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Stories
This section contains stories on topics concerning Volkswagen.
Cruising USA with "the thing"
If you want to get to know the USA, take a road trip. And if you want your vehicle to stand out, you’ll choose a car that could hardly be more purist – a Volkswagen 181. It even happens to turn 50 this year!
Soccer for everybody
As of this year, Volkswagen is the partner of the DFB and the German national soccer team. We explain why the people’s sport and Volkswagen are an ideal match – and how soccer will help to promote broad acceptance of e-mobility.
Extraordinary Mallorca!
The new T-Cross is not only good looking: Due to the many options, he is the perfect companion for almost any kind of adventure in the city or off the beaten path. Benjamin Brodbeck, blogger and editor at AUTOmativ.de took the new SUV for a spin and visited Mallorcas most unusual places.
“We need a master plan!”
Thomas Ulbrich, the Board Member responsible for e-mobility at Volkswagen, promotes a collaboration between the automotive industry and politicians in Berlin. There he addressed the congress of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) – and met with members of Germany’s Green party, also known as "Bündnis 90/Die Grünen".
The brain of the factory
Car production is a complex affair. Thousands of influencing variables need to be harmonized. The production, information and control system known as "FIS" (explanation follows further down) helps. We look behind the scenes of the FIS in Wolfsburg, where each second counts for the 3,500 cars made every day.
"Decarbonization" - WHAT?
Decarbonization is important to halt climate change. But what exactly is behind it? And what is Volkswagen doing about it?
Searching the sound
Combustion engines have dominated sound design in the automotive sector right from the start. But in the age of e-mobility, car interiors have become spaces of calm that call for design. We talked to two experts on the subject.
Reading time: About 5 minutes
E-powered to the beach
Dozens of journalists crowded the stand when Ralf Brandstätter came on stage. "The transformation of the Volkswagen brand is in full swing. We are making excellent progress in digitalizing our company and electrifying our models," said the COO.
Wanted: The perfect drift angle
Breath-taking landscapes and fascinating plays of light in northern Sweden
Cool cult coupe
It was billed as the first “fun car” from Volkswagen for the younger generation: The Scirocco desert wind conquered the hearts of fans in the early 1970s with a combination of Italian design and a completely novel technical concept. Amongst its fans was German rock star Udo Lindenberg.
When the Touareg tows a house
Living on nine square meters. Italian architect Leonardo Di Chiara tours Europe in his “aVOID” tiny house with a Touareg as his traveling companion.
New brand for China: JETTA
Jürgen Stackmann, member of the Board of Management with responsibility for “Sales, Marketing and After Sales”, smiles. “I think it is really exciting to help bring a new brand into the world. This is definitely a very special day,” he tells a group of international business journalists making a media visit in Wolfsburg. The visit is organized to discuss the creation of the new JETTA brand: Volkswagen plans to introduce it in China to attrac the growing target group of young, middle-class customers and of better tapping its market potential.
The magic of the mix
Volkswagen is banking on electric cars to achieve overall carbon-neutral mobility. We explain why the energy mix is so important. And how the company is already using and offering sustainable electricity.
Lithium to lithium, manganese to manganese
In the future, Volkswagen will offer e-mobility for all – and will assume overall responsibility: from the concepts for the vehicles, through production, sales and operations on to recycling. For this reason, a pilot plant for battery recycling is currently being set up at Salzgitter factory, south-west of Braunschweig, Germany.
Learning from nurse and surgeon
Volkswagen is putting sweeping measures into place as it pursues greater productivity and efficiency in production. The goal: 30 percent higher productivity worldwide by 2025. The main plant in Wolfsburg and heart of the brand is to set a new benchmark.
Likeable, discreet, and pure
What’s the aesthetic core values of the ID. family? What role does augmented reality play in daily work? And which is his favourite member of the ID. Family? Volkswagen chief designer Klaus Bischoff gives the answers, in writing and in a video.
The mega potential of the supply chain
Volkswagen is doing everything in its power to make its contribution to achieving the Paris climate targets. CO2-neutral components and raw materials play an important role. Check this overview and three info graphics.
Clean mobility: It's possible!
Volkswagen wants to do its part for climate protection. The road to getting there leads through a holistic e-mobility concept. Read all about the most important facts, together with two videos and five info graphics.
