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Press Releases
This section contains all current press releases on topics and news items concerning Volkswagen.
Volkswagen places software developers in pole position with its “Faculty 73“ project
Volkswagen is transforming itself from an automaker into a mobility provider and is now forcing the pace with the implementation of its strategy: in future, the company will be training hundreds of software developers itself. This is the objective of the innovative “Faculty 73” program which the Volkswagen Group Academy has developed specifi-cally for this purpose. Training for the first group of participants is to start in the spring of 2019 and the application and selection phase will start in October 2018. The program will prepare trainees for work as a software developer with Volkswagen and is intended for people who have completed their vocational training and have IT skills as well as internal and external applicants with appropriate qualifications. A de-gree is not required.
Volkswagen receives awards from auto motor und sport magazine for exceptional design and interconnected technology
Readers of auto motor und sport magazine have selected the Volkswagen up! GTI to receive the ‘autonis’ award for design excellence, with the model coming top of its category. Volkswagen tasted further success with the We Park parking app, which received the Car Connectivity Award during the event.
The new ID. chassis: unveiling the world’s most innovative electric vehicle family
The veil has been lifted: Volkswagen has presented the chassis of its new electric model family ID.* for the first time – and offered an initial look at its unique platform strategy for electric cars that the brand will use to turn its vision “ELECTRIC FOR ALL” into a reality. The modular electric drive matrix (MEB) that serves as the foundation of the ID. chassis is a totally unique selling proposition for Volkswagen. It also clearly demonstrates the commitment that the Wolfsburg-based company has made to electromobility.
WRC comeback with Volkswagen: Petter Solberg to drive the new Polo GTI R5 in Spain
He’s back! 2003 champion Petter Solberg (N) returns to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. Solberg and co-driver Veronica Engan (N) will compete in the WRC 2 class at the Rally Spain in Catalonia from 25 to 28 October. Six years after his last rally in 2012, the Norwegian will make his comeback in precisely the same place, at which he called time on his rally career. Solberg, who drives a Polo for his PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WRX), will briefly change fields. The Polo GTI R5 will make its competitive debut at the Rally Spain, which will be the car’s only outing with the Volkswagen works team. The R5 rally car will then be run by customer teams in national and international championships.
New Touareg receives five-star top rating in Euro NCAP
Top marks for Volkswagen's Touareg: the European consumer protection organisation Euro NCAP has awarded the new luxury class model the maximum possible rating of five stars. In the eyes of the independent crash test experts, the SUV performed excellently in all categories.
Modified Jetta breaks the speed record in its class in the USA with 338 km/h
Volkswagen of America has demonstrated the potential of the new Jetta at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA. Here a specially equipped Jetta broke the previous world speed record of its class for land vehicles with 338 km/h. Only a few weeks after the success of the electrically powered I.D R Pikes Peak at the “Race To The Clouds” in the Rocky Mountains and at Goodwood Hill Climb in the UK, Volkswagen has secured its third record.
TRATON GROUP and Solera launch strategic partnership to shape the digital world in transportation and logistics
Today, at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Germany, TRATON AG (“TRATON”) and Solera Holdings, Inc. (“Solera”) announced a strategic partnership aimed to shape the future digital landscape of global transportation and logistics. This collaboration includes fleet management, driver services and digital sales solutions for participants in the global commercial vehicle ecosystem.
TRATON and Chinese Sinotruk significantly expand strategic partnership
TRATON GROUP and Chinese CNHTC Group announced a further expansion of their long-term partnership today. MAN and Sinotruk have been working together highly successfully since 2009 and have agreed to broaden this cooperation by establishing a joint venture to localize a MAN heavy-duty truck in China and evaluating and intensifying technology and procurement cooperation. Since the beginning of the partnership, MAN has held a 25% stake plus one share in Sinotruk, one of the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturers in China.
Uncompromising e-mobility: World premiere of the modular electric drive matrix – Volkswagen launches ELECTRIC FOR ALL campaign
Volkswagen is driving the transition to e-mobility with a consistency and commitment unlike that of virtually any other automaker. As part of the ELECTRIC FOR ALL campaign launched today, the brand will be putting attractive models at affordable prices on the road, paving the way for the breakthrough of electric vehicles. The electric offensive is based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB), a technology platform developed specifically for electric vehicles. Production of the Volkswagen ID., the world’s first series vehicle based on the MEB, will begin in Zwickau at the end of 2019. At the launch of the ELECTRIC FOR ALL campaign, media representatives from all over the world are being given their first deep insight into the technological basis of the ID. at a media workshop in the Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden, where Volkswagen is demonstrating the centerpiece of the MEB – the rolling chassis without the bodywork and interior – exactly as it will be used in series models. Volkswagen is also seizing the initiative when it comes to charging infrastructure: a design prototype of the “Volks-Wallbox” is also being premiered in Dresden. This Wallbox is an affordable home system that makes charging the ID. family easy and convenient.
TRATON AG and Hino join forces in e-mobility and plan to establish procurement joint venture
TRATON AG and Hino Motors Ltd. (“Hino”) today announced new details on their strategic partnership. Both partners have agreed on two strategic initiatives: to join forces in e-mobility and the plan to establish a procurement joint venture.
Volkswagen is pushing forward preparations for potential IPO of TRATON GROUP
Volkswagen is pushing forward preparations for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO) of TRATON GROUP. Further steps to this end were decided by the Volkswagen AG Supervisory Board in today’s meeting. TRATON GROUP will now strengthen the team preparing a potential IPO with external experts. For this purpose, investment banks and legal advisors will be mandated in a timely manner.
Volkswagen Group expands its activities for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
The Volkswagen Group is presenting its activities in the intelligent transport of people and goods at the 25th ITS World Congress in Copenhagen (17 – 21 September 2018). As a member of ERTICO – ITS Europe, a network of more than 100 partners, the Group and its brands are partnering actively with cities to implement concrete projects shaping urban mobility – from Järfälla near Stockholm through Hamburg and Barcelona to Somerville in the USA. E-mobility, autonomous driving, digitalisation and connectivity of all transport systems and new mobility services are important levers to make the mobility of people and goods in cities more sustainable, more efficient, cleaner and safer.
