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For the third time in a row, employees will conduct environmental- and climate-protection activities at many Volkswagen Group sites from today to April 22. The campaign “Project1Hour” takes place on the occasion of the international Earth Day. In 2022 it mobilized about 300,000 employees around the world and is considered to be the world’s largest corporate climate workshop. This year’s campaign will be expanded to include a further 500,000 employees at Volkswagen dealerships worldwide, adding to the 675,000 Volkswagen employees who are already part of it.

CEO Oliver Blume said: “ ‘Invest in Our Planet’ is the theme of this year’s Earth Day. At Volkswagen, we are taking this claim literally by investing EUR 52 billion in the future of individual, emission-free mobility – more than any other automobile manufacturer. The share of e-vehicles that the Group is selling has been rising constantly: it totaled nearly 7 percent in 2022. The figure is scheduled to total more than 80 percent worldwide at Porsche by 2030, for instance. It should reach 80 percent for the Volkswagen brand in Europe by the same year. We are also doing our part to expand the charging infrastructure with renewable energy: we are planning to build about 18.000 fast-charging points in Europe and approximately 45,000 around the world by 2025. E-mobility is the best solution for sustainable transportation. This is something we truly believe. We are taking a holistic approach to the issue of sustainability: economically, environmentally and socially. With our “Project1Hour”, we are setting an example on Earth Day and are combining social and corporate goals with an opportunity for every employee. Together, we form a force of 1 million minds for climate protection.”

Chief Human Resources Officer Gunnar Kilian said: “Sustainability and climate protection are not some type of window dressing at Volkswagen. The commitment that our Group’s workforce has made to the “Project1Hour” shows why. In 2022, more than 295,000 colleagues came up with ideas that we can use to reduce our impact on our environment and our climate at work and elsewhere. We are pressing ahead with this commitment in 2023 by further raising our awareness levels and our sensitivity about our planet Earth. This is an important step because we all know that we have just one Earth and that we must handle it with care.”

The Chairwoman of the Group Works Council, Daniela Cavallo, added: “The employee representatives hope that huge numbers of people will join in. One hour of work for a group-wide workforce of 670,000 employees represents a tremendous reservoir of potential. This hour will make a real difference if it produces many creative ideas and initiatives that catch on and resonate with the workforce. For this reason, I hope that as many colleagues as possible will have an opportunity to take part – including the workforce in the assembly units.”

The “Project1Hour” is accompanied by campaigns at various locations: At the main plant in Wolfsburg, Production Director Christian Vollmer invites employees on a bike tour to the plant to make the commute more sustainable. Astrid Fontaine, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, also calls on employees to organize their commute to work in an active/sporty manner and to form carpools. Porsche also finances the use of local public transport for employees for one day.

At Volkswagen Group Technology and many Volkswagen canteens in Germany, there are campaigns all about vegetarian and vegan nutrition. The Bentley canteen in Crewe, England, is also focusing on a plant-based menu for the campaign period, which is flanked by general tips for a healthy and climate-positive lifestyle.

Volkswagen Group of America is organizing a recycling campaign and offers employees and customers the opportunity to hand in laptops, cell phones, batteries and other small electronic devices for recycling. In addition, garbage collection campaigns are taking place at several locations, such as at the Herndon headquarters or in Auburn Hills: employees clean up public parks and facilities.

The software subsidiary CARIAD has set itself the goal of being net CO2-neutral by 2025 and is organizing a Green Tech Week for its employees with information on how software can help to reduce the CO2 footprint. In addition, expert talks, workshops and digital clean-up sessions will take place.

The Volkswagen Group was the first automobile manufacturer to commit to the Paris Climate Agreement back in 2018. Its strategy and corporate targets are aimed at ensuring the entire Group will be net carbon-neutral by no later than 2050. This objective encompasses not only vehicles but also factories and processes. The Sustainability unit is one of ten strategic action areas with which the Volkswagen Group is moving ahead at full steam under the direction of CEO Oliver Blume. The sponsor of the strategic initiative on the Group Board of Management is Manfred Döss, the board member responsible for Integrity and Legal Affairs who will ensure that the measures and target achievement are regularly evaluated.

