Welcome to London's VW Specialist.We have a team of VW specialists who can sort out anything from basic VW servicing to advanced technical VW cars problems. One of the best independent VW Master Technician on site offering knowledge and experience using the latest VW Main Dealer compulsory diagnostics equipment.

The Volkswagen brand significantly increased its deliveries last year, with: around 4.87 million vehicles handed over to customers worldwide. The figures exceeded the previous year’s numbers in all regions. In total, the increase in deliveries was 6.7 per cent. Demand for electric mobility also grew: Volkswagen handed over about 394,000 fully electric vehicles to customers worldwide in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of 21.1 per cent compared to the previous year.

 

Imelda Labbé, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales: “The delivery figures show that we are on the right track as a brand and that our cars are well received by our customers. We expect the market environment to remain challenging in 2024. But with our revised and attractive product portfolio, we are in the right position.”

All-electric ID. models in high demand worldwide

Volkswagen was able to increase sales of its fully electric vehicles by 21.1 per cent to about 394,000 units in 2023. The largest markets for all-electric cars for the Volkswagen brand – in absolute figures – were China, Germany, the US, the UK, Sweden, France, Norway and Belgium.

In Germany, for example, about 30,000 ID.4 models were delivered (+ 62.9 per cent). Volkswagen’s first fully electric ‘world car’ was also well received in the US: about 38,000 examples of the ID.4 were delivered to customers here, which corresponds to an increase of 84.2 per cent compared to 2022. The ID.3 all-electric compact car was particularly popular in China: more than 75,000 were delivered in 2023 there – a over 200 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

T-Roc once again best-selling Volkswagen SUV in Europe

The SUV trend also continued in 2023: the share of SUVs in total Volkswagen deliveries remains very high at 54.2 per cent (+ 14.9 per cent compared to 2022). In the US, more than 81 per cent of Volkswagen cars sold were SUVs. In Europe, the T-Roc remains Volkswagen’s best-selling SUV: the model set a new delivery record in Germany, the UK, Spain and Turkey.

Forty-eight years and 20 million units after its debut, the Polo remains one of the most successful cars in its class: in Brazil, more than 110,000 of them were handed over to customers, which is a new record. In Germany, the number of Polo deliveries was about 33,500 – 44.1 per cent higher than in the previous year.

Volkswagen starts the new year with numerous newly launched bestsellers

Volkswagen is anticipating dynamic growth in demand due to new editions of some of its most important bestsellers: deliveries of the new generations of the Passat and Tiguan as well as the visually and technically enhanced T-Cross will begin in the first quarter of 2024. The ID.4 and ID.5 also recently received a major update with a completely new operating concept and new drive system. The new ID.7 Tourer, the estate version of the all-electric top model ID.7, will also launch this year. To meet the high demand for SUVs, Volkswagen is planning to produce a fully electric SUV in the high-volume A-segment from 2026.

Another highlight for 2024 will be that, 50 years after the first Golf, Volkswagen is presenting the next evolution of its eighth generation, which offers impressive visual refinements, new assistance systems and drive systems as well as next-generation infotainment and software. Pre-sales are scheduled to start in spring 2024.

 

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

At CES 2024, the world's leading electronics trade fair held from 9 to 12 January, Volkswagen will present the first vehicles in which the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT is integrated into its IDA voice assistant. In future, customers will have seamless access to the constantly growing artificial intelligence database in all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant and have researched content read out to them while driving. Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which offers a uniquely intelligent, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen will be the first volume manufacturer to offer Chat GPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles.

 

The new chatbot is offered in conjunction with the latest generation of infotainment in the following models: ID.7, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the all-new Tiguan and the all-new Passat, as well as in the new Golf. Enabled by Cerence Chat Pro, the integration of ChatGPT into the backend of the Volkswagen voice assistant offers a multitude of new capabilities that go far beyond the previous voice control. For example, the IDA voice assistant can be used to control the infotainment, navigation, and air conditioning, or to answer general knowledge questions. In the future, AI will provide additional information in response to questions that go beyond this as part of its continuously expanding capabilities. This can be helpful on many levels during a car journey: Enriching conversations, clearing up questions, interacting in intuitive language, receiving vehicle-specific information, and much more – purely hands-free.