Holger B. Santel to head Sales and Marketing Germany at Volkswagen brand passenger cars
Holger B. Santel, currently Executive Vice President of SAIC Volkswagen in China, is to head Sales and Marketing Germany at the Volkswagen brand passenger cars. In this function he succeeds Thomas Zahn, who is getting ready for other assignments in the Volkswagen Group. Santel will assume responsibility for the Volkswagen brand’s business in Germany effective Nobember 1st, 2018.
Business for the benefit of society: Volkswagen and Autostadt to co-host the “Friends of Social Business Lab”
Inspired by concepts of the renowned economist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the “Friends of Social Business Lab” is set to celebrate its premiere Wolfsburg. The cultural center Hallenbad is being turned into a think tank focusing on new business models which are built around social problems.
Volkswagen expands production in China
With the opening of three new FAW-Volkswagen vehicle plants at three locations – in Qingdao, Foshan and Tianjin – as well as the Volkswagen FAW Platform Tianjin Branch component plant, the Volkswagen Group is strengthening its localisation strategy in China. With the opening of a second vehicle production plant in Foshan, a mega plant has been built at the South Chinese location. In addition, vehicle and component plants in Tianjin, northern China, were bundled at a single location. Together with the existing gearbox plant, further synergies will be used there to increase production efficiency. All four new factories significantly increase the flexibility of Volkswagen Group China to react more quickly to customer needs. At the recently opened FAW-Volkswagen factory in Tianjin alone, over 300,000 SUVs will roll off the assembly line each year, thus forming the basis for Volkswagen Group China's SUV campaign. With an annual production capacity now of 600,000 vehicles per year, the Foshan plant plays a pioneering role in the Volkswagen Group's electrification strategy ("Roadmap E"). In Qingdao, too, electrified vehicles will be able to roll off the assembly line alongside cars with combustion engines in future.
August was successful month for Volkswagen Group: 6.8 percent increase in worldwide deliveries
August was a successful month for the Volkswagen Group: Group brands delivered a total of 875,300 vehicles to customers, a rise of 6.8 percent. Europe was the region with the strongest growth: 327,700 vehicles were handed over to customers there, an increase of 21.0 percent compared with August 2017. The strong performance in August continued the Volkswagen Group’s dynamic development since the beginning of the year. However, Head of Group Sales Fred Kappler expects deliveries in September and October to be lower as a result of the changeover from the NEDC to the WLTP test procedure. “We are doing everything we can to catch up on delivery delays as fast as possible”, Fred Kappler said. “Positive business so far this year will help us cushion the effects of the WLTP changeover.”
Volkswagen Group’s new importer contracts pave the way for digitalization
The Audi, ŠKODA, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Volkswagen Passenger Cars brands, together with their partners from ten European importers, signed the new importer contracts in Wolfsburg this week. Contracts with the Group’s own companies in a further 15 markets were also exchanged. As a result, the Volkswagen Group has agreed new contracts for almost all European markets. Some 4.1 million vehicles were delivered in these markets, including the home market of Germany, in 2017. The contracts are an important strategic milestone for the Volkswagen Group and define a new joint business model that is shaped in particular by ongoing digitalization. Going forward, manufacturer, importer and dealer will jointly communicate with customers, speaking with one voice across all contact points. The contracts are also an important prerequisite for marketing the Volkswagen Group’s new all-electric, fully-connected vehicles and come into effect starting in April 2020 in good time for the market launch of these models.
This is what the future sounds like: Volkswagen conducts the "Art x Tech" Panel in Beijing
Well-known experts from the worlds of music, science and technology have come together today on the invitation of Volkswagen Group China at the "Art x Tech" Panel to discuss music, artificial intelligence and the future of mobility. A series of panel discussions will explore questions such as how new interactive encounters with music will affect future mobility in fully autonomous vehicles. As part of the program, potential applications will demonstrate how cultural experiences in a progressively technology-driven environment can be optimized and enriched.
Volkswagen closes QuantumScape transaction
The Volkswagen Group has concluded the planned increase in its stake in the California technology company QuantumScape. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) had no objection to the transaction. Volkswagen is investing 100 million USD in the battery specialist, thus becoming its largest automotive shareholder. Volkswagen will now take a seat on the board of directors of QuantumScape. Furthermore, Volkswagen and QuantumScape have formed a joint venture to enable an industrial level of production of solid-state batteries.
PhD Event focuses on e-mobility and digitalization
Some 700 specialist visitors found out more about the latest research projects at the Volkswagen Group’s 2018 PhD Event. The motto of this, the 13th Group-wide PhD Event, was “Researching Towards Tomorrow”. A total of 345 young scientists are currently working on their doctoral theses in the Volkswagen Group, and 94 of them presented their work today at the MobileLifeCampus in Wolfsburg. The focus topics were e-mobility, digitalization, lightweight design, environmental and resource efficiency.
Volkswagen’s success continues in August
The Volkswagen brand handed over 513,300 vehicles to customers worldwide in August, representing an increase of 3.7 percent compared with the same month of the previous year and a new record for the month of August. All in all, 4,137,900 vehicles were delivered from January to August, a rise of 6.2 percent compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, and a further record. Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, commented: “August was another strong month for the Volkswagen brand in many markets: we posted record deliveries for the month of August and for the period January-August. We will be able to deliver far fewer vehicles in Europe in September due to the changeover to the WLTP test procedure. October will also get off to a subdued start, but we are expecting a strong performance from the Volkswagen brand in November and December in particular.”
Works meeting in Wolfsburg: team praised for improving efficiency and productivity
At today’s works meeting held at the Wolfsburg plant, Board Member for Human Resources Gunnar Kilian, Group and General Works Council Chairman Bernd Osterloh and Group Board of Management Member Oliver Blume thanked employees for their commitment in the first half of 2018. 34 special shifts were worked at the Wolfsburg plant in the first two quarters alone, and several thousand vehicles were produced and stored on an interim basis due to the WLTP test procedure ready for delivery once approvals have been issued by the authorities. Kilian underscored that Volkswagen will not let up in its efficiency efforts. Osterloh called for clarity for the workforce about plant operation in the 4th quarter. Blume emphasized that Group Production sees itself as a driver for efficiency, and gives the Group a clear competitive edge.
Andreas Mühe in Beijing: Volkswagen supports the first solo exhibition of the photographer in China
The famous photographer Andreas Mühe opened his first solo exhibition at the Red Brick Art Museum in Beijing today. The realization of this comprehensive show was made possible through the support of the Volkswagen Group and Volkswagen Group China. The exhibition, lasting until October 21, will provide the Chinese public another opportunity to experience influential and contemporary German art.
