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All Press Releases
This section contains all current press releases on topics and news items concerning Volkswagen.
Works meeting at Wolfsburg main plant: Volkswagen stands for change, future, momentum
Volkswagen Board Member for Human Resources, Gunnar Kilian, and the Group and General Works Council Chairman, Bernd Osterloh, thanked the workforce for their dedication over the last years and months during the works meeting held at the main plant in Wolfsburg today (Wednesday). Speaking to more than 10,000 employees, Kilian said: “More than ever today, Volkswagen stands for a new beginning, future, momentum. Businesswise, too, we have taken Volkswagen a big step forward with the pact for the future. We have a portfolio of first class vehicles. The ID.3 and the Golf 8 celebrate their world premiere in the fall. No other car manufacturer is driving e-mobility forward like Volkswagen. And at the same time, we are also systematically orienting ourselves to the future with digitalization. All of this is only possible because the Volkswagen team delivers a top performance, because the team identifies with our course and helps safeguard our economic success. The entire Board of Management wishes to thank you for that.” Osterloh emphasized: “Our company’s transformation can only succeed if we can get the whole team on board and offer them security. The recently agreed employment guarantee up to 2029 – in other words for the next ten years – means no one needs to be worried about losing their job at Volkswagen.”
Volkswagen and Schwarz Group to be strategic e-partners
Shortly before the market launch of its full-electric car sharing service WeShare in Berlin at the end of June, Volkswagen has concluded a strategic partnership with the Lidl and Kaufland supermarket chains, which are owned by the Schwarz Group. The food retailers are to install 140 public charging stations for the electric vehicles of their customers at 60 Lidl and 10 Kaufland branches in the German capital. Volkswagen is to receive the exclusive right to use the new infrastructure for charging its WeShare fleet overnight outside opening hours, which will make the utilization of the charging stations more efficient. The additional charging points at Lidl and Kaufland outlets will boost the public charging infrastructure in Berlin by almost 20 percent.
Volkswagen sponsors International Weimar Cultural Symposium implemented by the Goethe-Institut
For the second time, Volkswagen is supporting the Weimar Cultural Symposium of the Goethe-Institut, which will be attended by more than 300 participants from all over the world. Intellectuals, artists, scientists and decision-makers will be debating major upheavals of our time in many areas of society. Volkswagen is actively contributing to this debate and so emphasizing how the company invests in creating a livable future.
Volkswagen with new software unit
Volkswagen AG intends to group more than 5,000 digital experts together in its new “Car.Software” unit with Group responsibility for software in the vehicle by 2025. The company plans to develop significantly more software in the car and for vehicle-related ser-vices itself and to boost the in-house share of software development from the current figure of less than 10 percent to at least 60 percent by 2025. In future, there is to be one uniform software platform with all the basic functions for all vehicles throughout the Group. This will consist of the vehicle operating system “vw.os” and the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud. By 2025, all new Group models are to run on this software platform. The first vehicle based on this software platform will be the ID.3, which is to make its world debut at the IAA International Motor Show this year. Currently, more than 20,000 potential customers have registered for the pre-booking of this model.
Green Computing Performance: Volkswagen opens carbon neutral data center in Norway
The Volkswagen Group moved into a new, climate neutral data center in Rjukan (Norway) today. The facility was set up in just six months in collaboration with the Norwegian partner Green Mountain. The data center will be 100 percent powered by hydropower in the future, thus saving more than 5,800 tons of CO2 per year compared to a conventionally operated data center. The maximum output of 2,750 kilowatts will be used by the Volkswagen Passenger Cars and AUDI brands for high-performance servers, on which computer-intensive vehicle development projects are processed. These include the simulation of crash tests and virtual wind tunnel tests. The Volkswagen Group focuses on economic and ecological factors in the development of additional computing capacity. Volkswagen already operates a climate neutral data center in Iceland.
WTCR home race for Volkswagen and Benjamin Leuchter on the Nordschleife
Volkswagen Motorsport and the Sébastien Loeb Racing team are looking forward to a highlight of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup calendar this weekend: from 20 to 22 June, Mehdi Bennani (MA), Rob Huff (GB), Johan Kristoffersson (S) and Benjamin Leuchter (D) will be driving their Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife (D). The WTCR drivers will be competing as part of the supporting programme for the 24h Nürburgring and 200,000 fans are expected to line the 25.378 kilometres of the combination of Grand Prix circuit and Nordschleife. After claiming the first podiums of the season at the last race in Zandvoort (NL), Volkswagen can approach the home race with plenty of confidence: this is especially true of local hero Leuchter. The Duisburg native knows the Nordschleife better than any other driver in the 27-strong starting field.
New ID.3 and future ID. models to be equipped with batteries offering the highest capacity – and an eight-year warranty
Volkswagen will launch production of the ID.3 before the year is out. The compact-class model is the first member of the ID. family – a new generation of progressive electric vehicles whose lithium-ion batteries will allow for a range of up to 550 kilometres, making the models perfect for comfortable long journeys. The future owners of ID. models won’t need to worry about the durability of their batteries either, as Volkswagen will guarantee that the batteries will retain at least 70 per cent of their usable capacity even after eight years or 160,000 kilometres.
Volkswagen Group expands market share in May
In May, there was a fall in deliveries by the Volkswagen Group compared with May 2018, but the decrease was lower than in previous months at 3.6 percent. In total, 918,900 cus-tomers throughout the world took delivery of a vehicle from a Group brand. Growth was achieved in some key European markets (Germany +4.6 percent, France +2.7 percent, Italy +2.7 percent), and in the regions of North America (+4.3 percent) and South America (+5.8 percent). However, these rises were insufficient to compensate in full for falls in other re-gions, especially Asia-Pacific (-9.4 percent). Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales, commented: “In May, our brands asserted their position in shrinking overall markets and slightly increased the global market share. Deliveries developed in different ways in the various markets. In Europe, we almost reached the high level of the previous year and recorded growth in some key markets including Germany. Positive impetus came from North and South America, but this was insufficient to compensate for the continuing weakness of the overall market in our largest single market, China. It is gratifying to note that we once again significantly increased our market share in China.”
Volkswagen ID.R returns to Goodwood to defend its title
The Volkswagen ID.R is set to defend its title at the “Goodwood Festival of Speed” (4 to 7 July). Last year, Romain Dumas, at the wheel of the fully-electric race car, set a new record for electric vehicles at the prestigious race in the south of England. The Frenchman completed the 1.86-kilometre route of the Goodwood Hillclimb in just 43.86 seconds – the fastest time for 15 years. A mere five weeks after breaking the lap record for electric vehicles on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the ID.R – the sporty spearhead of the ID. family of fully-electric production vehicles – is ready to take on its next challenge.
Volkswagen invests in Northvolt AB
Volkswagen AG is investing some €900 million in joint battery activities with Northvolt AB. Part of the sum is intended for a joint venture with the Swedish battery cell producer, a further share will go directly to Northvolt AB. In return, Volkswagen will acquire about 20 percent of the shares in Northvolt AB and will have one seat on the Board of Directors, subject to approval under antitrust legislation. Furthermore, a 50/50 joint venture to build a 16 GWh battery cell factory in Europe is planned during the course of this year. It is intended to locate the factory in Lower Saxony (Salzgitter) if the preconditions for this are fulfilled. Construction of the production facility is scheduled to start, at the earliest, in 2020. Battery cell production for Volkswagen is slated to commence around the end of 2023/beginning of 2024.