 

Nothing changes for the person behind the wheel. There is no need to create a new account, install a new app or activate ChatGPT: The voice assistant is activated by saying "Hello IDA" or pressing the button on the steering wheel. IDA automatically prioritises whether a vehicle function should be executed, a destination searched or the temperature adjusted. If the request cannot be answered by the Volkswagen system, it is forwarded anonymously to AI and the familiar Volkswagen voice responds.

ChatGPT does not gain access to any vehicle data; questions and answers are deleted immediately to ensure the highest possible level of data protection. This is facilitated by Cerence Chat Pro, which leverages a multitude of sources, including ChatGPT, to enable IDA to provide accurate and relevant responses to nearly every query imaginable. The feature also prioritises security and seamless integration with IDA’s myriad capabilities, delivering ease of use for drivers.

 

"Volkswagen has always democratised technology and made it accessible to the many. This is simply ingrained in our DNA. As a result, we are now the first volume manufacturer to make this innovative technology a standard feature in vehicles from the compact segment upwards. Thanks to the seamless integration of ChatGPT and strong collaboration with our partner, Cerence, we are offering our drivers added value and direct access to the AI-based research tool. This also underlines the innovative strength of our new products," says Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for technical Development.

 

"We are proud to build on our automotive expertise and our long-standing partnership with Volkswagen to offer its customers new innovations that leverage generative AI and large language models – even after they have purchased a vehicle," says Stefan Ortmanns, CEO of Cerence. “With Cerence Chat Pro, VW is empowered with an automotive-grade ChatGPT integration that offers unmatched flexibility, customisation, and ease of deployment, while prioritising security and usability for drivers. As we look to the future, together Volkswagen and Cerence will explore collaboration to design a new, large-language-model-based (LLM) user experience as the foundation of Volkswagen’s next-generation in-car assistant.”

 

Articles source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

 

Under the motto “Coming Home – Reloaded”, Wolfsburg will become the new home for the GTI fan community next summer: The legendary meetup will take place in the vicinity of the VfL Wolfsburg stadium from July 26 – 28, 2024 and will be organized in cooperation with the Autostadt. In addition to vehicle presentations, stage shows and club meets, there will be many other activities and surprises for GTI enthusiasts.

 

As Imelda Labbé, Member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, explained: “The GTI isn’t the only icon – the GTI Meeting has also acquired cult status over the decades. We feel it’s important to give the GTI community a new home at the heart of our brand here in Wolfsburg!” Volkswagen is giving fans plenty of time to make their plans by announcing the date early: The big GTI party will be held on the last weekend in July 2024.

GTI – these three letters have stood for sportiness, emotions and dynamics for almost half a century. The fan community all over the world is still growing today and the cult brand enthusiasts meet regularly in clubs and exchange information with one another in GTI communities. Since 1982, the largest GTI meetup has traditionally taken place at Lake Wörthersee in Austria. However, in early 2023 the Maria Wörth local municipality announced that it would no longer host the annual event. Volkswagen therefore decided to bring the GTI Meeting home to Wolfsburg. Official GTI meets – complementing the Lake Wörthersee events – were already held outside the gates of the Volkswagen factory back in 2017 and 2018.

 

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen Financial Services are electrifying the fleet of Siemens AG together with the Volkswagen brand: the company's fleet will be gradually supplemented with up to 1,000 leased Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles. These all-electric vehicles are part of the electrification and sustainability strategy pursued by Siemens, one of the largest and longest established industrial companies in Germany.

 

"Fleets of companies and public authorities provide significant leverage for the market ramp-up of e-mobility. Therefore, the electrification of vehicle fleets is also of central importance to us at Volkswagen Financial Services. We are observing that more and more fleet managers are also electrifying their service vehicles. This shows how suitable and practical electric mobility has become for everyday use," said Armin Villinger, Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen Leasing GmbH.