Ready for mass production: Volkswagen uses the latest 3D printing process for production
Volkswagen is the first automotive manufacturer using the latest 3D printing technology: the “HP Metal Jet” process simplifies and speeds up metallic 3D printing. The biggest advantage: productivity improves fifty times compared to other 3D printing methods and depending on the component. Hence, for the first time, three-dimensional printing is mass production ready in automotive industry. Together with printer manufacturer HP and component manufacturer GKN Powder Metallurgy, Volkswagen is therefore pressing ahead with the development of the technology for mass production. The partners presented the new process for the first time at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago.
"2018 Beetle Sunshine Tour to Wolfsburg": Thousands are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the New Beetle
"2018 Beetle Sunshine Tour to Wolfsburg" – this was the motto on this Saturday for the 14th great Beetle, New Beetle and Beetle Community gathering. This year's event centred around the 20th anniversary of the New Beetle. A contemporary classic on the way to becoming a genuine classic. Like the original Beetle. Beetle, New Beetle and original Beetle – three generations of a compact, timeless Volkswagen with friends in all four corners of the world. Thousands of these aficionados flocked to Wolfsburg on saturday to celebrate one of the most likeable icons of automotive history.
Volkswagen sends out a clear signal in Chemnitz against xenophobia, discrimination, exclusion
Volkswagen Board members, Works Council members and employees sent out a clear signal against discrimination, xenophobia and exclusion at an information event at the Chemnitz engine plant on Friday. At the same time, they spoke up clearly respectful in favor of diversity and a respectful partnership with one another. For Volkswagen, these are unshakeable principles.
Dr. Christian Dahlheim to head Group Sales
Dr. Christian Dahlheim, currently Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Financial Services AG with responsibility for Sales, has been appointed Head of Group Sales effective October 1, 2018. He succeeds Fred Kappler, who is taking retirement. The Chairman of Volkswagen Financial Services AG, Lars Henner Santelmann, will assume responsibility for Dahlheim’s current function in addition to his own duties.
Volkswagen's incubator program goes international: six new start-ups move into the Gläserne Manufaktur
The start-up program in the "Future Mobility Incubator" at the Gläserne Manufaktur is striking out in new directions. For the first time, Volkswagen has only selected international start-ups, at pitch competitions held in Tel Aviv, Prague, London, Riga, and Hanover: CarPay-Diem comes from Luxembourg, Zouzoucar from France, carVertical from Lithuania, ToporAuto from Russia, Make My Day from Israel, and Go To-U from Ukraine. They are now working at the Gläserne Manufaktur where they are able to develop their ideas to market readiness with support from Volkswagen and the city of Dresden’s business development team.
Addition to the SUV family in the Middle East: Volkswagen launches new seven-seater Teramont
Volkswagen will launch its new Teramont SUV in the Middle East. As a seven-seater, it is the first Volkswagen of its kind in this region. Its American counterpart – named Volkswagen Atlas – has already won several awards. Since 2017, the large SUV has also stirred great interest among customers in China. This titan of the road is now forging ahead as part of Volkswagen's SUV success story.
Stylish and high-quality: R-Line exterior package now also available for the up!
Even more self-confident, even more striking, even more dynamic: Volkswagen has now started the advance sale of the up! R-Line exterior package, which gives the popular small car a clearly sportier look.
Curriculum vitae: Dr. Stefan Sommer
Group Board Member for Components and Procurement.
Volkswagen expands its engagement in Africa: memorandums of understanding signed with Ghana and Nigeria
During German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Africa, Volkswagen signed two memorandums of understanding with the governments of Ghana and Nigeria. The stated goal is to build plants in both countries and to explore the development of new mobility solutions in Ghana. The document was signed in Ghana in the presence of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. The Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah attended the signing ceremony in Abuja. The Head of the Volkswagen Sub-Saharan Region, Thomas Schaefer, signed both agreements on behalf of Volkswagen.
Volkswagen Group has redesigned its website for fleet customers
The Volkswagen Group has redesigned, www.volkswagenag.com/en/group/fleet-customer.html the website for national and international fleet managers, and integrated this theme in the Group’s overall online presence. The aim is to network information on fleet business with general information about the Group, thus offering fleet customers even more added value.
Volkswagen Classic at GTI Coming Home 2018 in Wolfsburg: Seven icons with three letters
For the second time, Wolfsburg is hosting a full day devoted to the legendary Volkswagen sports car, which, since 1976, has been more synonymous with power, driving pleasure and attitude than virtually any other car – the Golf GTI. Volkswagen Classic is represented by all seven generations of the GTI family on 1 September. The powerful Golf Mk2 Pikes Peak and rally ace Jochi Kleint will also be attending the GTI meet in Wolfsburg.
The new T-Cross trailer – "I am cool": Volkswagen designers survey the world of compact SUVs
The countdown for the launch of the new T-Cross has started: The world première of the most compact Volkswagen SUV ever will be celebrated in autumn. The slogan "I am more" will accompany the launch in spring 2019. It stands for the four property fields "I am practical", "I am cool", "I am intuitive" and "I am safe". With a trailer for "I am cool", Volkswagen is now showing how the T-Cross designers have surveyed the world again and developed a new, urban generation of the Sport Utility Vehicle.
Transforming Transportation: Volkswagen Truck & Bus is now TRATON GROUP
As of today, one of the world’s leading transportation groups has a new brand identity: Volkswagen Truck & Bus AG has become TRATON AG.
Beetle Sunshine Tour to Wolfsburg 2018: Community celebrates the 20th birthday of the New Beetle
The Beetle Sunshine Tour is the largest meeting of the Beetle, New Beetle and Käfer community in Europe. For the first time, the festival in 2018 will not take place in Lübeck, but in Wolfsburg and thereby in the heart of the Volkswagen world. For good reason, because the New Beetle presented in 1998 is celebrating its 20th birthday and because it was the impetus for the first Beetle Sunshine Tour in 2004. The organisers have therefore moved the meeting to the Autostadt without further ado. That's why the motto is "Beetle Sunshine Tour to Wolfsburg". It starts on 8 September at 10:00 a.m. Highlight: a convoy of all participating Beetles, New Beetles and Käfer right through the centre of the Volkswagen plant.
