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All Stories
This section contains stories on topics concerning Volkswagen.
The crowd pleaser
The Concours d´Elegance is the final event of the Monterey Car Week. On its so-called “concept lawn”, automotive manufacturers show off their most exciting concept vehicles. The ID. BUGGY doesn’t really fit in with this ensemble, but that’s exactly why it needs to be here.
Silent on the beach
As a concept car, the ID. BUGGY excited the audience at its premiere in Geneva. Now, the beach cruiser has hit the shores of California for the first time and is turning heads again.
Perfect for everyday and adventures
With the T-Roc Cabriolet, Volkswagen crosses automotive boundaries, combining compactness, a typical SUV seating position and the unique driving experience of a convertible. The world premiere is at the IAA.
Buggy-cult, worldwide!
Summer, sun, emotions. The Buggy was the cult car of the 1960s and 70s. On the occasion of the reintroduction of the legend, as a fully electric ID. BUGGY, fans from all over the world show us their beloved classic cars.
The “Light bus” is back!
Woodstock – the myth. The Volkswagen 1 – another myth. The two came into contact 50 years ago and shaped an era. For the anniversary of the festival, the painted Light bus is now back on the American highways and byways.
“We want clean raw materials!”
One of the biggest challenges facing e-mobility is the sustainable extraction of raw materials. Volkswagen is looking for solutions with start-ups and other partners in a series of hackathons. In an interview, Marco Philippi, Head of Procurement Strategy, discusses the problems with cobalt extraction, supplier ratings and commonalities with the fashion industry.
Debut at the castle
A summer festival of all things automotive in a unique atmosphere, with 120 years of living vehicle and motorsport history: From air-cooled to electric – Volkswagen at the 14th Classic Days event at Schloss Dyck, a castle about 20 kilometers southwest of Düsseldorf.
Soccer instead of fast food
Soccer is more than just a game. Soccer conveys team spirit, fairness and much more. A project at the Chattanooga location in Tennessee, USA aims to inspire young people towards a healthy lifestyle.
The California Looker
In the 60s, Ron Fleming was one of the pioneers of the “California Look”, still the most popular style within the Volkswagen tuning scene to this day. An interview about the initial explosion of the international Beetle cult.
“Those that give up, have already lost!”
Volkswagen supported the European Deaf Athletics Championships with a fleet of vehicles – to the delight of the athletes.
Ready for the road!
Before they leave the factory, every Passat and Arteon built in Emden is subjected to an important test: the final quality assurance check. We visited the coast and looked over the experts shoulders’:
“The Volkswagen brand? Super strong and fresh”
Jürgen Stackmann, Sales and Marketing board member for Volkswagen Passenger Cars, on perceptible changes at Volkswagen, why he stands up for the brand and what he is most looking forward at the IAA in September. The interview:
From the “Racing Cardboard” to the ID.3 – CO2-free
Volkswagen is set to build the attractive, affordable e-car for everyone. An e-car for millions, not just for millionaires. To do so, the Volkswagen plant in Zwickau is currently being transformed into the first, largest, highest-performing – and most environmentally friendly – e-factory in Europe.
Dune Buggy: Small Car, Boundless Freedom
Cool, compact, cuddly: the dune buggy still inspires enthusiasm. But what constitutes this very special buggy feeling?
“Self-driving Cars Present a Great Opportunity”
Alexander Hitzinger, Board of Management member for Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, is responsible for developing autonomous driving at the Volkswagen Group. In an interview, he talks about the cooperation with Ford, technological challenges and future business models.
"We want to establish MEB as an industry standard"
Volkswagen and Ford intensify their strategic alliance. In an interview, Volkswagen’s CEO explains the Group’s three strategic goals.
Together with Ford to the future
Volkswagen and Ford are intensifying their cooperation in the strategic fields of e-mobility and autonomous driving. Volkswagen has already made some achievements in both areas. An overview:
From springs and dampers to rotors and stators
In the coming days, the production of essential components for the new ID.3 will commence at four Volkswagen factories. We explain which parts Volkswagen Group Components builds and where they are produced.
For the mobility of the future
Volkswagen is opening the "We"-Campus in Berlin with 900 jobs. Six employees talk about their work for the digital ecosystem Volkswagen We, the traffic in Berlin and their personal motivation.
“We have to stay on the ball permanently”
When it comes to cultural change, Volkswagen Group also focuses on diversity – and starts with managers. A special program within the Volkswagen Group is designed to sensitize employees to the topic and ensure that they live diversity within the company. Elke Heitmüller, Head of Diversity Management at the Volkswagen Group, explains what is important here.
"The smile comes automatically"
When Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer of the Volkswagen brand, talks about the ID. BUGGY, he gets enthousiastic. An interview about old vehicles, new design and emotional e-cars.
Goal: five stars!
As part of NCAP crash tests, each car must meet different requirements. The requirements vary from country to country. This poses major challenges for international carmakers like Volkswagen.