E-Mobility: Eight questions and answers
The Volkswagen trade fair warehouse in Isenbuettel, about 16 kilometers west of Wolfsburg: On a typical day, this is home to furniture and items for use at trade fairs worldwide. It was here that Volkswagen recently opened its doors to about 5,000 Volkswagen dealers from all over Europe to prepare them for the market launch of the ID. The manufacturer wants to get its sales team ready for the era of e-mobility. But not only dealers are present at this peek into the future of e-mobility. Everybody in attendance must observe the highest level of secrecy, as some of the vehicles on display in the trade fair warehouse will not be launched on the market until several years from now. Certain details about vehicles and plans must remain confidential for reasons of competition, as is normal at such events.
Born for the mountains
The Scottish Highlands are unique: wild and weather-torn mountain landscape like nowhere else in the world. To master the challenge of this landscape, you need a good dose of self-confidence – plus a mountain guide like Andy Nelson and a car like the T-Roc.
India - from moped to car nation?
India’s roads, where wild roaming cows are common road hazards, continue to be dominated by mopeds, rather than four-wheeled vehicles, but times they may be changin’
Best Man at his e-Golf’s wedding
It is environmentally friendly and economical, the e-Golf*. The Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden is now offering customers a special look behind the scenes.
China: Four trends
Growth and change: The Chinese car market remains the most important in the world, and China is also assuming a leading role in e-mobility and digitalization – with the Volkswagen Group as a strong partner. Read all about the four major trends.
Return of a legend
Elvis, James Bond and Steve McQueen, they all drove it: The dune buggy of the 1970s. The cult-classic car returns – this time all-electric. The new MEB-based Volkswagen study is celebrating its premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show.
"We are open to e-collaboration"
Volkswagen is ready to open its new MEB electric platform to other manufacturers, thus reducing the costs of electric cars. Michael Jost, Head of Strategy for Volkswagen, highlighted this approach.
The freedom I know
Every spring and fall a father and his three sons drive from Cologne to southern France to go surfing. Most recently in a Sharan. We present a personalized travel report.
Great comeback in Brazil
With investments in excess of two billion euros by 2020, Volkswagen do Brasil starts to recover market share.
Ms. Puhle’s feel for cars
More than 1,400 engineers and IT experts work in electronics development at Volkswagen to develop the next generation of vehicles. Marie Puhle teams up with her colleagues to ensure that our cars will be a breeze to operate.
Yesterday an engine plant – today an e-pioneer
The Salzgitter plant is getting ready for electric drives. While one of the 86 production lines is still used for building heavy six-cylinder engines, among other things, the workers next door are making a fist-sized electric pump.
Political visit at the e-car plant
SPD chairwoman Andrea Nahles and Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil informed themselves in Zwickau about the progress and challenges of the transformation into Europes largest electric car plant.
Cornering wizard with three letters
That GTI feeling does not get any stronger: the new TCR (213 kW/290 PS) is the road-going version of the successful touring car of the same name. The car that spearheads the current GTI range is equally as comfortable on the streets as it is on the racetracks of this world – as media representatives found out for themselves at the “Autódromo Internacional do Algarve” in the Portuguese city of Portimão.
CO2: The top facts
The debate about how to effectively reduce CO2 emissions is ongoing. What exactly is carbon dioxide? Who is responsible for emitting the most emissions? What is the Volkswagen Group doing in order to protect the environment? And what about the current suggestions regarding speed limits or higher fuel prices? We clarify.
Exchange incentive: Now nationwide
Volkswagen is expanding its exchange incentive to replace older diesel vehicles allover Germany.
Already five million Tiguan!
The Tiguan celebrates a historical production anniversary. In just eleven years, five million vehicles of the compact SUV series rolled off the assembly line. Almost 800,000 units were sold in 2018.
PS fireworks, ice cold
The relaunch of the iconic ice race at Zell am See, Austria thrilled participants and spectators alike.
The myth of the Neckartor
The diesel discussion is becoming more objective, the sustainability of diesel technology is increasingly being discussed in a less prejudicial manner among experts, in the media and social networks. Here, we explain the key facts and most dubious details about NOx and particular matter.
Hola!, T-Cross!
The T-Cross comes off the line in Pamplona, Spain, next to the Polo. Production started in December 2018. The employees are enthusiastic about the brand's smallest SUV.
"A further phase of uncertainty"
The negotiations on Brexit in the UK also have an impact on other European countries and industry. Volkswagen comments on current developments.