Volkswagen reinforces competences in highly automated driving
The Volkswagen Group has acquired a minority stake in the technology development com-pany FDTech GmbH. The company, which has its headquarters in Chemnitz and was estab-lished in 2017, currently employs about 30 experts and develops algorithms for systems in the field of automated and autonomous driving.
Dr. Frank Welsch: “The success on Pikes Peak is of long-term importance”
The Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak made history with its record-breaking run at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on 24 June: the first fully-electric racing car from Wolfsburg conquered the 19.99-kilometre route in 7:57.148 minutes. However, the 500-kW (680-PS) I.D. R Pikes Peak is far more than just a record holder – it is the sporty ambassador for the I.D. family, Volkswagen’s range of fully-electric production vehicles, which will hit the market from 2020 onwards. In an interview, Dr. Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand with responsibility for Technical Development, speaks about what this means for the future, the challenges faced when developing the I.D. R Pikes Peak, and the strategy behind competing at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Volkswagen’s digital transformation gathers speed
Volkswagen in transition: the company is speeding up the development of its ecosystem with its own software know-how and the strength of external partners. The automobile will evolve into a central hub in the Internet of Things.
Volkswagen starts “We Share” e-mobility car sharing in Berlin
The Volkswagen brand is to launch an extensive all-electric car sharing offering in selected major cities under its “We Share” sub-brand. The first fleet of vehicles will be rolled out in the German capital Berlin, and will comprise 1,500 e-Golf when the service begins operating in the second quarter of 2019, with an additional 500 e-up! following later. These vehicles will gradually be replaced by the first models from the new Volkswagen I.D. family from 2020. Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, commented: “We want to motivate young, urban users to engage with e-mobility. The people of Berlin will be the first to enjoy the electrifying experience of our ’We Share’ car sharing offering.”
Monterey Car Week: Volkswagen showcases Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas Tanoak Concept in California
At Monterey Car Week (21 – 26 August) in California Volkswagen will be showcasing two German/US American studies on the basis of the Atlas SUV: the Atlas Tanoak Concept pick-up and the dynamic SUV Atlas Cross Sport. The progressively designed and developed all-wheel drive models illustrate the potential that lies within the Atlas range. Klaus Bischoff, Head Designer at Volkswagen: "Thanks to the Atlas Cross Sport we are introducing a high design standard to the full-size SUV category. The Atlas Tanoak is our version of the American dream – a genuine pick-up with clear-cut Volkswagen elements and a futuristic, digital vehicle interior architecture."
Volkswagen Truck & Bus AG resolves extraordinary termination of the domination and profit transfer agreement (BGAV) with MAN SE
In today’s meeting, the management of Volkswagen Truck & Bus AG (soon transforming into TRATON AG) has resolved the extraordinary termination of the domination and profit transfer agreement (BGAV) with MAN SE, dated April 26, 2013, with effect from January 1, 2019.
German première of the Golf GTI TCR Concept at “GTI Coming Home Wolfsburg 2018”
For the second year in a row, the GTI “Coming Home” meet will take place in Wolfsburg. GTI fans and visitors will be able to access the event area in the Volkswagen Arena and the Autostadt from 10 am on 1 September 2018. To bridge the gap until the next GTI meet in Wörthersee (Austria) in May 2019, Volkswagen is once again inviting fans to join the company in Wolfsburg at the end of the summer. In addition to a varied supporting programme for the whole family, a very special GTI procession is also planned as a highlight. Fans can drive their own GTIs through the Volkswagen plant where the first Golf GTI rolled off the production line in 1976.
Ambev Brewery will have more than 1/3 of its third-party fleet composed by electric trucks by 2023
Ambev, owner of brands such as Skol, Brahma, Antarctica and Guaraná, announced that by 2023, it will use 1,600 electric trucks made by Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus to transport beverages. With the partnership, about 35% of the fleet serving the brewery will consist of clean energy-powered vehicles, no longer emitting over 30.4K tons of carbon in its logistic chain per year. The deal is the VWCO’s largest for the cargo segment this year.
California Dreamin’ – with the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak
Two months after the historic, record-breaking triumph at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the I.D. R Pikes Peak is set to make a first return visit to the United States: the first fully electrically-driven race car from Volkswagen will be appearing at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on 26 August. The globally renowned event is one of a kind, a unique exhibition – for exceptional historic automobiles and for innovative concept cars. It represents the highlight of the Pebble Beach Automotive Week, which is taking place this year from 21 to 26 August.
Volkswagen on tour this summer at the 2018 Sachsen Classic
Once again this year, more than 20 classic cars from the Volkswagen Group and Autostadt collections will be making an appearance at the Sachsen Classic. Volkswagen’s Zwickau and Chemnitz production plants will be the start and finish of the long-running regularity rally taking place from 23 to 25 August.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: reduced weight thanks to on-board power generation
For a fully-electric racing car like the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, the weight of the battery is especially important: it is the heaviest individual component – and each increase in weight has a detrimental effect on the car’s performance. It was logical for the Volkswagen Motorsport engineers to keep the batteries as small and light as possible in the record-breaking car. In addition to the sophisticated, weight-saving lithium-ion design, they are relying on technology that is already implemented in numerous electrically-driven production models: recuperation.
Volkswagen Group deliveries grow 10.6 percent in July
The Volkswagen Group and its brands continued on their growth path at the start of the second half-year. Deliveries in July rose 10.6 percent to 908,200 new vehicles. Over 6.4 million vehicles have been handed over to customers since the beginning of the year – 7.5 percent higher than the comparable period in 2017. “July was a strong month for the Group with all brands reporting clear gains. This is to some extent due to a one-off effect – namely the brands’ special sales programs for NEDC vehicles”, Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales at Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, said. “Looking ahead, the challenges remain. We are working flat out to keep the anticipated effects of the new WLTP testing procedure in the coming months as low as possible”, Kappler added.
Volkswagen plans to produce some 1 million vehicles in Wolfsburg
Looking to the future, production volumes at the main plant in Wolfsburg are to rise to around one million. Higher productivity will enable higher capacity utilization. The groundwork is being laid in Wolfsburg in order to bundle Golf production at one location as set out in the Pact for the Future. Coinciding with the launch of the Golf 8, Golf production in Zwickau and Puebla is to be relocated to the main plant. The new SEAT Tarraco will also begin rolling off the assembly line in Wolfsburg soon. Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Production and Logistics, commented: “We are planning to increase productivity by 25 percent at all German factories by 2020 as agreed. Further efforts are needed at Volkswagen in future to remain competitive, particularly post-2020.”