Volkswagen deliveries in May present a mixed picture
In May, the Volkswagen brand delivered 512,100 vehicles worldwide, 5.1 percent fewer than in May 2018. There was a mixed picture in the regions: while deliveries by the brand in North America (+8.6 percent), South America (+5,4 percent) and the individual market of Germany (+2.2 percent) rose, there was, as expected, a fall in Europe (-6.1 percent). The situation in China remained unchanged. In May, Volkswagen succeeded in increasing its market share in a shrinking overall market.
More comfortable, more digital and better connected than ever before: pre-sales of the new Passat begin this week
Pre-sales of the new Passat begin today in selected European countries. With sales totalling 30 million units, the Passat is the most successful mid-range model in the world. A technical update and a refined exterior design have now fundamentally changed the best-selling model. Thanks to its new-generation infotainment system (MIB3), the Passat stays online permanently – and this ground-breaking development enables it to offer completely new services and functions. New assist systems make the model safer than ever, while upgraded running gear and drive systems ensure a high degree of long-distance comfort and exhilarating driving dynamics.
Volkswagen up! receives “Wertmeister 2019” award
Fantastic award for Volkswagen: the city specialist up! TSI has won the “Wertmeister 2019” award (value champion) in the city car category. Each year, the automotive magazine AUTO BILD honors the vehicles with the most stable residual value in several vehicle segments. The award was presented to Holger B. Santel, Head of Sales and Marketing Germany, at a ceremony in Berlin yesterday evening.
Volkswagen plans 36,000 charging points for electric cars throughout Europe
Volkswagen is aiming for a rapid breakthrough for e-mobility and is redoubling its efforts in the field of charging infrastructure. Throughout Europe, the Group will be installing a total of 36,000 charging points by 2025; 11,000 of these are to be developed by the Volkswagen brand. They will be installed at Volkswagen plants and at about 3,000 Volkswagen dealerships in all large towns and cities. With its Group company for charging infrastructure Elli (Electric Life) and its charging service “We Charge”, Volkswagen is also moving into further lucrative business areas connected with charging. All in all, the Group is investing about €250 million at its European locations. At the same time, the Group calls for other measures to take effect rapidly for more charging stations in Germany.
Volkswagen agrees digital transformation roadmap for administration and production
Volkswagen continues to forge ahead with the company’s modernization and digitalization: Volkswagen will be investing up to €4 billion in digitalization projects through 2023 – mainly in administration but also in production. At least 2,000 new jobs related to digitalization are to be created. This has been agreed by the Board of Management and the General Works Council in their “digital transformation roadmap”. Agile working methods, improved processes and digitalization are to reduce the burden on employees and speed up processes. Tasks that used to be performed manually are to be simplified through improved IT. Consequently, up to 4,000 jobs in non-production units at Volkswagen AG Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Components and Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH will not be restaffed over the coming four years. A precondition for this is that tasks are eliminated as a result of digitalization, process optimization and organizational streamlining. In addition, further investments in Industry 4.0 and an associated increase in productivity of five percent per year in production units through 2023 were also agreed. Furthermore, the budget for training is to be increased by a further €60 million to a total of €160 million to take account of the human resources transformation under Volkswagen’s digitalization offensive. A uniform employment guarantee for Volkswagen AG and Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH through 2029 has also been agreed.
6:05.336 minutes – Volkswagen ID.R sets new electric record on the Nürburgring
Volkswagen has achieved another milestone in electro-mobility: The ID.R, powered by two electric motors, lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 6:05.336 minutes – faster than any electric vehicle before it. Romain Dumas (F) beat the previous record set by Peter Dumbreck (GB, NIO EP9) in 2017 by 40.564 seconds. With an average speed of 204.96 km/h, the ID.R once again underlined the impressive performance capabilities of Volkswagen’s electric drive. This 500 kW (680 PS) emission-free race car is the racing flagship of the future fully electric ID. product family from Volkswagen.
A vessel for technology beyond motorsport – the charging of the ID.R system
It is a science in itself: the ID.R charging system. Only with optimally charged batteries can the pursuit of the lap record for electric vehicles on the 20.8-kilometre Nürburgring-Nordschleife succeed. To this end, driver Romain Dumas (F) will also have to deploy the full system performance of 500 kW (680 PS) on the three-kilometre ‘Döttinger Höhe’ section at the end of the Nordschleife, which is nearly dead straight.
World premiere: An interplay of light and lightness – a hologram in the GTI
The Golf GTI Aurora, which Volkswagen is currently showcasing at the GTI meeting on Lake Wörth, seems fast and loud at first glance, but innovative and futuristic at the second. Why? Because the technological highlight of the model only becomes visible when you open the luggage compartment. A holographic module, which Volkswagen Group Components’ innovation development has been honing for months, is at work here. It is now possible for the high-end sound system of the show car to be controlled via an intuitively operable hologram – a world first, and not just at Lake Wörth.
Double debut at the GTI gathering: Apprentices from Wolfsburg and Zwickau present self-developed Golf showcars Aurora and FighteR
Double the pleasure at Wörthersee! The 29th of May is the big day for two teams of apprentices at Volkswagen. At the 38th GTI gathering, they will be presenting the showcars they developed and built themselves for the first time to tens of thousands of automobile fans attending the legendary event in 2019. The spotlight will be on the Golf GTI Aurora from Wolfsburg and the Golf Estate FighteR from Zwickau – and both Volkswagens will absolutely delight the fans.
Volkswagen strengthens activities in China with market entry of SEAT and Smart City Project
The Volkswagen Group is expanding its business in its most important market, China. Volkswagen Group China, SEAT and the Chinese auto manufacturer JAC, which together form the joint venture JAC Volkswagen, continue to drive SEAT's market entry strategy. The Spanish brand aims to enter the Chinese market in the coming two to three years. An agreement has now been reached in Martorell, Spain, during a visit by a delegation of Chinese government officials from the Anhui province. Anhui’s provincial capital Hefei is where the headquarters of the JAC Volkswagen joint venture is located, which was founded in 2017 and focuses on the development, production and marketing of pure battery vehicles. China plays a central role in the global transformation of the Volkswagen Group and its decarbonization program. Already this year, the range of electrified vehicles will be expanded. By 2028, more than half of the 22 million e-cars planned by the Group will be produced in China. The goal is to deliver around 1.5 million electrified vehicles, most of them pure e-cars, to customers by 2025.
GTI Meet at Wörthersee Lake: three letters are all it takes to make history
Throughout the year, the picturesque town of Reifnitz is peaceful and idyllic. However, once a year, the town on Wörthersee Lake is transformed into a large bustling automotive playground. This year from 29 May until 1 June thousands of aficionados will flock to this Alpine town for the traditional GTI Meet. The worldwide Volkswagen fan community, powerful innovations within the current model range and the motorsports department will be amongst the dominant subjects of this year’s edition.