The Volkswagen Group is linking its “Project1Hour” to global Earth Day on April 22. Earth Day was initiated in the United States in 1970. It is marked every year on April 22. It has evolved into a global grassroots environmental movement since its initiation more than 50 years ago. Around 20 million people took part in the first Earth Day. Today, it is more than 200 million. The global event stands for multifaceted activities that focus on the broad spectrum of environmental and climate protection issues and for a commitment to jointly create promising environmental and climate solutions. The theme of this year’s international Earth Day is “Invest in Our Planet.”

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen will make its return to the Techno Classica this year. The world’s largest classic car fair will be an opportunity for Volkswagen Classic to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Passat using the slogan “Immer wieder neu” (“Always reinventing itself”). The year 1973 saw the launch of the Passat, a brand new model family equipped with a water-cooled engine. It was the start of a global success story that continues to this day. To mark this milestone, five specially selected Passat exhibits will be on show in Essen.

After a three-year break,Volkswagen will be at this year’s Techno Classica from 12 up to 16 April, presenting its historic models as a brand “with a heart”. The appearance in Essen is all about the Passat. An every-day hero and a design classic, the car will be marking half a century of success.

In 1973, the Passat represented the start of a major Volkswagen product campaign and signalled the dawn of a new era for automotive technology. It was the Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro who was responsible for the design of the new family – although his original design, referred to as the EA 272, was scrapped at the last minute for cost reasons. But Giugiaro went on to develop a more rational model on the basis of the Audi 80 B1, featuring a shapely hatchback and a modified front section. The original Passat remains a design icon to this day. Giugiaro’s creations also include the Scirocco I and Golf I, which were both launched the following year. The Volkswagen Passat made its debut in 1973 as a two- and four-door hatchback sedan. The estate version followed in January 1974.

“Immer wieder neu”: always reinventing itself – this is the motto Volkswagen Classic have chosen to mark the anniversary. The Passat is and has always been a car for a lifetime. Right from the start, customers appreciated its all-round qualities, and the car has continued to improve and develop across eight generations. Time and again over the decades, the Passat has showcased bold new design ideas, whilst passing on its tried and tested strengths from one generation to the next – as it will continue to do in the future.

The Volkswagen Classic stand will feature five vehicles that represent the historic origins of the Passat:

Passat B1 LS from 1973
New drive, new design: series production of the new Passat got underway on 14 May 1973. The family hatchback sedan was launched with a small boot lid without a load-through hatch; the version with a larger rear lid that extended up to the roof and encompassed the rear window went into series production in January 1975.

Volkswagen Classic will be showing a very special model in Essen: the oldest car in the family. The Passat B1 LS from 1973 forms part of the collection of Volkswagen’s AutoMuseum Foundation. It has the vehicle identification number 2, making it the oldest Passat in the world.

Passat B1 L Estate from 1974
Spaciousness is its strength: in January 1974, Wolfsburg added the Passat Estate to its range. Practical and perfectly formed, it was a roaring success right from the start. As it passed through various model generations, the Passat Estate family car cultivated a place in the hearts of its owners. 

The 1974 Passat B1 L Estate in Atlas White from the Volkswagen Classic vehicle pool has already shown at numerous driving events that you can have plenty of vintage driving fun with 40 kW (55 PS)!

Passat B2 CL Formula E from 1983
Modern technologies and efficiency: The Passat B2 was introduced in October 1980. This second generation was markedly larger than its modestly sized predecessor the B1, making it barely recognisable. To begin with, the Passat II was offered as a hatchback sedan and as a five-door estate. In combination with the 55 kW (75 PS) 1.6-litre engine, the Passat B2 was initially also offered as a Formula E version. Volkswagen’s Formula E anticipated innovations such as the start/stop system.

The Passat B2 CL Formula E in Diamond Silver Metallic is part of the Volkswagen Classic vehicle collection and will also be celebrating an anniversary in Essen: it received its type approval on 5 April 1983, meaning the car turns 40 this year.