Volkswagen to continue support for Formula Student Germany in next racing season
Volkswagen is continuing its involvement in Formula Student Germany (FSG) in the next racing season and will once again sponsor selected university teams entering the international design competition. In future, the company will focus more strongly on the “Driverless” category than has previously been the case in order to bring the innovation areas of electric drive systems and autonomous driving even closer together. At the Hockenheimring, the company also recruits new career entrants. Trainees and interns who were active in Formula Student have repeatedly joined Volkswagen.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: 4.000 kilometres of test drives
It was all over after exactly 7:57.148 minutes. With Romain Dumas at the wheel, the I.D. R Pikes Peak crossed the finish line in the world’s most famous hill climb. A record-breaking sprint that lasted 19.99 kilometres, preceded by numerous tests over a distance of 4,000 kilometres – spread over six months.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: teamwork between racers and technicians from production development
Motorsport is a team sport. At the same time, the individual team members sometimes do their thing on different playing fields – under certain circumstances, they can usually be found playing a completely different sport. A prime example of this is the I.D. R Pikes Peak, with which Volkswagen driver Romain Dumas set a new record of 7:57.148 minutes at the most famous hill climb in the world on 24 June 2018. As well as Volkswagen Motorsport, a whole host of departments from within the Volkswagen Group were involved in making the project a success. “The help we received from production development was crucial to the success,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets.
The new T-Cross – “I am practical”: Small SUV stands out with high level of variability
It is Volkswagen’s smallest SUV and yet it has what it takes to become a great one: the new T-Cross. It is still under wraps, but the development to series production is running at full speed. The world première will take place this autumn and the launch will follow in spring 2019. Until then, Volkswagen will give more and more details about the new small but great SUV. Just like now with the clip in which professional players from the “Grizzlys Wolfsburg” ice hockey team throw all their equipment into the T-Cross which easily fits the equipment plus players.
Volkswagen continues growth in July
The Volkswagen brand continues on its growth path: with 505,900 vehicles delivered in July, the brand reported a rise of 8.4 percent compared with the same month of the previous year. All in all, the brand handed 3,624,600 cars over to customers from January to July, representing an increase of 6.5 percent compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales: “This was the best July in the history of the Volkswagen brand. We are continuing our upward trend and are significantly ahead of the prior-year figure after seven months. With cumulative deliveries of 3.6 million vehicles, we have outperformed the Volkswagen brand’s previous record for this period. However, the next few months will be more challenging. The changeover to the WLTP test procedure will probably lead to delays in deliveries affecting certain model lines in Europe.”
Online now: Volkswagen launches digital newsroom
Volkswagen announces the launch of a new digital offering for journalists, bloggers, online multipliers and brand fans: starting today, the Volkswagen Newsroom (www.volkswagen-newsroom.com) brings users the most important information, stories, images, videos and social media content from the world of Volkswagen. The new online service offers media professionals a central research and information platform and brings brand fans an interactive brand experience.
High-tech for the future: Volkswagen Design focuses on working digitally
LED screens, interactive design, collaboration in virtual reality: Volkswagen Design is forging ahead with the process of digital transformation and has completely changed its working methods over the past two years. And with success: from the creation of new products right up to the point of their acceptance, work is now consistently carried out digitally, which significantly increases the efficiency of individual work steps and facilitates collaboration across locations. The new processes also give employees much more room for personal and professional development.
Volkswagen aims to break the land speed record on the United States salt flats with its new Jetta
Volkswagen is still on the hunt for new records: only a few weeks after the success of the electric I.D. R Pikes Peak in the “Race To The Clouds” held in the Rocky Mountains and in the UK’s Goodwood Hill Climb and it’s already time for the next sporting highlight. Between 11 and 17 August, Volkswagen of America will be aiming to break the land speed record in the BGC/G class of the Southern California Timing Association on Lake Bonneville – the salt flats in the US state of Utah – with its specially prepared but near-production version of the new-generation Jetta.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: Pacemaker Dieter Depping, test and development driver
He is the unsung hero and secret pacemaker behind the successful Pikes Peak project: Dieter Depping. The man from Hannover (Germany), who celebrates his 52nd birthday today on 7 August, has been a motorsport test and development driver for Volkswagen for 16 years. Without him, the twelve titles in the World Rally Championship (WRC), a further two titles in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WRX), the three Dakar victories with the Race Touareg, and the many class wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours would have been inconceivable. Or, as Romain Dumas puts it: “Dieter was my second throttle foot. Without him, the record on Pikes Peak would not have been possible”. The fact that this quote from Dumas came just moments after the ground-breaking 7:57.148 minutes, in which he had made motorsport and electromobility history, speaks volumes of the key role that Dieter Depping has played in the Volkswagen Motorsport success story.
A strong first half for the Volkswagen brand
Following the good start to the year, the Volkswagen brand continued its successful development in the second quarter. In the first half of the year, the brand recorded significant increases in sales revenue, operating profit and return on sales. From January to June, sales revenue reached €42.7 billion, 8 percent over the prior-year figure, largely driven by the strong rise in vehicle sales. With 3.12 million vehicles delivered, a new half-yearly record was achieved. After eliminating special items, the operating profit rose by 20 percent to €2.1 billion. The operating return on sales improved to 5.0 percent (compared with 4.5 percent in 2017). In connection with the processing of the diesel crisis, the brand recorded one-off expenses in the amount of €1.6 billion in the first half. The operating profit after special items was therefore €0.5 billion.
Volkswagen Truck & Bus increases sales in first half of 2018
Volkswagen Truck & Bus has remained firmly on its growth trajectory and achieved a substantial increase in the sale of its commercial vehicles* in the first half of 2018. MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus sold 112,130 vehicles, equivalent to a considerable improvement of 16% for the Group in a year-on-year comparison. Volkswagen Truck & Bus is making great strides in the implementation of its Global Champion strategy. The Company’s transformation into a stock corporation, which took place in June 2018, and the imminent name change to TRATON AG represent further key milestones.