Volkswagen launches new service called “We Experience”
Volkswagen has added a new service called “We Experience” to its “Volkswagen We” digital ecosystem in Germany. The new feature provides personalized recommendations and special offers for products and services available in the vicinity of the vehicle. The service rolls out with well-known partners such as Shell, Domino’s or Tank & Rast. IBM technology is used to deliver tailor-made offers based on users’ individual profiles. “We Experience” is available in the “VW Connect” app.
Volkswagen ID.R on the Nordschleife: High-tech meets tradition
20.832 kilometres, 73 corners, many changes in elevation: the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Volkswagen has chosen one of the most iconic racetracks in the world for its next record attempt with the fully-electric ID.R. A lap record on the rollercoaster track in the Eifel region of Germany is a prestigious accolade for any race or production car. The current record for electric vehicles stands at 6:45.90 minutes and was set by British driver Peter Dumbreck in a NIO EP9 in 2017.
New T-Cross scores five stars in Euro NCAP
It can’t get any better: the most recent member of the Volkswagen family has now scored five stars. The new T-Cross performed outstandingly in the renowned Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) safety test. Independent testers awarded the new SUV in the small vehicle segment top scores in all categories. Consequently, this innovative crossover model meets the most stringent safety standards.
Worldwide Volkswagen Group Accompanies International Biodiversity Day with Initiatives for Species Conservation
On the occasion of the International Biodiversity Day on 22 May 2019, Volkswagen is calling on all corporate brands and locations to provide support to nature conservation projects and especially conserve insects under the motto "Biodiversity as a livelihood".
New top model of the brand: the Touareg V8 TDI is now available to order
The most powerful Volkswagen in the current model range is now available to order: the Touareg V8 TDI. At 310 kW / 421 PS, it’s one of the most powerful SUVs with a diesel engine in Germany. This 4.0-litre eight-cylinder vehicle has a maximum torque of 900 Newton metres – putting it at the same level as sports super cars. Whether cruising at low speeds, moving fast or going off-road, this power provides superior drive characteristics and makes the Touareg V8 TDI a reliable partner in everyday use. As with the product line’s V6 engines, the new V8 version also meets the requirements of the Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard.
Group-wide deliveries fall in April
The Volkswagen Group delivered 866,400 vehicles in April, 6,6 percent below the figure for April 2018. In the month under review, all core regions recorded declines in the overall market. This was a result of the sluggish economy in some markets and the tense geopoliti-cal situation in other markets. Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales, commented: “In many major countries, the overall market experienced a downturn in April. In our largest single market of China, the customers of many brands continued to be reluctant to purchase despite the reduction in the VAT rate. The Volkswagen Group was not immune to this trend. Over the next few months, we will be introducing key new models and continue to look forward rather more optimistically to the second half of the year.”
Volkswagen at the 40th International Vienna Motor Symposium: autonomous vehicles, hybrid drives and the start of a new era in electric mobility
Levels 3 and 4 of automated driving, a 48-volt drive system and a platform developed exclusively for e-vehicles – Volkswagen will be showcasing its progress toward integrated, CO2-neutral mobility at the 40th International Vienna Motor Symposium. The mild hybrid (mHEV) system makes an important contribution to sustainable mobility. Depending on the driving style, it can save around 0.4 litres of fuel over 100 kilometres and cut carbon emissions in the process. Volkswagen will also provide the first ever in-depth insight into its MEB (modular electric drive matrix), the basis for automated driving.
Volkswagen’s Incubator programme: six start-ups move into the Gläserne Manufaktur
Six new start-ups have been decided on for the founders programme in the Future Mobility Incubator at the Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden. The winners of the final pitch were the following start-ups: AVILOO from Vienna, Kopernikus from Berlin, NAVENTIK from Chemnitz, Visualix from Berlin, home-IX UG from Stuttgart and LiGenium from Chemnitz. They will start work in the Gläserne Manufaktur in mid May 2019, where they will be able to develop their ideas for market readiness with the support of Volkswagen and the business development team of Saxony’s capital, Dresden. 114 start-ups entered the fourth founders class competition.
Two impressive Beetles and a 1,000-mile adventure: Volkswagen at the 2019 Mille Miglia
The Mille Miglia is the most famous road race in the world. Steeped in history dating back as far as 1927, the event takes participants 1,000 miles (about 1,600 km) from Brescia to Rome and back, this year from 15 to 18 May. To mark the end of production of the Beetle, Volkswagen is resurrecting the success story of the Beetle – and lines up with two contemporary classics at the legendary Mille Miglia.
Volkswagen delivers fewer vehicles in April
In April, the Volkswagen brand delivered 487,400 vehicles worldwide, 6.2 percent fewer than in April 2018. In the month under review, there were gratifying developments in the USA (+8.7 percent), Canada (+11.1 percent), Russia (+7.3 percent) and Brazil (+7.7 percent). Deliveries by Volkswagen in China were down 6.5 percent but the brand was able to further increase its market share in a shrinking overall market. Volkswagen Sales Board Member Jürgen Stackmann: “We offer extremely attractive models in overall markets which are difficult and shrinking in many cases. In North America, our SUV offensive is bearing fruit and has had a positive effect on the monthly figures. China remains a severe challenge for us and all other market players.”
Shareholders formally approve actions of Board of Management and Supervisory Board and adopt resolution on increased dividend for 2018
At the Annual General Meeting 2019, the shareholders of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft voted by a majority of 99.98 percent to approve the recommendation of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board to pay a dividend of 4.80 (3.90) EUR per ordinary share and 4.86 (3.96) EUR per preferred share for fiscal year 2018. Approximately 2.4 billion (2.0 billion) EUR will therefore be distributed to shareholders. The ordinary shareholders deferred formal approval of the actions of Rupert Stadler for fiscal year 2018 on account of the still ongoing investigations into the diesel issue. The resolution on the formal approval of the actions of all other members of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board who held office in 2018 was passed by 94.95 percent of the ordinary shareholders represented at the Annual General Meeting.
Already more than 15,000 registrations for the ID.3
Less than one week after the start of pre-booking for the ID.3, more than 15,000 registrations have already been received for the first model in the new full-electric ID. family. That is already more than half of the total pre-booking volume of 30,000 vehicles. Volkswagen has recorded the greatest interest from the markets of Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, the UK and Sweden. The IT systems of the pre-booking platforms are now stable after the initial flood of customers. Jürgen Stackmann, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand responsible for Sales, Marketing and After-Sales: “The positive response shows that many customers are ready for e-mobility. People who want to be among the first to drive an ID.3 should not wait too long with their registrations. The number of pre-bookers is rising steadily.”
Supervisory Board and Board of Management take important decisions for future of Volkswagen Group
The Supervisory Board and Board of Management of Volkswagen AG took important decisions for the future of the Volkswagen Group today. As part of its electrification offensive the Volkswagen Group is to move forward with setting up a battery cell production facility in Europe under a partnership. To that end, the Supervisory Board approved investments of just under one billion euros at today’s meeting. It is planned to locate a battery cell production facility in Lower Saxony (Salzgitter). It was also decided to begin concrete negotiations on the planned new multibrand plant in Europe with the remaining potential locations. In addition, the Supervisory Board requested the Board of Management to start the process to develop a forward-looking, industrially meaningful solution for MAN Energy Solutions (ES) and RENK AG. The focus lies on opening future-oriented growth perspectives for mechanical engineering in the Group, for example though a joint venture, partnerships, or a full or partial sale. Furthermore, it was decided to prepare an IPO of TRATON SE to be launched before the 2019 summer break, subject to further market developments.
