volkswagen brand drives SUV strategy in China further forward and creates complete offer for all classes
As a run-up to this year’s Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, the Volkswagen brand presented its SUV model series for the Chinese market. Auto-China Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition is one of China’s largest international auto shows. As part of its Chinese “Move Forward” brand initiative, Volkswagen is energising not only its brand, but also its products. The current Chinese SUV family, consisting of six models, is a good example of this: The currently available models Tiguan and Teramont and the new generation of the top-of-the-line Touareg will be joined this year on the Chinese market by three completely new SUV models: T-Roc, Tayron and Tharu.
Volkswagen to make Zwickau vehicle plant Europe’s top-performing electric car factory
The Volkswagen brand is moving forward with its electric offensive and gradually creating the production capacity needed for building more than 1 million electric cars per year throughout the world from 2025. The Group’s largest and highest-performance electric car plant is currently being created in Zwickau: in future, up to 330,000 electric models per year are to roll off the production line there – more than at any other plant of the Volkswagen Group. As the first high-volume automaker in the world, Volkswagen is therefore converting an entire plant from the internal combustion engine to e-mobility. Currently, the Golf and Golf Estate are produced at Zwickau. At the end of 2019, in slightly more than a year, the production of the ID., Volkswagen’s first electric model based on the new modular electric toolkit (MEB), is due to start at Zwickau. In the final stage of development, six electric models of three Group brands are to be produced at the plant from 2021 onwards.
Volkswagen implements electric strategy consistently
Following Zwickau, Volkswagen intends to change its plants at Emden and Hanover in Germany over to the production of electric vehicles. After Zwickau, Volkswagen is there-fore establishing its second e-mobility center in Germany in Lower Saxony. CEO Dr. Her-bert Diess: “Volkswagen is implementing its electric offensive consistently. We are orient-ing the company towards clean mobility. This way, we are also ensuring sustainable pro-spects for the future of the two plants.” At a works meeting held on Wednesday in Emden, HR Board Member Gunnar Kilian outlined the principles of the project to employees. In Hanover, the Chairman of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Dr. Thomas Sedran, presented the plans. The orientation towards the production of innovative electric vehicles is part of the plant allocation plans on which the Supervisory Board will decide in Wolfsburg on Friday.
Volkswagen nominates further battery cell supplier
With the South Korean battery cell manufacturer SK Innovation (SKI), the Volkswagen Group has named a further strategic supplier for electric vehicles based on the Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB). SKI will supply the batteries for North America and a share of the batteries for the production of Volkswagen Group full-electric vehicles in Europe. The most important strategic suppliers of battery cells for the equipment of the Group’s rapidly glowing electric fleet in the major regions of the world have therefore been nominated.
Volkswagen deliveries are down in October
At 516,900 vehicles, worldwide deliveries by the Volkswagen brand in October were 6.2 percent below the figure for October 2017. This development was mainly due to the continuing reluctance of purchasers in China as a result of the trade dispute with the USA. In Europe, as expected, deliveries continued to be affected by the WLTP changeover, although the impact was significantly less marked than in September. Strong positive impetus came from Brazil (+61.8 percent) and Russia (+23.9 percent). In the year to date, Volkswagen has handed over a total of 5.14 million vehicles to customers, a record figure for January to October. Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales Jürgen Stackmann: “We are making good progress with the WLTP changeover of our model range and deliveries in Europe were affected much less severely in October than in September. We expect this recovery to continue in November and December. All in all, we face a challenging market environment throughout the world. It is therefore all the more gratifying to note that our deliveries from January to October were almost two percent higher than the record figure reported by the brand for the corresponding period in 2017.“
Volkswagen Fellow explores KW Institute for Contemporary Art’s archive in Berlin
Volkswagen Group and KW Institute for Contemporary Art have granted a VW Fellowship with a focus on archival research. Following the longstanding tradition of VW Fellows, Jenny Dirksen took up work as the new VW Fellow in Berlin.
The new season begins for Volkswagen Sunday Sessions at MoMA PS1 in New York
MoMA PS1 kicked off the new season of VW Sunday Sessions with the performance "Pendulum Music: An Arrangement for Four Performers and Geodesic Dome" by Jeremy Toussaint-Baptiste on 21 October. This series supported by Volkswagen Group of America will now be entering its seventh year and offers a variety of encounters with contemporary performance and media art.
New pick-up concept: World première of the Tarok Concept in São Paulo
Volkswagen is today unveiling the Tarok Concept to the world at the São Paulo International Motor Show (6 to 18 November). The all-wheel drive all-rounder combines the progressive features of the latest generation of digitally networked SUVs with the versatility of a cleverly designed five-metre pick-up. Its innovative new features include a large variable loading area, which can be extended thanks to the folding rear panel in the spacious four-door double cab. As with the technical layout, the Tarok Concept has been designed from scratch down to the very last millimetre.
New IT center in Lisbon for the Volkswagen Group
The Volkswagen Group continues to expand its software competence and is forging ahead with its digital transformation. On Tuesday in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, Volkswagen inaugurated the “Software Development Center Lisbon” (SDC Lisbon) in the presence of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. In Lissabon, 300 IT specialists are to develop software mainly for the digital ecosystems and internal corporate processes of the Group. 100 of these specialists are to work on cloud-based services specifically for the commercial vehicle sector for MAN Truck & Bus.
Volkswagen and Autostadt host 9th Global Social Business Summit
Mobility solutions that are both democratic and sustainable, measures to strengthen solidarity amidst growing worldwide insecurity, ways of understanding sports as a socially connective force – these and other aspects are the key issues of this year’s Global Social Business Summit (GSBS), which will be taking place in the Autostadt Wolfsburg this week. Since its inception in 2009, Volkswagen Group supports the conference for the third time. “I am sure that the Global Social Business Summit will not only inspire the Volkswagen Group in an important phase of its trans-formation, but also signal far beyond Wolfsburg for a global shift in thinking towards socially and ethically responsible business models.", says HR board member Gunnar Kilian. The Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg alone already obtains components and pre-assembly services from almost 40 social institutions in the region, such as deaconries, counseling and social welfare organisations.
Volkswagen remains on track for growth despite a challenging environment
In the first three quarters of the current fiscal year 2018, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand continued to develop well in a challenging market environment. Following the first nine months of the year, the deliveries and sales revenue of the Volkswagen Group’s lead brand remain above the prior-year level. With 4.6 million vehicles handed over to customers (+2.9 percent), these were the most successful first nine months that the brand has ever experienced. Driven by higher sales and an improved product mix, the Volkswagen brand was able to boost sales revenue by 7.3 percent to €62.5 billion. At €2.3 billion, the operating profit before special items was slightly below the prior-year level (€2.5 billion) as a result of factors including the expected impact of the WLTP changeover and higher distribution expenses in connection with the environmental incentive. Operating return on sales was 3.7 percent, compared with the figure of 4.3 percent for the prior-year period. The diesel issue gave rise to special items of €-1.6 billion (2017: €-2.6 billion).
Volkswagen ensures intelligent traffic management with quantum computers
The Volkswagen Group is making further progress with its work with quantum computers. For the first time, Volkswagen experts have succeeded in using a quantum computer to develop a traffic management system that will replace forecasting for urban traffic volumes, transport demand and travel times with precise calculations. As a result, public transportation organizations, taxi companies, and transport service providers will be able to deploy their fleets considerably more efficiently while minimizing waiting times for passengers. Volkswagen and quantum computing company D-Wave are presenting the project at the WebSummit technology conference in Lisbon.