Volkswagen Group records strong first half: growth in sales revenue and earnings
The Volkswagen Group continued its profitable growth course in the first half of 2018, post-ing record figures for deliveries, sales revenue and earnings (before special items). In the period from January to June, Group sales revenue rose from EUR 115.3 billion to EUR 119.4 billion year-on-year. Operating profit before special items increased from EUR 8.9 billion to EUR 9.8 billion, however, expenditures of EUR 1.6 billion in connection with the diesel crisis were recognized in the second quarter. The operating return on sales before special items rose from 7.7 to 8.2 percent. The Group’s profit after tax for the first six months was up 2.1 percent year-on-year to EUR 6.6 billion.“ The Volkswagen Group per-formed successfully in the first half of the year, with very solid growth in sales revenue and earnings. We also delivered more vehicles than ever before,” said Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen AG, commenting on the results for the first six months. “However, we cannot rest on our laurels because great challenges lie ahead of us in the coming quarters – especial-ly regarding the transition to the new WLTP test procedure. Growing protectionism also poses major challenges for the globally integrated automotive industry.”
I.D. R Pikes Peak makes Germany debut at Classic Days
From 03 to 05 August the time has come: the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak will make its debut in Germany at the 13th Classic Days at Schloss Dyck. The Autostadt in Wolfsburg will present Volkswagen’s first all-electric powered racing car at their “Passion | Pace | Performance” exhibition. With around 40 exhibits, ranging from the 1920s Bugatti to the current Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, the motorsport brand diversity of the Volkswagen Group will be presented, focussing on the past, present day and future. The 500 kW (680 PS) I.D. R Pikes Peak is the sporting forerunner of the I.D. family, the series of all-electric powered production cars that Volkswagen will be launching as of 2020.
Unique, sporty, passionate: Volkswagen presents classic cars and the automotive future at Classic Days 2018
Volkswagen Classic will showcase six carefully selected vehicles at the Classic Days classic car and motor festival held at Schloss Dyck in Jüchen from 3 to 5 August. Volkswagen Classic is sending three rare prototypes to Jüchen for the 13th edition of this classic car event: the Golf Mk3 A59 ‘Rallye’ and the twin-engine Golf Mk2 ‘Pikes Peak’, both motorsport vehicles, together with the elegant Volkswagen Type 3 convertible. In addition, the rare Volkswagen SP 2 will bring a touch of Brazilian exoticism to the Rhineland, while a convertible 1303 Beetle and a ‘Yellow Black Racer’ promise summertime driving fun.
Ralf Brandstätter named Chief Operating Officer of the Volkswagen brand
Ralf Brandstätter (49), Volkswagen brand Board member for Procurement, has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Volkswagen brand effective August 1, 2018. In this newly-created function, Brandstätter will lead the Volkswagen brand’s operating business. At the same time, he continues as the brand’s Board member for Procurement.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: Computer is important factor for development in record time
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is unique in many ways. One thing that makes the most famous hill climb in the world so special is the heavily restricted test drives. Volkswagen Motorsport wasn’t able to complete hundreds of laps during the development of the I.D. R Pikes Peak, like Formula 1 teams are allowed to do on certain racetracks, for example. Before driver Romain Dumas reached the 4,302-metre summit in a new record time, he wasn’t even able to complete one full test run of the actual track with Volkswagen’s first all-electric powered racing car.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak – a record breaker, thanks to 3D printing
It is less than four weeks since Romain Dumas and the I.D. R Pikes Peak set a new all-time record of 7:57.148 minutes for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. For the Volkswagen Motorsport engineers, the race against the clock lasted far longer – about eight months. In motorsport, this is an extremely short period in motor racing terms, yet this is all the technicians were given to develop Volkswagen’s first fully-electric racing car.
Markus Duesmann is to become a new member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management
At its meeting yesterday, the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft decided to offer Mr. Markus Duesmann a position on the Group Board of Management.
Record-breaking run of the I.D. R Pikes Peak from different perspectives
Volkswagen made motorsport history at the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on 24 June. At the wheel of the 500-kW (680-PS), fully-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak, Romain Dumas (F) defeated cars powered by conventional drivetrain technology. The 40-year-old’s time of 7:57.148 minutes, not only smashed the previous record for electric cars, but also bettered the all-time record set in 2013 by Sébastien Loeb (F) – by fully 16.730 seconds.
Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg wins the Automotive Lean Production Award for the first time
Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg is heading for greater productivity and efficiency with an exemplary pace of change. This is the assessment given by a team of independent experts in its European competition study for the Lean Production Award 2018. The internationally renowned award for slim and agile production systems in the automotive industry has gone to the Wolfsburg plant for the first time. At Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant, the jury assessed solutions at more than 50 stations in the press shop, body shop, paint shop, assembly and logistics as well as with respect to Industry 4.0.
Five tips for relaxing summer holidays with the car
A relaxing holiday starts with a pleasant journey. These days holidaymakers use their satnav and smartphone for a safe and stress-free journey. When these devices work as a team, they greatly enhance the holiday experience. The Volkswagen Car-Net is the key here. These five tips help drivers reduce stress levels when on holiday.
Volkswagen Group deliveries grow 7.1 percent in first half year
The Volkswagen Group recorded the best ever first half year in its history, delivering 5.5 million vehicles to customers. Deliveries in June grew 4.1 percent to 958,600 new vehicles. “This was the best-ever first half year in our company’s history. Group deliveries increased significantly in all core regions. Our core brands recorded strong growth in the first half year”, Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales at Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, said. “We expect deliveries in the second half of 2018 to be affected by the introduction of the new WLTP standard. Some vehicles will probably be handed over to customers later than planned”, Kappler went on to say.
I.D. R Pikes Peak thrills fans with record run at Goodwood
The I.D. R Pikes Peak has wrapped up its next record. Romain Dumas (F) set a new record for electric cars of 43.86 seconds in Volkswagen’s first fully-electric racing car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Following his record-breaking exploits at the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb just three weeks ago, Dumas beat the previous fastest time for electric cars on the Goodwood Hillclimb, which has stood since 2013, by 3.48 seconds. The all-time record still belongs to Nick Heidfeld (D). The former Formula 1 driver completed the 1.86-kilometre route in 41.6 seconds at the wheel of a McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13 Formula 1 car in 1999.
Jürgen Rittersberger named General Secretary and Senior Vice President Group Strategy
2018. Jürgen Rittersberger (46), formerly General Secretary and Vice President Corporate Development at Porsche AG, has been named General Secretary and Senior Vice President Group Strategy at Volkswagen AG effective September 1, 2018. He succeeds Dr. Thomas Sedran, who becomes CEO of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand from September 1.