Volkswagen resumes preparations for IPO of TRATON SE
Backed by approval from the Supervisory Board, the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG today resolved to go ahead with the planned IPO of TRATON SE before the summer break, depending on further developments on capital markets.
Volkswagen votes for Europe
In a joint election appeal, the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group and the Group Works Council have called upon the company’s employees in the European Union to vote in the election to the European Parliament. Depending on the country, the election is being held from May 23 to 26, 2019.
Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of the new electric car ID.3
Conversion of the vehicle factory in Zwickau to the largest production site for electric mobility in Europe is right on schedule. The members of Volkswagen’s Group and Brand Boards of Management, as well as the Group Works Council, were able to see that for themselves at today’s site symposium for all three locations in Saxony held at Zwickau. The focus was on preparations for start-up of the new ID.3 and building the expertise required for that. More than 200 pre-production vehicles of the ID.3 have already been manufactured successfully. The first ID. production vehicles are to roll off the assembly line at the end of 2019. Only e-cars will be built at Zwickau by the end of 2020 – up to 1,500 a day for Volkswagen and other Group brands.
Already more than 10,000 registrations for the ID.3
At a press event held yesterday in Berlin, Volkswagen launched pre-booking in Europe for the first model in its new full-electric ID. model family, the ID.3. Customers’ interest in the special edition, the ID.3 1ST, which is limited to 30,000 vehicles, is significantly exceeding the brand’s expectations. Sometimes, the IT systems are unable to handle the large number of users accessing the system at the same time. This leads to long waiting times and interruptions in the registration process in some markets. Volkswagen is working hard to eliminate the hitches. Nevertheless, more than 10,000 registrations were received throughout Europe during the first 24 hours.
Volkswagen offers pre-booking for the first time
Volkswagen is today starting pre-booking in Europe for the first model in its new full-electric ID. family, the ID.3. With immediate effect, potential customers can register for an early production slot for the ID.3 at www.volkswagen.com/id-prebooking by paying a registration deposit of €1,000. The ID.3 1ST special edition, which has been especially configured for pre-booking, includes high-quality, high-performance equipment and is limited to 30,000 vehicles. Volkswagen is equipping the ID.3 1ST with the medium-sized battery option later available for the ID.3 series, which is expected to be most popular. With the three series battery options, ranges between 330 and up to 550 kilometers in accordance with WLTP will be possible. The pre-booking special edition has a range of 420 km (WLTP). While the base recommended price of the ID.3 series model with the smallest battery version starts at under €30,000 in Germany (target price), the exclusive ID.3 1ST special edition will be available for less than €40,000, before the deduction of the state subsidy in each case.
First member of the ID. family is called ID.3
Months before its official world premiere at the IAA international motor show, the next milestone has already been reached: Today, Volkswagen is officially announcing the name of the first model of the new ID. family. It will be called ID.3. The number 3 is significant in two ways. On the one hand, it indicates the ID. as belonging to the compact segment, which is the class distinction in both internal and industry-wide classification systems. On the other, the ID.3 follows the Beetle and the Golf to introduce the third major chapter of strategic importance for the history of the brand.
Successful first quarter of 2019: TRATON SE begins the year with a plus in profits of 22%
TRATON SE is off to a strong start in 2019. During the first quarter of 2019, the TRATON GROUP increased its operating profit by 21.9% compared with the prior-year quarter to €470 million. All three brands MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus contributed to this positive result. Sales revenue rose by 6.0% year-on-year to €6.4 billion across all brands. During the first three months of 2019, the TRATON GROUP sold 57,160 vehicles worldwide, up 7.4% against the prior-year figure. This growth was primarily supported by the continued favorable development of the core markets of Europe and Brazil.
Cutaway model “eGon” offers insights into vehicle technology at IdeenExpo
In Hanover today, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles unveiled details of the multifaceted program in store for visitors at IdeenExpo in Hanover from June 15 to 23. eGon, the cutaway model of an e-Golf, is one of Volkswagen’s highlight projects to be showcased at Germany’s largest youth event for science and technology.
Volkswagen brand boosts sales revenue and result
In the first quarter of the 2019 financial year, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand performed solidly in a challenging market environment. The lead brand of the Volkswagen Group was able to boost sales revenue and operating profit in the first three months despite a slight fall in deliveries. With an improved product mix, the sales revenue of the Volkswagen brand grew by 7.1 percent to €21.5 billion. After three months, the operating profit before special impacts was 4.8 percent up on the prior-year figure, at €921 million. Here too, Volkswagen benefited from an improved product mix, positive developments in product costs and especially an improvement in fixed costs. In the first quarter, the operating return on sales was at about the same level as in the previous year, at 4.3 percent. In the reporting period, legal risks gave rise to special items in the amount of €0.4 billion in connection with the processing of the diesel issue.
Volkswagen with international e-mobility marketing campaign
At the start of the pre-booking phase for its new full-electric ID. in Europe on May 8, Volkswagen is launching a broad-based international e-mobility marketing campaign. The campaign focuses especially on the ID. and is to start one year before the model’s market launch. Normally, large scale campaigns only start in connection with the launch of a model. This time, more than 600 individual communication elements are being produced for distribution on various channels. The key element and the umbrella campaign will be the “eManifesto: ID. Volkswagen, just electric”, which is to be shown on the occasion of the DFB cup final in Berlin on May 25 and will “electrify” more than 50 percent of the advertising space available in the German capital. Further elements of the campaign will be “influencer”, “barrier”, “teaser” and product films. As the heart of the campaign, the central information pool on e-mobility, the www.volkswagen.de/id website, will go live when pre-booking for the ID. starts. The highlight of the campaign will be the world premiere of the ID. at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The media budget for the campaign in Europe will run well into the double-digit million range.
The Volkswagen Group boosts sales revenue and earnings in the first quarter
The Volkswagen Group confirms full-year targets for deliveries to customers, sales revenue and operating profit before special items. Sales revenue of the Volkswagen Group rose 3.1 percent year-on-year to EUR 60.0 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year. The rise, which occurred despite the decline in volumes of deliveries to customers, was mainly the result of mix improvements and the healthy business performance in the Finan-cial Services Division. At EUR 11.7 (11.6) billion, operating profit was in line with the previ-ous year. Operating profit before special items increased by EUR 0.6 billion to EUR 4.8 billion. The operating return on sales before special items rose to 8.1 (7.2) percent. Positive effects arising from the fair value measurement of gains and losses on certain de-rivatives, improvements in the mix and price positioning and the favorable exchange rate trend more than offset the rise in fixed costs and lower vehicle sales. Negative special items arising from legal risks in the amount of one billion euros reduced operating profit, which declined year-on-year by EUR 0.3 billion to EUR 3.9 billion. The share of profits or losses of equity-accounted investments and the share of profits and losses of the Chinese joint ven-tures included in that amount were on a par with the previous year at EUR 800 million. Profit before tax was down on the prior-year period, at EUR 4.1 (4.5) billion. Net liquidity in the Automotive Division amounted to EUR 16.0 billion.