The most successful midsize car
The Passat is the most successful midsize car in the world. In 2019, it is set to become the first in its segment to cross the threshold of 30 million units sold.
Volkswagen and Ford launch alliance
Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company today announced the first agreements in a broad alliance that positions the companies to boost competitiveness and better serve customers in an era of rapid change in the industry.
A triumph for the automatic
Revolution in carmaking: 15 years ago, Volkswagen introduced the first direct-shift gearbox. The DSG was the first large-scale series production automatic that was more efficient than a manual.
Manufacturing e-cars on three continents
Volkswagen is expanding production capacities for its electric offensive. Beginning in late 2019, the company will build the future generation of electric vehicles in Europe, Asia and its U.S. plant in Chattanooga.
When Zell freezes over
Car races on frozen tracks pulled huge crowds in the middle of the 20th century. The Ice Race in Zell am See on the upcoming weekend is reviving this tradition.
The Snow Kings
The Planai Classic in Austria is for dyed-in-the-wool classic car fans only. We went along – sitting in the passenger seat alongside motorsport legend Hans-Joachim “Strietzel” Stuck.
Coming up: Green energy by Volkswagen
Volkswagen is intensifying its electric offensive by adding services for the charging process for electric vehicles. In just a few weeks, customers will be able to get green power from a newly established company called the Elli Group. Elli stands for electric life.
This is where your Volkswagen is build!
Volkswagen provides a glimpse behind the scenes at many sites – ranging from Pune, India, to Shanghai, China. While participating in factory tours, visitors have the opportunity to find out what production processes make our cars so safe and how electric drives are changing the vehicles of the future.
How to juggle family and work?
Assuming responsibility for a job and a family – it’s nothing short of a Herculean task. As a family friendly employer, Volkswagen helps its employees pull it off.
“We open a new charging center nearly every day”
Volkswagen is pressing ahead with its electric offensive. The ID. family, a new generation of electric vehicles, will be launched next year. IONITY from Munich will play an important role in putting in place the charging infrastructure. The GmbH is a joint venture of BMW, Daimler, Ford, and Volkswagen. We talked to Michael Hajesch, CEO at IONITY.
In the town of emperors and artists
With its support for culture, Volkswagen helps to give millions of people access to art and culture. In the town of Goslar, on the northern end of the Harz mountains, the company backs an unusual project.
It’s T-Time!
From T-Cross to Touareg: We present the five SUVs from Volkswagen - and explain their characters.
"Fearlessly off the brake!"
Matthias Luft, automotive blogger at Motoreport.de and Youtuber, took an in-depth offroad drive of Volkswagen’s current SUV range together with 20 international influencers.
Undercover in South Africa
Approval drive with the all-electric ID. in South Africa: At the end of 2019, the first model based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) goes into production. The final testing phase has begun.
In the footsteps of a visionary
In the 1980s, as CEO of Volkswagen, Carl Hahn paved the way for the Group’s success in China. His successors have continued his legacy and today Volkswagen is the market leader in the Middle Kingdom.
Board member for a week
What does a board member do? What does his week look like? Thanks to the Volkswagen Role Model Program, a young administrator looked over the shoulder of Thomas Ulbrich.
The visionary in China
Carl H. Hahn, former CEO of Volkswagen Group, in the 1980s brought the company to China. By creating an automotive industry, he worked with Volkswagen to fuel the country’s economic and social development. For his dedication to the country, China Newsweek has named Carl Hahn “Person of the Year.”
Looking back at 2018
Referring to the Volkswagen brand, chief Herbert Diess likened the year 2018 to the first five kilometers of a marathon. The electric and SUV offensive and the transition from a pure carmaker to a mobility provider - those are big tasks. But even during these initial few kilometers, Volkswagen already took some big steps. Here are the ten most important successes of 2018.
With high-tech as a standard
Back in the days, it even left some of the classier sports cars in its wake: the Corrado. Engine power, road-holding ability and design elements formed an extraordinarily dynamic package. This year, the rapid 2+2-seater from Osnabrück celebrates its 30th birthday. We show what technical refinements and visual aspects still live on in today’s Volkswagen models.
Learning from the best
For the Best Apprentice Award ceremony, 46 of the best apprentices in the Volkswagen Group were guests in Wolfsburg for four days.