Technology in the new Touareg – Part 6: Always on – In the digital fast lane with the eSIM
The new Touareg is “always on”. This is due to the factory-installed eSIM (fixed SIM card) built into the luxury SUV. It changes everything. The Touareg calls up the traffic situation online; Internet radio stations provide news, podcasts and music; navigation maps are updated online; buildings are displayed in 3D in the digital cockpit, providing a completely new navigation experience; and all passengers can go online via Wi-Fi hotspot.
The new T-Cross will be manufactured in Volkswagen Navarra
Volkswagen Navarra will manufacture the T-Cross, the new compact SUV of the Volkswagen brand. This was announced by Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Head of Volkswagen Production & Logistics today. Thus, the plant, which is producing the Polo since 1984, will build a second model for the first time in its history.
Volkswagen steps up commitment to Formula Student and supports six university teams at Hockenheim
Volkswagen is stepping up its commitment to the international design competition Formula Student Germany (FSG). This year, Volkswagen is supporting six university teams which are entering nine racing cars – more than ever before. The Wolfsburg company is focusing on two categories: “Driverless” for autonomous vehicles and “Electric” for racing cars with electric drive systems. Just before the works holidays, Volkswagen invited the selected racing teams to a warm-up training session at its Ehra-Lessien proving grounds for initial test laps and the fine tuning of their cars. Formula Student Germany is to be held on the Hockenheimring from August 7 to 12, 2018.
Volkswagen is systematically and vigorously advancing its electromobility offensive in China
The Volkswagen Group is expanding its successful
business relationships in the People’s Republic of China. As part of the 5th German-Chinese government consultations, the Volkswagen Group China signed letters of intent with a long-time joint-venture partner, the FAW Group, and with the China Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (Beijing) Research Institute Co. Ltd. (ICV). The agreements cover the areas of e-mobility, connectivity, mobility services and autonomous driving. A day earlier, the Volkswagen Group China joined the automakers JAC and SEAT in signing letters of intent in which the three underscored their commitment to e-mobility. The aim of the partnerships is to draw on the support of the Chinese partners and to systematically and vigorously fuel the company’s far-reaching electro-offensive and to apply new technologies.
Thomas Sedran to become CEO of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand
Dr. Thomas Sedran, General Secretary and Senior Vice President Group Strategy at Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, has been appointed CEO of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand effective September 1, 2018. In this function, he takes over from Dr. Eckhard Scholz, who is stepping down at his own request. Thomas Sedran’s successor will be announced at a later date.
Supervisory Board appoints Dr. Stefan Sommer Group Board Member for Procurement
The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has appointed Dr. Stefan Sommer (55) as the Board Member with responsibility for Procurement effective latest January 1, 2019. Sommer was Chief Executive Officer of ZF Friedrichshafen AG until the end of 2017. In his new function he succeeds Dr. Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz, who left the Company in April at his own request.
Volkswagen Expands E-Mobility Engagement in China
Volkswagen Group China today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp., Ltd. (JAC) and SEAT in Berlin, in the presence of German Chancellor An-gela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The three groups will together establish a new R&D center with a focus on developing electric vehicles, connectivity and autonomous
driving technologies, as well as a competitive platform for battery electric vehicles (BEV). SEAT brand will be introduced to China by 2020/2021. The move is a significant step in reinforcing Sino-German cooperation, as well as supporting Volkswagen Group China’s drive to be a leader in
e-mobility.
Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak goes in search of more records at Goodwood
Memories of victory at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb are still fresh: Volkswagen made motorsport history on 24 June, when Romain Dumas (F) and the I.D. R Pikes Peak set a new all-time record of 7:57.148 minutes at the most famous hill climb in the world. From 12 to 15 July, the pursuit of records continues at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The iconic motorsport event is the largest event of its type in the world and is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. More than 200,000 visitors from all over the world are expected to flock to the south of England for this unique homage to motorsport.
Federal Constitutional Court ruled an appeal about constitutional issue related to Munich prosecutor’s raid of Jones Day’s Office
Volkswagen AG welcomes the fact that the Federal Constitutional Court decision has now provided clarity with regard to the outstanding legal issues
Product Milestone as Volkswagen R delivers 200,000th ‘R’ model
Volkswagen R has handed over the jubilee car to a UK customer. Volkswagen R stands for performance, sport and emotion. Since it was established in 2002, Volkswagen R has developed and retailed 200,000 cars.
Video: Helicopter footage of the I.D. R Pikes Peak’s record-breaking run
Volkswagen made motorsport history at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on 24 June. At the wheel of the 500-kW (680-PS), fully-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak, Romain Dumas (F) defeated cars powered by conventional drivetrain technology and, with a time of 7:57.148 minutes, not only smashed the previous record for electric cars, but also bettered the all-time record set in 2013 by Sébastien Loeb (F) – by fully 16 seconds.
Top performance for Volkswagen in first half year
The Volkswagen brand continued on its growth path in the first half year, delivering 3.12 million vehicles in the first six months, an increase of 6.3 percent compared with the same period last year. Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, commented: “We can look back on a successful first half year. The fact that the Volkswagen brand grew 20 percent in Brazil is worthy of special mention. In Europe, over 100,000 orders for the T-Roc have already been placed since the market launch. In Germany, the 5 models with the highest registrations in May all came from Volkswagen. The second half of the year will be significantly more challenging. We anticipate delays of certain model lines in Europe as a result of the switch to WLTP.”
Volkswagen receives the Plus X Award as "Most Innovative Brand" for the third time in 2018
Volkswagen is continuously setting new standards in product design at a world-class level. This is why the Wolfsburg-based company has received the Plus X Award as “Most Innovative Brand” for the third year in a row. Because the most impressive car models were also produced by Volkswagen, the jury also awarded the company the title of “Best Automotive Brand 2018”.
Volkswagen to offer “zero-emission” car sharing services in future
The Volkswagen brand will also be offering its customers car sharing services in future. The WE customer platform is to begin rolling out various vehicle-on-demand services, in particular car sharing, in Germany in 2019. These services are to be extended to major cities in Europe, North America and Asia as early as 2020. This was announced by the Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, Jürgen Stackmann, at an event held in Berlin.