"I’ve got 1,500 cars in Berlin"
WeShare – the pure electric car sharing from Volkswagen – has been launched. Vanessa Petre Linbenciuc has already tried out the sustainable ervice in Berlin. A field report.
Easy as a smartphone
Full speed ahead: Volkswagen Group is fully committed to the breakthrough of e-mobility. But there are many questions and sometimes even fears surrounding electro mobility. The most important questions and answers about electric cars and charging.
24 hours in the Green Hell
The Volkswagen ID.R captivates 230,000 spectators at the endurance classic. Popular Girls Only racing team dogged by bad luck at the 24-hour race in their Golf GTI. GTI TCR wins two races in the Touring Car World Cup.
Freedom Festival: Bullis on Fehmarn
Sun, adventure and a Bulli lifestyle: The Midsummer Bulli Festival attracts thousands of fans to the Isle of Fehmarn. Together they celebrated the summer solstice, their buses and stories.
Combatting “Charging Anxiety”
Leaders of the German car industry will meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel on June 24. Their agenda will include the expansion of Germany’s charging infrastructure. We spoke with Professor Henning Kagermann, who chairs the National Platform Future of Mobility (NPM).
Join in and help out
At the 2019 IdeenExpo in Hanover, trainees from Volkswagen show how exciting their vocational training really is.
“Define own software standards”
Volkswagen Group is increasing its capabilities in the digitization of its vehicles: the share of the software developed for cars is to rise to at least 60 percent by 2025, from ten percent today. The new “Car.Software” unit will be responsible for essential parts of software development for vehicles and cloud platforms in all brands and regions. Christian Senger, member of the board of management of Volkswagen and responsible for Digital Car & Services, explains the new software strategy.
New York says: "bye bye!"
In 2019, the Beetle celebrates its farewell with a final edition. On the occasion, Volkswagen invited guests to a farewell event in New York and explained how the car turned design icon.
"Girls only" are getting ready
The “Girls Only” team and their Golf GTI TCR take part in the Nürburgring 24-hour race. How does the crew prepare for the mammoth task?
The new Passat: video with tec highlights
The countdown has begun – in September, Volkswagen is launching a major technological update for the Passat. The update fundamentally changes the world's most successful mid-range car, which has already sold more than 30 million units. New assistance systems such as Travel Assist perfect safety and comfort and make it the first Passat with the potential to drive up to 210 km/h in partially assisted mode. Once again, the bestseller will be launched as a saloon and estate.
The new Passat: interview with the project leader
Presales for the new Passat have started. A young team has taken the task of perfecting the successful mid-range model. The outcome is something to be proud of.
WLTP gets stricter
The process will be modified again in September. We have answers on the five most important questions plus a video.
He just keeps rolling!
On December 23, 2014, Jürgen Bäumer gave himself the biggest Christmas present ever: he bought one of the very first e-Golfs in Germany. And today? The car just keeps on rolling.
Attack with a ponytail
As the World Cup in France kicks-off, women's football is now more prominent than ever. Top players like Alexandra Popp confidently demand the recognition they deserve for their sport.
„We want a quick success for e-mobility"
Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for E-Mobility, explains how Volkswagen is driving the breakthrough of e-mobility and which German city has the best charging network to offer.
Four billion euro for digitalization
Volkswagen presents the “digital transformation roadmap”: 2,000 digital jobs are to be created, agile working methods improved, and IT processes should relieve employees even more in the future.
An emission-free record
The Volkswagen ID.R is the fastest electric vehicle ever to complete a lap of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. We have first impressions of the record run, plus two new videos: the complete run from cockpit- and helicopter perspective, amongst others.
Today, 25 years ago ...
The Golf is the most successful European car: more than 35 million units of the icon have already been sold since start of production in March 1974.
Today, 25 years ago - on May 30th 1994 - the Golf was already celebrated as a star at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg - the 15millionth Golf rolled off the assembly line. Since the start of production 45 years ago, a new Golf has been ordered somewhere in the world every 41 seconds, every day. That is an average of around 780,000 vehicles per year.
Breaking down the prejudices ...
The automotive industry is currently in the midst of the biggest change in its history as it attempts to establish emissions-free vehicles across the globe. Electric mobility is a key piece of technology in this process. However, it is still met with a great deal of scepticism. The majority of electric mobility’s critics focus on low driving ranges, a lack of fun behind the wheel, and poor charging infrastructure. So, are these prejudices against electric mobility actually justified?
Holography in the GTI
With the Aurora showcar, apprentices from Wolfsburg, assisted by the innovation development team at Volkswagen Group Components, created a 3,000-watt sound system, controlled by way of a hologram.
Worldwide subsidiaries for e-cars
In many countries there are incentives for switching to electric mobility: financial incentives, tax savings or bureaucratic advantages. An overview.
Joachim Löw, Herbert Diess, and the ID.3
The Volkswagen CEO and the German national soccer coach drive together through Berlin in the all new ID.3
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’