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All Stories
This section contains stories on topics concerning Volkswagen.
A lifelong passion
There are certain people, who breathe life into vehicles. And there are fans, who keep them alive, maintain the values of the brand, and tell their stories. Their passion is often both inspirational and record-breaking. Take the Grundmanns, for example, and their singular collection: So many oldest and original Volkswagen in one place – that is unique in the world.
Goosebumps guaranteed!
Romain Dumas chases the lap record for electric vehicles on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with the ID.R. During the trackwalk, the Frenchman explains a few key points of probably the most challenging race track in the world. In addition, check out our three videos, cruising the Nordschleife with Romain Dumas, amongst others.
The extent of our cars’ connectivity
Modern vehicles are becoming ever more digital and intelligent. In addition, all systems and functions have to be networked, so software is playing an increasingly important role. Volkswagen board member Frank Welsch explains how this is changing the way developers work.
Avanti, Beetle!
Old cars in the streets and Italians in front of their houses? The Mille Miglia is coming!--We are reporting directly from the road:
“We must join forces for e-mobility, now!”
The transition to e-mobility is in full swing, and Volkswagen is one of its pioneers. In an interview, Professor Friedrich Prinz from Stanford University explains what remains to be done.
The new Golf: with 48V technology
If not the Golf, then who? The eighth-generation of the bestseller will feature a new electrified drive system. We explain facts and functions of the socalled „mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle“-Systems („mHEV“) with 48 volt technology.
Showing real strength
A beacon project at Volkswagen Group is focusing on people with physical limitations who work in production. Read all about the STARK demographics project at the Wolfsburg plant.
E-mobility as key-element
With billions already invested, the MEB platform and ID. family are now pushing Volkswagen’s electric offensive forward. We explain the reasons for this straight path.
Six advantages of the MEB
Volkswagen has opened its modular electric drive matrix (German abbreviation: "MEB") to other manufacturers. This makes production cheaper, but also offers further advantages. You will find the six most important ones below:
"E-mobility for all"
With its new electric models, Volkswagen is taking a new path in sales as well: customers can now pre-book the special edition of the ID.3* – a full year before its market launch. In our interview, Board Member for Sales Jürgen Stackmann talks about e-mobility that is suitable for daily use, sales targets and the start of a new era.
"E-mobility needs priority!"
In a joint interview, one of the leaders of Germany’s Green Party, Robert Habeck and Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess argue for a consistent collaborative approach to help electric vehicles achieve their breakthrough.
This is electric!
The plant in Zwickau is preparing for e-mobility. The training program for its 3,000 production workers starts with a challenging act of liberation.
For a country full of ideas
Thrilling: The IdeenExpo – Europe’s largest natural science and technology event for young people – attracts more than 300,000 visitors every two years. Volkswagen will showcase some unbelievable exhibits that will entice people to climb in and take part.
First of May with birthday celebrations
It is probably the biggest event of its kind in the world. For European vin-tage car fans, it has been top of the list for first of May for over three dec-ades: the May Bug Meet in Hannover. Volkswagen Classic and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimer attended the 36th staging.
Sponsoring is Always a Marathon – Never a Sprint
Volkswagen is now sponsoring the German national soccer teams. We spoke about sponsoring with Dr. Stefan Walzel, an expert in the field.
The Vehicle will become our living space
The car of the future will become our intelligent assistant: it will prepare the journey for us, support us and understand what we want. The experts at Volkswagen Electronics Development are working hard to make this goal a reality. Part 4 of our series on user experience trends.
From the well to the wheel
A holistic approach from start to finish: A vehicle’s environmental footprint reveals the sources of environmental pollution. Therefore, the analysis helps on the path to quickly achieving CO2-neutral mobility.
Charged Up
Volkswagen is restructuring its Zwickau plant to produce electric cars, and investing 1.2 billion euros into this highly modern site in Saxony. The project is taking three years and is rather complex – because production keeps on going.
When your Car Becomes your Travel Guide
The car of the future will understand us: it will respond to our language and gestures. If there are problems, we’ll get the right tip at the right time. The experts at Volkswagen Electronics Development are working hard to make this goal a reality. Part 3 of our series on user experience trends.