Volkswagen ID. R completes its first test on the Nordschleife
One day after the world premiere for the new ID. R at the Nürburgring, Romain Dumas drove the first test laps on the Nordschleife in the fully electric race car. On the 20.832-kilometre-long circuit, the Frenchman completed an extensive testing programme, driving two alternative ID. R chassis to make optimal use of the available time. In doing so, Volkswagen Motorsport began the final preparation phase for the attempt to set a new lap record for electric vehicles on the tradition-steeped track in the Eifel with the 500 kW (680 PS) race car.
Electric to the max: 56 pages on the ID. R and the electro-mobility strategy from Volkswagen
Volkswagen Motorsport presents its new digital booklet, “Electric to the max – the record-chasing ID. R.”, with all the information on the continuously developed version of the first fully electric race car from Volkswagen. Over 56 pages, there are interesting facts, exclusive insights and explanations on how the ID. R, as the racing flagship for future electric production vehicles from the ID. family, combines Volkswagen’s technical competence in relation to electric drive with the emotions and fascination of motorsport.
Exhibition opening in Berlin: Volkswagen supports "Andreas Mühe. Mischpoche"
2019, Titled "Mischpoche", Andreas Mühe will present his latest series of works in Berlin, centered around photographic family portraits. In these images Mühe joins together the living and dead members of his highly diverse artistic family. Those members that were no longer alive were replicated as stunningly lifelike sculptures in a complex and intensive production process arranged by Mühe. Volkswagen helped to realize this exhibition as part of its ongoing support of Nationalgalerie, thereby also lending support to Andreas Mühe´s internationally renowned body of work.
Motorsport with electric drive: Double world premiere for the new Volkswagen ID. R
Volkswagen has presented the continuously developed version of the ID. R, the fully electric race car. The racing flagship of the future fully electric product family from Volkswagen is to set a new lap record for electric vehicles on the 20.832-kilometre-long Nordschleife. In order for driver Romain Dumas to undercut the until-now best time of 6:45.90 minutes, Volkswagen Motorsport has consistently and continuously developed the ID. R. On 25 April, the ID. R is to complete its first test on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Virtually speaking, the ID. R will already drive its first laps from today; for the first time, a race car will also be presented at the same time in a near-reality computer simulation that can be downloaded free of charge.
T-Cross and Cara Delevingne are “#MoreThan1Thing”
For the market launch of the T-Cross, Volkswagen is embarking on a campaign for its latest SUV in Europe. The integrated 360° campaign includes a TV spot, printed and billboard advertisements as well as digital and social media content. The campaign face and testimonial of the T-Cross is Cara Delevingne. The claim #MoreThan1Thing describes the versatility of both the vehicle and its testimonial.
Electric Vehicles with Lowest CO2 Emissions
For the same vehicle models with different powertrains, the carbon footprint of the battery-powered E variants is already better than those of the corresponding vehicles with internal combustion engines. In addition, the electric vehicles offer a higher CO2-saving potential in all phases of the product cycle. Furthermore, it is of crucial importance for CO2 emissions whether the propulsion energy is generated from fossil or regenerative sources. This is the result of a certified life cycle assessment (LCA) of the Volkswagen Golf, which compares the CO2 emissions of the different vehicle versions with either an electric or an internal combustion engine.
Mission Maximum: 68 pages of records and superlatives
Volkswagen Classic is proud to present a selection of records and remarkable benchmarks in its online publication “Mission Maximum”. The digital booklet spans the fifties to the present day, the Volkswagen Ecomobile to the ID. R, Wolfsburg to Tierra del Fuego, and Jochi Kleint to Romain Dumas. The 68 pages are packed with exciting stories, interviews offering exclusive insights, fascinating facts and impressive figures from the world of Volkswagen.
From mine to factory: Volkswagen makes supply chain transparent with blockchain
Optimizing supply chains, eliminating sources of error, guaranteeing social and ecological standards – these are the goals of the collaboration between the Volkswagen Group and Minespider. Together with the blockchain specialist, a pilot project is to be set up to achieve transparency in the the global supply chain for lead. Blockchain technology makes it possible to trace the raw material back to the point of origin by means of digital certificates. The Volkswagen Group plans to use this technology for further raw materials and their supply chains.
Bring on the Nürburgring – ID. R ready for its record attempt on the Nordschleife
The ID. R has completed the next series of tests in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead. After working on the aerodynamics in the wind tunnel, the most recent tests at the racetracks in Le Castellet and Alès (both France) focused on the energy management software. The objective was to establish the ideal set-up for the electric drivetrain ahead of the record attempt on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. In the summer of 2019, the ID. R, sporty forerunner of the ID. family of fully-electric production vehicles from Volkswagen, will be aiming to set a new record lap time for electric vehicles at the historic Eifel circuit, with Romain Dumas at the wheel.
Volkswagen ID. R uses Formula 1 technology for optimal aerodynamics
Volkswagen has set itself a new challenge with the ID. R this year – the Nürburgring-Nordschleife instead of Pikes Peak. A race track instead of a hill climb. Full-throttle sections instead of hair-pins. Because of this, the fully electric-powered ID. R has been continuously developed with respect to its aerodynamics.
China plays key role in Volkswagen Group’s e-mobility strategy
China will play a key role in the Volkswagen group’s global transformation and its accompanying decarbonization program. Thus, this year will see an intensified roll-out of new energy models. Volkswagen Group China aims to produce more than half of the group’s global objective of 22 million BEVs by 2028. To speed up its e-offensive, it will also launch a new joint venture in charging infrastructure. All this will lay the foundation for wide acceptance of e-mobility. Meanwhile, in the area of future technologies, Volkswagen Group China is combining its research power, with Volkswagen brand, Audi and Group R&D working together within the new ONE R&D structure.
Volkswagen launches model offensive in China
Volkswagen plans an extensive model offensive in China. The brand will have doubled its SUV range by 2020. Volkswagen announced during the Auto Shanghai 2019, that the share of SUVs is expected to rise to up to 40 per cent. It is targeting the tradiotional part as well as the growing e-mobility sector. The Volkswagen brand presented five new SUV, four of them as world premieres. SAIC VOLKSWAGEN showed the T-Cross and the soon to be launched Teramont X, FAW-VW the SUV Coupé Concept and SMV Concept. Besides the four models of the joint ventures the latest member of the ID. Family celebrated its world premiere: the ID. ROOMZZ.
World première of the ID. ROOMZZ in Shanghai
Volkswagen has today presented the newest member of the ID. Family – the ID. ROOMZZ – at the “Brand SUV Night” in the run-up to Auto Shanghai. The multivariable all-rounder is a zero-emission SUV of the five-metre class which is tailored to both family and business requirements. The series version is to be initially launched on the Chinese market in 2021. The ID. ROOMZZ’s bodywork design follows the clear, homogeneous lines of the rest of the ID. family. The concept car also breaks new ground in the full-size SUV segment thanks to multiple details.