Volkswagen celebrates German premiere of I.D. VIZZION in Berlin
The future flagship of the electrically driven I.D. family is presented in Germany for the very first time. From today on, the concept study I.D. VIZZION is a major highlight at the exhibition DRIVING VIZZIONS TO REALITY at DRIVE. Volkswagen Group Forum in Berlin. Having had its world premiere at the Geneva Motorshow this March, the limousine embodies the brand’s realistic vision of tomorrow’s Volkswagen: pioneering in design, technology, quality – and unconditionally made for e-mobility. The most personal, Volkswagen-Studie I.D. VIZZION emotional and indivual Volkswagen of all times is one out of many attractions at the mobility exhibition that displays innovative concepts for an emission-free and fully-connected mobility future until 14th October 2018, in a 650-square- meter-show.
The new T-Cross – “more than one thing”
The T-Cross is set to launch a new form of SUV from the Volkswagen brand. Presented in 2016 at the Geneva Motor Show as a much-anticipated study, the series version is now making its way in the direction of actual production. With the T-Cross, Volkswagen is expanding the spectrum of Sport Utility Vehicles to include a small model. “I am more than one thing” – that is the claim with the introduction of the T-Cross. “More” is thus to be understood as a program: offering more, but nevertheless not costing more. The world première of the new T-Cross will take place in the autumn. Until then, Volkswagen will shorten the waiting time with a first look at the future SUV in the small vehicle class.
Volkswagen Group Components makes progress with realignment
In future, Volkswagen’s component development and production activities are to become even more efficient and flexible. By analogy with the Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands, Components is to become an independent corporate entity under the umbrella of Volkswagen AG with effect from January 2019. The realignment process which is currently in progress is focusing on aspects such as changes in the structure of the business areas, slimmer management and board systems and a Group-wide added value strategy.
Programmers at Volkswagen — generalists for tailor-made digital applications
For Volkswagen customers, there are many ways of configuring their ideal Golf. This plays a key role for programmer Lars Gohr. At Volkswagen’s Software Development Cen-ter (SDC) in Wolfsburg, he contributes his expert knowledge to the development of soft-ware applications. These include the “Car Configurator”, which customers can use to configure their new car quickly and conveniently. Volkswagen is adding a growing number of qualified IT specialists to its team so that customers and users within the company itself benefit from more and more digital applications.
80th anniversary of Wolfsburg: CEO Herbert Diess presents an electrifying gift from Volkswagen to the city of Wolfsburg
The CEO of Volkswagen AG, Dr. Herbert Diess, congratulated the city of Wolfsburg on its 80th anniversary today and gave it a truly electrifying gift to celebrate the occasion. The executive presented the city with 12 mobile charging stations and a long-term investment of in Wolfsburg’s electronic charging infrastructure that will be expanded step by step in accordance to the city’s needs – for a total amount of €10 million. Residents of the city can already see one of the charging stations: at Volkswagen’s booth set up as part of the festival being held on Porsche Street.
Milestone in Africa: Volkswagen launches local assembly and Car sharing in Rwanda
The Volkswagen brand is expanding its engagement in Africa: today saw the start of its Integrated Mobility Solution in Rwanda that includes local vehicle assembly, innovative mobility services and a sales and service retail outlet CFAO Volkswagen Rwanda. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Group South Africa and responsible for the Sub-Sahara region, officially launched the project in the capital Kigali in the presence of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame. Volkswagen is thus taking the next step toward developing new up-and-coming markets. In a long-term perspective, the brand intends to play a leading role in the emerging automotive industry in Africa. With this engagement, Volkswagen is making a substantial contribution to Africa’s economic development.
Volkswagen Truck & Bus completes transformation into a stock corporation
The legal transformation of Volkswagen Truck & Bus into a German Aktiengesellschaft (AG) has been successfully completed. The new legal form became formally effective with yesterday's entry in the Commercial Register of the Munich District Court. Volkswagen Truck & Bus will now operate under the name Volkswagen Truck & Bus AG until the name change into TRATON AG will be implemented in a few weeks.
The production process of the future: exoskeletons provide support for employees at the Bratislava plant
At its Bratislava plant, the Volkswagen brand is forging ahead with the modernization of its production processes with a project focusing on the future of work. This includes physical and behavioral ergonomic support systems which are firmly anchored in corporate strategy in connection with the topic of demographics and ergonomics. Ergonomically unfavorable workplaces are being continually reduced. Where the ergonomics of an operation cannot be improved, devices such as “exoskeletons” can provide support for production workers. These external supporting structures, which are worn somewhat like a rucksack, are currently being tested by Volkswagen in series production at its Bratislava plant. 30 workers are benefiting from a considerable reduction in physical effort in their assembly work.
Technology in the new Touareg – Part 5: the head-up display projects information onto the windscreen
The Innovision cockpit in the new Touareg – an interactive digital landscape consisting of display and control elements – is the blueprint for the cockpit of the future. A head-up display lends the perfect finishing touch: it projects a virtual summary of the latest key information into the driver’s selective field of vision.
All time record: Volkswagen makes history with the I.D. R Pikes Peak
Volkswagen and the I.D. R Pikes Peak have made history at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Driving the 500-kW (680 PS) I.D. R Pikes Peak, Romain Dumas (F) defeated a field including cars with conventional drivetrain technology. In doing so, he not only broke the previous record for electric vehicles, but also bettered Sébastien Loeb’s (F) all-time record from 2013 – by a full 16 seconds. Dumas’ new record of 7m 57.148s minutes is now top of the list of Pikes Peak champions, which includes such acclaimed drivers as Loeb, Walter Röhrl (D), Michèle Mouton (F), Stig Blomqvist (S), Nobuhiro Tajima (J) and also Rod Millen and his son Rhys (both NZ).
Volkswagen Group China’s mega-factory in Foshan will strengthen e-mobility strategy in China
Through the completion of the Foshan Plant Phase II, the Foshan production site’s capacity will double from 300,000 to 600,000 cars annually. As the first SUV-model of the Volkswagen brand built by FAW-Volkswagen, the T-Roc successfully rolled off the line in April this year. Together with the Audi Q2L, which will also start production this year, it is a vital building block in the fast growing SUV segment.
Volkswagen defines new Group structure more precisely: brands assume responsibility for regions
The Volkswagen Group is pushing ahead with the structural realignment of its organization. In future, one lead brand will assume steering responsibility for a clearly defined region of the world across the Group. Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, says: “We are distributing the responsibility across several shoulders. This means that it will be possible to take decisions in a significantly more decentralized way in the future and the Group Board of Management will be able to concentrate on overarching strategic topics. This way, we will make Volkswagen faster, slimmer and more efficient.”