When your car massages you
The car of the future will assist us: it will help us wake up and relax, safely guide us through traffic and appeal to our senses in optimal fashion. The experts at Volkswagen Electronics Development are working hard to make this goal a reality. Part 2 of our series on user experience trends. User Experience, short "UX", refers to all impressions and experiences that customers make when dealing with a product or service, for example when operating a car. UX-Design has the task to make the use as intuitive and simple as possible. Computer scientists, psychologists, and electrical engineers are working closely together in this field.
"Department 73" has started
More than 1,500 candidates had applied. On April 1, 2019, the first 100 participants officially started the innovative program “Faculty 73.” In two years’ time, they will start as software developers for the automotive industry.
For the lifetime of a car
Frank Blome heads Volkswagen’s Center of Excellence for Battery Cells. In this interview he explains how batteries are changing the automobile, what drivers should know about charging their e-cars and what advances we can expect to see in the next generations of battery technology.
Frugal, strong, and rare
Once a year, Essen transforms into the centre of the classic car scene, when the Techno Classica unites around 180,000 international visitors, thousands of cars and 1,250 exhibitors. Volkswagen was part of the action once again when the biggest vintage car fair in the world was held for the 31st time.
Four world premieres in Shanghai
The curiosity is immense. The stage is even bigger. And the surprises were a great success, too. Volkswagen presented an incredible four world premieres in a single evening, on the eve of the Auto Shanghai. “That’s not normal,” says marketing chief Jürgen Stackmann, his face beaming. “I can not remember ever experiencing a night like this.”
When your car is waiting for you
The car of the future will be as attuned to our needs as a personal assistant. It will know our wishes, entertain us, even speak with us. The experts at Volkswagen Electronics Development are working hard to make this goal a not-too-distant reality. This is the first sequence of our new series on user experience. User Experience, short "UX", refers to all impressions and experiences that customers make when dealing with a product or service, for example when operating a car. UX-Design has the task to make the use as intuitive and simple as possible. Computer scientists, psychologists, and electrical engineers are working closely together in this field.
Will 20 girls rock the ring?
A racing team comprised entirely of women? Even in 2019, it’s still a noteworthy sight. Volkswagen supports the “Girls Only” team – we visited them in the pit at the Nürburgring.
The two and the type three
Two apprentices from Volkswagen Osnabrück are restoring a historique automobile, from 1968 for the classic car trade fair Techno-Classica 2019. They are learning the basics of car construction in the process – before they start building the electric cars of the future.
Is lithium replaceable?
Why is lithium so important for the production of electric car batteries? How will Volkswagen secure a sustainable supply chain? We provide the answers and explain with five graphics the importance of this well-sought after alkali metal.
The German in the world cup
Benjamin Leuchter is a racer, through and through. This year, the man from Duisburg, about 70 kilometers north of Cologne, will compete with a Golf GTI TCR in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, the pinnacle of touring car racing. His close connection to Volkswagen has grown over the years. A portrait of a man who is living his childhood dream.
Travelling with radar and laser
More than a few denizens of the city have been pleasantly astonished by the sight of autonomous e-Golfs* driving on the streets of Hamburg. The driver only grabs the wheel in exceptional circumstances. The car is testing autonomous driving!
"April Fool!": The optical revolution
A new feature called OOPS, which allows car drivers to safely do without their glasses while driving? As you probably realized, the innovation we reported on yesterday, on 1st of April, under the headline "Get a clear view" was not meant to be serious.
Get a clear view!
Today, Volkswagen will start installing a new innovative front screen. It targets all those who would like to do without their glasses whilst driving.
Just do it!
Jane Rusch and Pia Rzepka are both 19 years old and in their third year of training to become mechatronics engineers at Volkswagen. They are organizing the Girls’Day for their department and explain to us why this day is so important.
"Industry 4.0: We make it happen!"
Together with Amazon Web Services, Volkswagen is developing the Volkswagen industrial cloud – thus launching a new era for digitally networked production worldwide. IT manager Martin Hofmann and Gerd Walker, head of production of Volkswagen Group, answer eleven key questions.
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.