"The fleet customer business is of great importance to Volkswagen. That is why we are pleased to continue our long-standing and trusting cooperation with Siemens into the era of electromobility," stressed Achim Schaible, Chairman and Spokesman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Germany.

Siemens has set ambitious goals for the electrification of its own fleet within the framework of its sustainability strategy. The company aims to make the entire fleet CO2-neutral and fully electric by 2030. "The electrification of our fleet is a clear commitment to achieving our climate goals. But we also want to be a pioneer in our industry and send a clear signal for sustainable fleet management in line with our DEGREE framework," explained Stefan Kurz, Head of Global Fleet Management at Siemens. He added: "We chose the Volkswagen ID.4 because, in our opinion, the vehicle offers a good combination of range, charging speed, trunk volume, and price."

The ID.4 is the first all-electric compact SUV from the Volkswagen brand. It is produced and offered for sale in China, the USA, and Europe. The modular electric drive matrix (MEB) forms the technical backbone of Volkswagen's electric offensive. In the case of the ID.4, the design of the MEB platform allows for a very spacious interior. At the same time, the car impresses with its strong driving performance and maximum ranges of up to 512 kilometers or 531 kilometers (the two versions in the WLTP cycle). Its quick-charging capability with up to 135 kW helps it cope with long distances.

 

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The Golf is the heart of the Volkswagen brand – and it stands for the term “bestseller” like hardly any other model. More than 37 million vehicles have been sold in eight generations. Volkswagen is celebrating the popular model to mark its 50th birthday next year. After all, the Golf has not only shaped mobility in Germany, but also in many other regions all over the world. However, the company is not just looking back as part of the birthday celebrations: the world premiere of the new Golf will take place already at the end of January – and like its predecessors, it will bring numerous innovations into series production.

 

Most successful European car
It was an automotive revolution when Volkswagen presented the first Golf and thus the successor to the legendary Beetle in 1974: with front-wheel drive (instead of rear engine) and a variable overall concept thanks to the large boot lid and folding rear seat backrest. In addition, the straight-line design created by Giorgetto Giugiaro helped Volkswagen adopt a new style, which was also continued in its successors. The Golf quickly became a true “Volkswagen”, and the first million units were sold as early as 1976. More than 37 million vehicles have been delivered to date. This makes the compact car the most successful European car, the best-selling Volkswagen of all time – and an icon.

No matter which generation – the secret of success was and still is the sum of all its characteristics. This is because the Golf has always been a perfect companion for everyday life, embodying versatility, functionality, reliability and quality. Over the decades, the portfolio has been expanded to include further variants: whether Golf GTI, Golf Cabriolet or Golf Variant, or many others. With each new model generation, state-of-the-art technologies, safety concepts and convenience features have been incorporated into the compact class. The Volkswagen Golf has thus democratised not just technologies such as the monitored catalytic converter and anti-lock braking system, but also airbags, cruise control and electronic assist systems as well as mild and plug-in hybrid drives.

In the anniversary year 2024, Volkswagen will present the evolutionary development of the eighth Golf generation. It will impress with visually refined features, new assist systems and powertrains, and also next-generation infotainment systems and software. The world premiere of the new Golf is just a few weeks away, with pre-sales scheduled for spring 2024.

 

Keeping history alive Volkswagen Classic will also accompany the Golf in its anniversary year and will present historic Golf models from the Volkswagen collection on numerous occasions. From 31 January to 4 February 2024, the Golf Generations I to VII will enhance Volkswagen France’s presence at the “Salon Rétromobile” show in Paris. Directly afterwards, from 2 to 4 February 2024, Volkswagen will show a Golf I and the unique EA 276 concept car – the Golf predecessor from 1969 developed in Wolfsburg – at the “Bremen Classic Motorshow”.


Media information and stories about the Golf
Further information, numerous texts and image material on the Golf in its eight generations can be downloaded from the Volkswagen Newsroom. Additional background information, detailed information on the model history and many stories about the successful model can also be found at Volkswagen Classic.

 

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com