Volkswagen Group wins further market shares
The Volkswagen Group handed over 998,900 vehicles to customers worldwide in March, corresponding to a fall of 4.3 percent compared with March 2018. In Europe (+0.6 percent) and North America (+3.7 percent), more customers took delivery of a vehicle from one of the Group brands than in the same month last year. However, this could not compensate for lower deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region (-9.9 percent) and South America (-10.2 percent). Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales, commented: “As was the case in the first two months of the year, the Volkswagen Group again performed better than the global market in March and won further market shares. This confirms the great appeal of our brands and their products. We ended what was, as expected, a challenging first quarter with deliveries exceeding 2.6 million vehicles and high order backlogs, and are somewhat more optimistic, particularly as regards the second half of the year.”
Intelligent power strip: Transparent Factory in Dresden installs flexible, expandable electric charging infrastructure
The Transparent Factory in Dresden is expanding its electric charging infrastructure. Extra charging points have been installed at Volkswagen’s Dresden site as part of a joint venture with the start-up ChargeX. Just days after receiving CE certification, the start-up’s first charging solution anywhere in the world has officially come on stream. The idea behind it is as clever as it is cost-effective: the only installation required was a 22 kW wall box. Two additional charging points are now connected using an intelligent power strip. 32 charging points are now available for staff and visitors. Pilot projects are also planned at other Volkswagen locations. The Office of Economic Development for the City of Dresden is also providing about €36,500 of funding for a pilot project in which ChargeX will conduct practical testing of integrated charging control (load management).
Volkswagen and Karajan Music Tech Conference unveil deconstructed trumpet
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the key topic of the Karajan Music Tech Conference hosted in Salzburg by the Eliette and Herbert von Karajan Institute with the support of Volkswagen. With this partnership, the Group builds upon the success of the previous conference and facilitates a new international expert meeting as well as a presentation of innovative technologies in the world of music.
Volkswagen Press Conference at Shanghai Auto Show 2019
The Volkswagen Press Conference at the Shanghai Auto Show 2019 will be broadcasted live on Tuesday, April 16th 2019, from 03:20am CEST (01.20am GMT):
Computer simulations accelerate the continuous development of the ID. R
The continuous development of the ID. R is in full swing. The prototype, powered by two electric motors with a 500 kW (680 PS) system performance, will in summer 2019 hunt down the lap record for electric vehicles on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with Romain Dumas at the wheel. As well as extensive test drives and the work in the wind tunnel, Volkswagen Motorsport is also strongly relying on computer simulations in the preparation phase. These digital tools not only represent essential support for the engineers, they also save time and costs.
One million Sharan – Volkswagen Autoeuropa in Portugal celebrates production anniversary
Today, the millionth Sharan rolled off the assembly line at Volkswagen Autoeuropa in Palmela since production started there 24 years ago. Its safety, space utilisation and sliding door concept continues to impress families and long-haul drivers around the world.
Volkswagen expands market share in first quarter
The Volkswagen brand delivered 542,700 vehicles worldwide in March, 7.2 percent below the record level for March 2018. The positive trend in the USA (+14.0 percent) could not compensate for lower deliveries in Asia (-10.0 percent), Europe (-3.5 percent) and South America (-12.7 percent). Volkswagen handed over a total of 1,456,400 vehicles to customers in the first quarter, 4.5 percent down on the same period in 2018. In an overall market that also saw deliveries fall, the brand therefore recorded a slight gain in its market share for the first quarter.
Live at Techno Classica 2019: apprentices Fábio and Marvin to complete Volkswagen Type 3 restoration
Exceptional training station: Fábio Lopes and Marvin Wiethölter will complete their restoration project this week at the Techno Classica classic car fair in Essen. Since December 2018, the apprentices at Volkswagen in Osnabrück have been rebuilding a classic Volkswagen Type 3. They have also given the hatchback sedan VW 1600 TL a more powerful Type 4 engine. The final is now scheduled for April 10th until 14th, when the future automotive mechatronics engineers for system and high-voltage technology will complete the 1968 classic at the Volkswagen Classic stand - live in front of ten thousands of visitors to the world's largest trade fair for classic cars.
Cheer us on in Marrakesh – Volkswagen at the starting line of FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR)
This weekend (5 to 7 April 2019), the Sébastien Loeb Racing team and Volkswagen Motorsport join the line-up for the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Morocco – with no less than four racing versions of the Golf GTI TCR. The already sporty compact vehicle was tuned to the requirements of the racing track by Volkswagen Motorsport experts and now boasts 257 kW (350 PS). Based on the racing version, Volkswagen offers the Golf GTI TCR production model with 213 kW (290 PS).
Volkswagen at the Techno Classica 2019: records, cabriolets and a trainee project
Volkswagen Classic is presenting three themed areas at the world’s largest fair for vintage automobiles. Six unique record breakers and a 68-page booklet recount superlative achievements from the world of Volkswagen. “Summer Forever” honours 70 years of the Beetle Cabriolet with two rare exhibits. “Youth at Work” displays a special apprentice project: trainees from Volkswagen Osnabrück will complete the restoration of a classic in Hall 4.0.
Volkswagen Group secures lithium supplies
The Volkswagen Group and Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. registered in Jiangxi (China) have signed a memorandum of understanding on long-term lithium supplies for battery cells. Under the agreement, Ganfeng will supply lithium to the Volkswagen Group and its suppliers for the next ten years. Volkswagen is thus already securing a significant share of its lithium requirement for batteries.
The continuing development of the Volkswagen ID. R to make the record on Nürburgring-Nordschleife possible
The next challenge for the ID. R awaits: in summer, a new record is set to be delivered on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The team from Volkswagen Motorsport are therefore working intensively on the continuing development of the purely electric-powered race car. The focus of the testing and development phase is on increasing the efficiency of the vehicle. The ID. R, powered by two electric motors with system performance of 500 kW (680 hp), is the racing forerunner to the ID. product family, the future range of purely electric-powered production vehicles from Volkswagen.
New Passat breaks record on debut: Number one mid-range model with 30 million vehicles worldwide
On April 3, the Passat broke the 30-million-model mark for production in the Volkswagen plant at Emden, with the result that the bestseller set a new record in its segment: no other mid-range model and no other business vehicle globally has been sold more often than the Passat. The 30,000,000th vehicle – a Passat GTE Variant with a plug-in hybrid drive and a Pyrite Silver Metallic exterior – is already one of the first models in a new evolutionary stage to feature an extensive technical update (European presales will begin in May). The 30 millionth Passat will be used as a press and test vehicle for the international media over the coming months.
Volkswagen tests highly-automated driving in Hamburg
Volkswagen Group Research is testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg. This is the first time Volkswagen has begun to test automated driving to Level 4 at real driving conditions in a major German city. From now, a fleet of five e-Golf, equipped with laser scanners, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radars, will drive on a three-kilometer section of the digital test bed for automated and connected driving in the Hanseatic city. The results of the test drives, which will be continuously evaluated taking full account of all data protection rules, will be incorporated in the Group’s numerous research projects on automated driving, and will test customer-centric services and optimize individual transport.