Passat B3 Estate GT G60 Syncro from 1991
Dynamics and sportiness: the Passat has proved its sporty credentials in multiple model versions, always exuding confidence but remaining understated. The third Passat generation was launched in 1988 and featured a completely new design, package, technology and interior. It was available as either a notchback saloon or an estate. The GT specification package represented the sporty version of the Passat, whilst the Passat G60 with a 1.8-litre engine, 118 kW (160 PS) and Syncro four-wheel drive was the coveted top model from 1989 onwards.

The Passat B3 Estate GT G60 Syncro from 1991 from the Volkswagen Classic vehicle pool is a proven fan favourite that gets pulses racing!

Volkswagen AutoMuseum Foundation: Passat B2 Electronic from 1983
This year’s show will see the AutoMuseum Foundation represented on the Volkswagen stand. Here too, a very special vehicle will be on display to mark the anniversary: the Passat B2 Electronic, a one-off model from 1983. 

The concept car represented a lifestyle version of the Passat with four-wheel drive, a turbocharger and extensive microelectronics such as a navigation system, infotainment and a number of electrical controls. It was a vision of the future that would surely have won many fans.

In good company in Hall 3

Volkswagen Classic has not been represented at the Techno Classica since 2019, For the first time, several brands from the Volkswagen Group will come together on one stand to reflect the motto “Leidenschaft verbindet” (“passion connects”). Volkswagen Classic, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers, Audi Tradition, Škoda, the Autostadt, the AutoMuseum Foundation and Volkswagen Classic Parts can all be found in Hall 3.

The Techno Classica will be held from 12 to 16 April at the trade fair centre in Essen, Germany. The show features more than 1,250 exhibitors from over 30 countries in an area of 120,000 square metres spread across ten halls, the Grugahalle and four open air areas. Also in attendance will be more than 200 classic car clubs, as well as many parts dealers. The organisers expect to welcome around 200,000 visitors. As if that wasn’t enough, there will also be around 2,700 historic vehicles for sale.

Articles source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The countdown to the launch of the new ID.7 has started: the world premiere of the new all-electric ID. flagship model will take place on Monday, 17 April. Just under two weeks before this date, Volkswagen is now providing further details on the drive, running gear and convenience features of the saloon designed for long-distance driving. The new ID.7 will enhance the upper mid-size class in Europe, China and North America. Volkswagen plans to increase the share of its electric models to 80 per cent in Europe by 2030. The new ID.7 is an important milestone on this path, as it is scheduled to be launched in Europe before the end of 2023.

The camouflaged ID.7 is still undergoing its final test drives in Alicante, Spain. The new all-electric model for long-distance driving is able to fully show off its strengths on the winding and mountainous roads in the region. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Development, explains: “With the ID.7 we have exploited the potential of the MEB even further. We have also used a new, more powerful and more efficient electric drive motor. In addition, we have enhanced the control quality of the running gear and were thus able to further increase driving comfort. The combination of a superior drive system, comfortable running gear and long range make the ID.7 the perfect limousine for long distance travel.”

Higher performance and efficiency thanks to newly developed electric drive motor. The ID.7 is the first model based on the modular electric drive (MEB) platform that has a newly developed and highly efficient drive by Volkswagen. It is the most powerful and highest-torque electric drive motor in a Volkswagen ID. model so far. The power unit with the internal designation APP550 was developed by Volkswagen Group Components in Kassel and is also produced there.

The new electric drive has been optimised above all in terms of energy consumption: depending on the battery size, WLTP ranges of up to 700 kilometres and charging capacities of up to 200 kW are forecast. The ID.7 thus underlines its long-distance suitability, especially for frequent drivers and fleet customers.

New running gear – high level of comfort and precise steering. The optional adaptive chassis control (DCC) and the driving dynamics manager of the limousine for long distance travel have been fundamentally enhanced. Thanks to the driving mode selection options, they offer a large spread between comfort and sportiness. Together with the newly applied progressive steering, the systems ensure precise driving behaviour and a maximum of stability. These technologies have also been put through their paces as part of the test drives in Spain.