Partner for a New Era
The all-electric, fully networked ID. will debut in 2020. Roughly 30 suppliers gathered for “MEB Supplier Day,” including representatives from Elektrobit Automotive GmbH. Together with other companies, they are working on the software for the ID.
Operating return is to rise quicker
Volkswagen will further accelerate the pace of its transformation, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ralf Brandstätter announces. The operating return on sales should reach at least 6 percent by 2022.
What's the pastor raving about?
Electric cars are only good for city driving? Wrong! Car sharing only works for an urban, app-friendly target group? Wrong! A small municipality near Bremen is proving that e-car sharing in rural areas can be a success.
German energy mix slows down e-mobility
To coincide with the Auto Summit in Wolfsburg, Herbert Diess published an article in the German daily paper "Handelsblatt" which he discussed the contribution of the automotive industry to environmental and climate protection.
“One of the most iconic cars!”
Next summer, the last Beetle will roll off the assembly line. Roughly 20 years after the premiere of the New Beetle, its production will come to an end. The Beetle celebrates its farewell with the “Final Edition” – inspired by the “Última Edición” of the legendary Beetle in 2003.
Bye bye, Beetle
The New Beetle has united tradition and lifestyle since its launch in 1998. It and its successor, which was introduced in 2011, have attracted millions of fans around the world. The last car will be produced in 2019.
Grand finale - Johan showing off
The last race of a motorsport season is always something very special. Even more when it´s time for the final of one of the most spectacular racing series in the world: the World Rallycross Championship, the WRX.
Economy Formula E
Pole position for savers: Already in the 1980s, an innovative set of fuel saving options was available for Polo, Golf, and Co.
The race toward autonomous driving
Volkswagen Group is investing around EUR 44 billion by 2023 in key technologies to shape mobility in the future. In an interview with the German sunday paper “Welt am Sonntag” (18th of November 2018), CEO Herbert Diess describes the steps to making driverless cars a reality.
"We want to make the e-car popular"
Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand, "E-Mobility" Division, on the opportunities offered by e-mobility, Volkswagen's role and the largest qualification offensive in the company's history.
All about Europe’s most efficient e-car factory
Volkswagen is actively promoting its electric offensive, thus creating global production capacities for one million electric cars. The center of the transformation is Zwickau in Saxony
E-mobility – Made in Germany
If the Supervisory Board approves the plans this Friday, Emden and Hanover will be transformed into production sites for electric vehicles. In doing so, Volkswagen implements its electric strategy consistently.
Biggest qualification program, ever
At the Zwickau plant, Volkswagen will train almost all of the 7,700 employees between 2019 and 2021 for the production of electric vehicles. The expense is immense – but justified. Ultimately, Zwickau will take the lead in production of e-models.
E-Mobility for everybody? Just like this ...
Volkswagen wants to make e-mobility affordable and attractive for millions of customers. The core of the e-mobility iniative: new models at low prices, significantly greater range and innovations in charging infrastructure.
Car city Zwickau: From Horch to e-mobility
Zwickau has been considered the cradle of the Saxon automotive industry for 114 years. By 2020, the Volkswagen Group will develop the site to become Europe’s largest competence center for electromobility. A chronicle.
Charged up for more than 40 years
Volkswagen has a history of electric mobility? There’s probably not much to tell yet, some might think. But the reality is somewhat different: Volkswagen began conducting research into purely electrically powered vehicles back in the early 1970s.
Three brothers – one passion
30 years ago, Patrick, Paul and Vincent Postma fell in love with Volkswagen Beetle convertibles. They turned their passion for classic Beetles and the ‘Bulli’ camper van into a successful business model.
Into pole position with “Faculty 73”
Volkswagen AG is now training its own new generation of IT experts. Interested applicants with “IT passion” from both inside and outside of the Group can apply until November 4. In spring 2019, the first 100 participants will start with the innovative “Faculty 73” program, a two-year course culminating in a junior software developer qualification. In 2021, the future co-workers will then be in pole position to launch their careers in a promising field. In addition, they will be given contracts for permanent employment at Volkswagen.
Red Sparrow is an all-rounder
Car blogger and editor of AUTOmativ.de, Benjamin Brodbeck drove the Polo over GTI 3,000 km through the Italian and Austrian Alps and the style-metropolis of Vienna.
Who develops the operating system for future cars?
Cars will soon be fully connected, linked up to the Internet of Things and involved in constant data exchange. The basis for this is being laid by the 1,400 employees in the Electrics/Electronic Development department in Wolfsburg.