The ID. family is growing: In Shanghai a new concept car shows the electric full-size SUV of the future
The Volkswagen Brand celebrates the world premiere of the ID. ROOMZZ at Auto Shanghai, one of China’s biggest car shows. The multi-variable all-round model is the next member of the ID. family and gives you a taste of what is to come in the upcoming series version of the zero-emission SUV that will hit the Chinese market first in 2021. Auto Shanghai will have its doors open from April 16th to April 24th 2019.
Prince Carl Philip of Sweden visits Volkswagen
Sweden is the Partner Country of Hannover Messe 2019. During his official visit to Germany, Prince Carl Philip was welcomed by Volkswagen Group representatives in Wolfsburg and found out more about the company’s e-mobility strategy. The Swedish Prince was one of the first to test the Group’s new generation of electric cars, including models from the Volkswagen ID. family. Sweden is one of Europe’s largest markets for electric vehicles.
Dr. Ralf Brunken is new Director of AutoUni
Dr. Ralf Brunken, formerly CIO at ŠKODA, has taken over as Director of the AutoUni effective April 1. He succeeds Prof. Dr. Mark Gonter, who assumes responsibility for value analysis in the future fields of e-mobility, autonomous driving and connectivity in Procurement at Audi AG.
Volkswagen starts “Faculty 73” training program for IT specialists
The newly-established “Faculty 73” at Volkswagen has begun its training program for software developers. In the four weeks since the program got underway the 100 participants have already developed and programmed the first model vehicles and built a software-controlled miniature production line. Today, the Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Hubertus Heil, was joined at the AutoUni in Wolfsburg by Human Resources Board Member, Gunnar Kilian, and the Chairman of the Works Council, Bernd Osterloh, to find out more about the successful start to the Group’s internal IT training program. Under the innovative program, participants are trained as software developers at Volkswagen over a two-year period. Students include employees who have completed their vocational training as well as PhD graduates.
Volkswagen also to cooperate with Siemens for Industrial Cloud
The Siemens technology group is to be the integration partner for the Volkswagen Industrial Cloud. This was announced by Volkswagen and Siemens today. Siemens will play a key role in ensuring that machinery and equipment of different manufacturers at the 122 Volkswagen plants are networked efficiently in the cloud. The resulting data transparency and analysis will lay the technological foundations for further productivity improvements at Volkswagen plants. In addition, Siemens and machinery and equipment suppliers will make applications and apps from the MindSphere Internet of Things system available in the Volkswagen Industrial Cloud. Volkswagen and Siemens intend to develop new functions and services for the Industrial Cloud together with machinery and equipment suppliers; these will then be available to all future partners. The development of the Volkswagen Industrial Cloud is gathering pace.
Golf turns 45 – On 29 March 1974, Volkswagen started making Europe’s most successful car
The Golf, the most successful European car, is turning 45. On 29 March 1974, the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg officially started production of what would become its bestseller. Back then, nobody at Volkswagen had any idea that the successor to the legendary Beetle would end up selling more than 35 million units all over the world – and still selling to this day. In purely mathematical terms, a new Golf has been ordered somewhere in the world every 41 seconds, every day, without interruption, since the start of production (SOP) 45 years ago. That is an average of around 780,000 vehicles per year.
Girls’ Day 2019: 1,092 girls find out more about technical trades at Volkswagen
Volkswagen welcomed 1,092 female students from grades 6 to 10 for Girls’ Day 2019 on Thursday, March 28. The girls gained an insight into technical trades at ten locations throughout Germany and found out from young women and training staff why technical trades are varied, exciting and future-proof. Volkswagen is steadily working on increasing the share of women in technical trades.
Volkswagen and Nationalgalerie add two further years to their partnership
Volkswagen and Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin have agreed on a two-year extension of their partnership. By aiming to provide the largest possible audience with chances to engage with culture, the collaboration helps society to strengthen cultural education efforts. Originally launched in 2013, the alliance has made Volkswagen a significant supporter of the Nationalgalerie, one of Europe’s leading museum institutions covering with its internationally renowned collection the evolution of art from 1800 until today. Works from the collection are on view in five museums: Alte Nationalgalerie, Hamburger Bahnhof, Neue Nationalgalerie, Museum Berggruen and Sammlung Scharf-Gerstenberg.
Volkswagen exchanges more than 300,000 old diesels
The Volkswagen Group can give a positive interim report on its exchange incentives for diesel vehicles. Since August 2017, more than 300,000 old diesel vehicles to exhaust emissions standards Euro 1 to Euro 5 have been exchanged throughout the Group. They have been replaced by new or nearly new cars from the participating Group brands with efficient powertrains of the latest generation to exhaust emission standard Euro 6. Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Group Sales: “The exchange incentives have significantly exceeded our expectations. We have kept our promises to politicians and made a key contribution to the renewal of the fleet and to a rapid improvement in air quality in German cities. Our customers have recently increasingly opted for used cars, which is why we are extending the relevant incentives until further notice for VW and Audi. The incentives for new cars will expire at the end of April, as already announced.”
“China Challenge”: The Volkswagen ID. R on the “Road to Heaven”
The fully-electric Volkswagen ID. R will take on another special challenge in September 2019. Romain Dumas (F) will be back at the wheel of the 500-kW electric sports car for the “China Challenge” on the Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road – a unique stretch of tarmac, featuring 99 corners, which winds its way up Tianmen Mountain, located roughly 1,500 kilometres southwest of Beijing. As no official record exists for the eleven-kilometre mountain road, which is not accessible to public transport, Volkswagen China will run a competition prior to the record attempt, in which participants can set their own virtual time on the Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road. Dumas will then attempt to better the time of the fastest participant under real conditions in September.
Volkswagen and Amazon Web Services to develop Industrial Cloud
Volkswagen and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are to develop the Volkswagen Industrial Cloud together. Both companies Services announced a multi-year, global agreement to jointly de-velop this project. In future, the Volkswagen Industrial Cloud will combine the data of all machines, plants and systems from all 122 facilities of the Volkswagen Group. This will cre-ate new prospects for the optimization of processes in production and allows considerable productivity improvements at the plants. The Volkswagen Industrial Cloud thus creates the essential prerequisites for achieving the productivity goals in production. In the long term, the global supply chain of the Volkswagen Group with more than 30,000 locations of over 1,500 suppliers and partner companies could also be integrated. By leveraging Amazon Web Services technology and services, Volkswagen is creating its Industrial Cloud as an open industry platform which other partners from industry, logistics and sales may use in the future.
New management at Volkswagen Group Components
The new Volkswagen Group Components brand is using its cross-brand and international structure to fill some of its management positions. As of 1 March 2019, Heiner Lanze has taken over as Head of Procurement of the newly independent business unit. He succeeds Stephan Beyse, who, as part of a regular rotation, now holds the position of Head of Procurement of Genuine Parts in Kassel.
From 1 May 2019, Frank Engel will become Executive Vice President of Components, Logistics, Quality for all Volkswagen Group China's component activities. Christian Bleiel will succeed Mr Engel to become Head of Component Production for the Group brand ŠKODA AUTO. At the same time, Andreas Salewsky, as Mr Bleiel’s successor, will become the new head of the component site at Salzgitter.