Extremely spacious, new operating concept and reduced cockpit architecture. The spacious and high-quality interior offers plenty of room in both the front and rear seats. The cockpit has been completely redesigned and the size of the classic instruments has been significantly reduced. All the necessary standard information and warnings are displayed behind the steering wheel in the ID. cockpit. The driver receives other important information via the standard augmented reality head-up display. The heart of the display and operating concept is the Infotainment system display equipped as standard in the ID.7: measuring 38 centimetres (15 inches) across the diagonal, its operating concept has been fundamentally redesigned. For example, based on customer feedback, operation of the air conditioning has been permanently integrated on the top operating level. There are also freely configurable direct access buttons.

ergoActive seats: adaptive seat Climatronic and new massage system. Volkswagen has developed a new generation of driver and front passenger seats for the ID.7. Depending on the version, these new seats offer up to 14 electrical adjustment options. As well as adaptive seat Climatronic, they also have a completely newly designed massage function. In addition to the individual settings, the driver and front passenger can alternatively activate an automatic mode for the seat climate; here, temperature and moisture sensors in the seats detect the cooling and/or heating requirement and control the climate accordingly. The newly developed massage function of the optional ergoActive Premium seats for the driver and front passenger offers a particularly high level of comfort. In the ID.7 segment, the new seats define a standard that was previously known only in the luxury class.

ID.7 takes the ID. family to a new level. With its high-quality product concept, the ID.7 underlines its position as the electric flagship model of the ID. family. In addition to long ranges and an agile drive, it also offers a high level of travel comfort thanks to its new operating concept and spacious interior. With innovative technologies and a high-quality appearance, the new ID.7 clearly positions itself as an electric limousine for long distance travel in the upper mid-size class.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen dealers from all parts of the world are coming to Hamburg at the moment. Their destination is the “Brand Experience” where they are gaining fresh insights into the way that the brand plans to position itself in coming years and bring the term “Love Brand” to life. The focal points of the program extend well beyond the brand’s strategic position and its new design language and also include a detailed look at the brand’s future line of models. The 13,000 dealers attending the event are learning about 14 vehicles that are being planned for the next four years, including the second generation of the ID.3, the ID.7 and the showcar ID. 2all. They also have a chance to take a sneak peek at the still secret Tiguan and the future Passat.

“Car dealerships play a key role in vehicle sales today and will continue to play this role tomorrow. This is why we really want to have our dealers join our journey into the future, generate enthusiasm for our brand and jointly tackle future challenges”, explained Imelda Labbé, member of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen for Marketing, Sales and After Sales.

The core aspect of the Brand Experience is an emotional show. During the presentations, Labbé is being joined by Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer, Kai Grünitz (the member of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen responsible for Technical Development) and Andreas Mindt (the Head of Volkswagen Design). The speakers are introducing the visiting dealers to the brand’s future strategy and exciting them about the strong products and innovative digital services that the brand is planning. Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of the Volkswagen brand, said: “We are making Volkswagen a true Love Brand once again. Our dealers will play a key role in this process – because they are the individuals who have direct contact with our customers.”

During their visit to Hamburg, the dealers are also gaining insights into the company’s strategy: The brand plans to produce only e-vehicles in Europe starting in 2033 and will introduce ten new e-models by 2026. Other regions of the world will be electrified as well.

After the show, the dealership representatives have an opportunity to talk with the brand’s management team and technical experts. They can ask questions and actively share their ideas about the shape of the future. Labbé said of the event: “The aim is to jointly discuss the shifting future perspectives of the dealerships. After all, we can tackle the transformation of the traditional car business only with the help of our dealers.”

The dealers have been excited about the event from the very first days of the conference. They have traveled from such places as China, South America and India. Two focal points of the event have generated a tremendous amount of positive feedback in particular: the use of digitalization in future vehicles and the refinement of marketing communications. “The dealers are our link to our customers. This is why their feedback is so tremendously important to us,” Labbé said.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com