Cool car, cool event!
With loud drums and dazzling laser lights, the latest and smallest member of Volkswagen’s SUV family introduces itself in Amsterdam – the T-Cross. “I am more” is its motto and with that much confidence, you get to celebrate three world premieres: Shanghai, Amsterdam and Sao Paulo. But let’s go to the Netherlands, first!
Top Grade: Five stars from Euro NCAP
The Touareg has received a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP because it offers a maximum of security. Rolf Bergmann from Global Safety Affairs Volkswagen explains what makes it so safe.
Where the roads end ...
Nine hours of driving, for a distance of 154 Kilometers. That’s hell, when you’re stuck in gridlock on a motorway. But if you drive in a world without roads and don’t even notice how slow you’re going – that’s bliss.
Trainees keep the memory alive
For 30 years, the Volkswagen Group has worked in cooperation with the International Auschwitz Committee to promote the work of the memorial. Trainees help regularly to preserve the Auschwitz and Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp memorial sites as places of remembrance.
“The best of all automotive worlds”
Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are on trend. They are safe, comfortable and give drivers a feeling of freedom. On the trail of a success story.
Only e-cars: First factory in China
The electrification strategy of the Volkswagen Group China is rapidly gaining pace on the world’s biggest market for e-mobility. In Zwickau, Germany, the group-wide largest production line is currently being built, scheduled to start production of the electric ID car in summer 2019.
Let there be light!
In its lighting competence center Volkswagen is working hard on developing the light of the future. The engineers, lighting designers, software developers, electronics engineers, and researchers working in Wolfsburg have now presented the fruits of their work to the general public for the first time.
Married ... with Motorsports
Petter Solberg’s last appearance in the World Rally Championship came back in 2012. But in a few days, at the end of October, the 2003 world champion returns – in a Polo GTI R5. As always, he can count on the support of his motorsport-mad family.
Secret meeting with the new rally Polo
The Polo GTI R5 – the rally Polo for customer sport – is available now. Future owners were able to experience the hottest Polo up close and personal on a very special taxi ride.
“There’s a misperception about the automotive industry.”
Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess has criticized the way politics is handling CO2 emission limits and coal-based power, and warned against oversimplified accusations about climate protection. Here are some excerpts from the interview with German daily “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
Huh or hey?
Last year, Volkswagen Group launched its very own multi-brand online used car portal, heycar, where around 310,000 cars are currently waiting for a new owner.
Powerful and scalable
Volkswagen wants to make e-mobility attractive for millions of customers. The new battery system developed for the Mo-dular e-drive modular system helps to achieve this - with scalable ranges between 330 and more than 550 kilometers.
Treasures in the glove compartment
The glove compartment. Endless depth and width. Room for whatever is practical, useful, expendable, indispensable, treasured – there is room for almost everything in the odds-and-ends compartment of the dash panel. Just what is in there? A team of reporters spent an afternoon researching this question in their neighbourhoods and at a well-visited motorway rest stop. And they turned up some astounding answers.
Spectacular hill climb event in Bavaria
Volkswagen started with six cars at the 2018 Edelweiß Bergpreis Rossfeld
Plant productivity to increase 30 percent
Volkswagen has set itself ambitious goals with its new TRANSFORM.TOGETHER production strategy. The Board of Management sees efficiency potential of EUR 2.6 billion by 2025.
“We will be one of the best in productivity”
The Volkswagen brand aims to achieve a competitive return of at least 6 percent through increased efficiency to finance key future investments from operating activities. In this way, the company will secure today’s jobs for the future. One of the biggest efficiency levers for the brand is found in production. Today in Berlin, the Volkswagen brand is presenting its new TRANSFORM.TOGETHER production strategy. The central goal is to increase productivity by 30 percent by 2025.
Find out more in the interview with Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Production, and Dr. Robert Cisek, Head of Production Strategy.
How to charge an e-vehicle? — It’s easy!
Volkswagen is not only developing electromobility of the future, but also the related infrastructure. Worries about range, the availability of charging stations and long charging times will be a thing of the past.
Happening in orange
The creme21 youngtimer rallye has become a legend. Volkswagen Classic enriched the 17th cult event with three cool classic cars.
Just unveiled: The new ID. chassis!
For the first time, Volkswagen presents the chassis of the world’s first fully connected, fully functional e-vehicle family. Production will start in late 2019.