Volkswagen forms European Battery Union with Northvolt
The Volkswagen Group and further European partners are joining forces to form the Euro-pean Battery Union (EBU) with a view to forging ahead with battery research throughout Europe. The new consortium is to be led by the Volkswagen Group and the Swedish battery producer Northvolt. The joint research activities of the European Battery Union will cover the entire battery value stream – from raw materials through cell technology to recycling. The prime objective is to accumulate much broader know-how on battery cell production.
Diess: “Safeguarding our future can only succeed together”
The Chairman of Volkswagen called for better cooperation on future topics at Volkswagen during a works meeting held at the main plant in Wolfsburg. He gave a round-up of 2018 and looked ahead to 2019. Diess expressly thanked employees for their strong performance last year. At the same time, he emphasized that Volkswagen could only safeguard its future through joint efforts. He expressed his optimism that this endeavor would be successful. Diess said that Works Council Chairman Bernd Osterloh fought hard for the workforce, while at the same time taking an entrepreneurial approach.
Volkswagen Brand China and FAW-Volkswagen establish new joint venture for connected services
Volkswagen Brand China and its Chinese joint venture FAW-Volkswagen are scaling up their cooperation in the area of digitalization and connectivity. MOS Intelligent Connectivity Technology Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Volkswagen Group China and FAW-Volkswagen, will be established in the Chinese city of Chengdu. The partners are investing a total of RMB 1 billion in the company that will operate under the MOSI brand (Mobile Online Services Intelligent). The objective is to develop and offer digital services for all future Volkswagen models of FAW-Volkswagen from 2019 onwards, including vehicles based on the modular electric toolkit (MEB) from 2020. With the new joint venture, the Volkswagen brand is forging ahead with the development of its automotive ecosystem in China.
Volkswagen Group boosts market shares in February
In February, the Volkswagen Group handed 724,400 vehicles over to customers throughout the world, corresponding to a fall of 1.8 percent compared with February 2018. Volkswagen developed better than the overall world market, which continues to shrink, and the Group once again won market shares. This was the case in the regions of Western Europe, South America and Asia-Pacific. In the largest single market of China, deliveries fell significantly compared with the previous year (-7.4 percent), but the Group still performed better than the overall market, which remained weak. Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales: “In February, the Volkswagen Group delivered slightly fewer vehicles than last year, but we were able to gain market shares in a shrinking overall market. Despite the market environment, which continues to be challenging as expected, we have therefore continued our solid start to the new year. With our broad-based product offensive, we are confident that we will once again record a slight increase in deliveries this year”. In 2019, the brands of the Volkswagen Group will launch over 90 new models.
New Golf Variant TGI natural gas model now available to order
Volkswagen’s natural gas strategy continues to gain ground: only recently available to order, the Polo TGI and Golf TGI are now joined by the Golf Variant TGI1) with eco-friendly natural gas engine. The new model now boasts three natural gas tanks – instead of just two as before – once again increasing the already long range of the CNG drives. And there’s no need to compromise on space either to accommodate the three tanks on-board, as the natural gas tanks are integrated as a space-saving underfloor solution. At the same time, the additional tank increases the range in natural gas mode by up to 80 kilometres compared to its predecessor. You’ll now also reach your destination faster, as the bonnet conceals an overhauled, powerful 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 96 kW (130 hp). This engine is primarily powered with compressed natural gas (CNG) – the petrol tank is smaller as a result and thus only serves as a backup.
Volkswagen Group Components presents SPEED+ Award
Volkswagen Group Components recognised its best plants yesterday with the “SPEED+ Award” at the Phaeno Science Centre in Wolfsburg. Thomas Schmall, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components, and Dr Stefan Sommer, Group Board of Management member for Components and Procurement, presented this year’s TOP plants with their awards in front of around 250 guests from seven countries.
Volkswagen 4.0 – the production systems of tomorrow are being developed in the Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden
The Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden is continuing to develop into the Volkswagen Group’s primary test location for trialling innovative technologies. In conjunction with the Wolfsburg and Emden factories, the Gläserne Manufaktur is part of a “technical centre” project. The primary idea is to achieve automation of complex work steps within assembly. The special challenge is that the testing and development takes place on an ongoing basis during production of the e-Golf in the Gläserne Manufaktur. The first project at the Dresden site is a world first – the headliner for the e-Golf is now being fitted by a robot as standard. This manufacturing step will also be used in production of the ID. from the end of 2019 at Volkswagen’s Zwickau plant.
Volkswagen brand steps up pace of transformation
Volkswagen will be boosting the pace of its transformation following a solid fiscal year 2018. The brand is taking important steps this year to strengthen competitiveness on a sustained basis. This includes the start of the electric offensive, efficiency measures in production and further progress in productivity and margins. At the same time, the brand is rolling out an earnings improvement program aimed at achieving a sustained contribution of €5.9 billion from 2023. Measures include reducing complexity and optimizing material costs. The program will gradually start delivering results in the period from 2019 to 2022. Furthermore, efficiencies in administration are to be leveraged by a stronger focus on process digitalization. Furthermore, efficiencies in administration are to be leveraged by a stronger focus on process digitalization.
VW delivers fewer vehicles but gains market shares
In February, the Volkswagen brand delivered 398,100 vehicles throughout the world, 2.2 percent fewer than in February 2018. In an overall market which shrank even more strongly, Volkswagen was able to gain market shares throughout the world. The brand delivered more cars in Germany (+3.4 percent), Europe (+1.8 percent) and South America (+45.6 percent). Falls in deliveries were recorded in North America (-4.2 percent) and China (-8.8 percent). In China too, the brand won further market shares despite strong shrinkage in the overall market.
Volkswagen Group brands deliver a solid performance
In fiscal year 2018, the Volkswagen Group again benefited from its broad positioning and the sustained solid performance both of its brands and its financial services. Dr. Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, explained: “2018 was a successful year for the Volkswagen Group. We performed very well in spite of strong headwinds. Our Group brands worked very hard to help achieve this result. We must now redouble our efforts, step up the pace and resolutely continue the transformation we have begun.”
Volkswagen plans 22 million electric vehicles in ten years
The Volkswagen Group is forging ahead with the fundamental change of system in individual mobility and systematically aligning with electric drives. The Group is planning to launch almost 70 new electric models in the next ten years – instead of the 50 previously planned. As a result, the projected number of vehicles to be built on the Group’s electric platforms in the next decade will increase from 15 million to 22 million. Expanding e-mobility is an important building block on the road to a CO2-neutral balance. Volkswagen has signed off a comprehensive decarbonization program aimed at achieving a fully CO2-neutral balance in all areas from fleet to production to administration by 2050. Volkswagen is thus fully committed to the Paris climate targets.
Geneva Motor Show: Four world premieres provide powerful and electrifying highlights
With no less than four world premieres, the Volkswagen brand presents itself at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show (7–17 March). Four highlights focus on two topics: electric mobility and performance. At today’s press conference, Ralf Brandstätter, COO of Volkswagen Brand, announced that: “The transformation of the Volkswagen brand is in full swing. We are making excellent progress in the areas of digitalisation of our company and the electrification of our models.”