Volkswagen and Microsoft Driving the Collaboration Forward Automotive Cloud Extended to China and the US

EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE OF THE VOLKSWAGEN BRAND INSIDE.VOLKSWAGEN.COM

March 6, 2019 No. 02 inside Up for grabs: 50 x 2 tickets for the international match in Wolfsburg

Herbert Diess: What We Can Enter now! Learn from China inside is giving away 50 x 2 tickets Interview with Volkswagen CEO and for the international soccer match between Germany and Serbia Director of Chinese Operations about T-Roc R1 in the Volkswagen Arena. → PAGE 15 the need for new collaborations and why the Group and the brands must open to Chinese executives. → PAGE 6/7 Volkswagen and Microsoft Driving the Collaboration Forward Automotive Cloud extended to China and the US

The new Passat1 The development of the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud continues, declared CEO Herbert Diess and Microsoft boss Satya Nadella during a joint visit to the Volkswagen Digital Lab in Berlin. The Volkswagen Automotive Cloud, a kind of enormous storage device, is being expanded gradually, and will, in New Fire Station The ID. Buggy addition to Europe, soon be available in China and the US – the key markets for Opened the fully electric and fully networked ID. Gunnar Kilian and Bernd Osterloh model family of the future. inaugurate the new building in the Volkswagen at Volkswagen and Microsoft are also Wolfsburg plant. working on the first flagship projects for → PAGE 21 the Geneva Motor networked vehicle services. For exam- Show ple, swift progress is being made with the set-up of Volkswagen’s develop- Eight of the Volkswagen Group’s brands ment center in Seattle, which began in are presenting their innovations at the December. Geneva Motor Show on March 7–17. “Our strategic partnership with At the Volkswagen brand’s stand, which Microsoft is a key building block in is around the same size as half a soccer developing Volkswagen to become a pitch, the highlights include the Passat software-driven mobility provider,” said facelift, the T-Roc R, and the ID. Buggy Diess. “With the Volkswagen Automotive concept car. A project team of 20 people Cloud we are working on a globally har- worked on the exhibition for the brand. monized solution for our customers. Our The Swiss trade fair is one of the ability to scale up gives us an enormous world’s oldest and most prestigious mo- competitive advantage in this area.” tor shows, and has a global importance. Within the Group, the Volkswagen This year, the organizers expect more brand is leading the development of the Software Boss: than 600,000 visitors and around 150 Automotive Cloud, working in collabora- Strategy Stands world and European premieres. With the ID. Vizzion²: CEO Herbert Diess (left) and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella during a visit tion with partners. → PAGE 16/17/18 to the Volkswagen Digital Lab in Berlin. → PAGE 9 Christian Senger became Board Member for Digital Car & Services in March. He reveals in an interview what makes the new department so Kaluga Is Still Most Efficient unusual. → PAGE 5 Russian site wins Production’s plant competition for the second time running T-Cross: Getting Off to a Great Start The Russian plant Kaluga has won time running is a fantastic achievement Production’s global efficiency competi- for our plant and for the whole Kaluga tion “Transformer of the Year 2018.” The team. This title is also proof of the location repeated last year’s success by outstanding performance of this team,” achieving maximum ratings in five out says Plant Manager Stefan Depka. of seven key performance indicators. The competition not only establishes Second and third places were taken which plant works most efficiently, by the plants in Palmela (Portugal) it also shows just as strikingly where and Bratislava (Slovakia). The awards the teams buckle down for their ceremony was held as part of the location. There is no prize money for Production round table in Wolfsburg. the winners – it’s about something In interview with inside, Series The winning team from Kaluga attended much bigger: pride. Incidentally, the Director Andreas Krüger discusses via a live feed. “To have won the title of competition has a new name this year: the successful start of production ‘Transformer of the Year’ for the second race4TRANSFORMATION. Winners: The team at the Kaluga plant wins the competition for the second time. at four locations. → PAGE 19

¹ Concept car. ² Near-production-ready concept car. Group New standard workstation: “Telephone booth”: new individual workstation Volkswagen AG, at Porsche AG, Zuffenhausen. New workspace: project room IT City Wolfsburg. at Audi AG, Ingolstadt.

...AND THE CELL STRUCTURE IS BROKEN UP: A VOLKSWAGEN OFFICE WING AFTER THE RENOVATION PRINCIPLE

– FLEXIBLE – – COLLABORATIVE – – INNOVATIVE – PRINCIPLE 2 “Eight hours sitting in one work- “At the work café, I spontaneously run into “In our new project room, we can – ON EQUAL FOOTING – PRINCIPLE space is a thing of the past.” colleagues from other departments.” PRINCIPLE PRINCIPLE work creatively for several days.” – MODULAR – “The boss used to sit in the glass “In the new office, I can find 1 box…” 4 3 5 the right place for every job.”

Department focused on agile work Department focused on customer contact New Workplaces: Fünf Prinzipien für einen Volkswagen Office Trakt

01 Standard 03 Telephone 06 Meeting 02 Thinker cell 11 Work café 04 Temporary 09 Project room 10 Pitch & 07 Meeting 12 Safe haven 14 Special workspace booth room S workspace Scrum area room M recreational area Office Workstations of the Future New handbook with room modules for different requirements

hat do the office worksta- places such as the think tank, project exchange. The aim is to create an The heart of the almost 100-page very clearly, for example, in our new tions of the future look workspaces, or modules for informal attractive, creative environment.” handbook is a guide to analyzing the IT labs, where agile processes are W like at Volkswagen? 40 forms of work in a team. The book, frequently used. Naturally, this has experts from nine Group brands and which is available exclusively in dig- an influence on the design of office companies worked on this question. ital form with plenty of pictures and workplaces. If we provide orientation They recorded their results in a strat- graphics, helps to find and combine for the workspaces of the future at egy book, which shows how rooms the appropriate room modules. It also Volkswagen with the handbook, then can be designed and realized, and shows how small steps can improve we have achieved an important goal.” how they should provide inspiration the working environment. Dohme: and orientation. “Our handbook, ‘New Workplaces’, is Leading the project are Ann-Kathrin intended for everyone in the compa- i Dohme and Thomas Rühl from the ny who’s interested – from managers HR Strategy & Innovation division. to office planners.” Digital Handbook Dohme: “We’ve established five prin- Chief Human Resources Office ciples that are reflected in a catalog Gunnar Kilian: “Volkswagen is in a The “New Workplaces” handbook of fourteen room modules: Offices phase of upheaval. This can be seen is available exclusively in should adapt to people’s activities digital form. Those interested can and needs, and promote teamwork at Heading the find the document available to eye level.” “New Work- download as a PDF from Rühl: “The office wing of the places” project: Group Connect here: future offers more than just the Thomas Rühl https://soco.volkswagen.com/ standard workstations: for example, (left) and sbc/docs/DOC-61487 Ann-Kathrin it also offers quiet individual work- Dohme. New Group Software to Strengthen Teamwork Office 365 is gradually being deployed – more storage space for employees

he conversion to Office 365 indirect workplace (office workspac- attachments and documents from the software will begin in the next es) by the end of the year. IT will smartphone. Müller: “The intro- T few weeks. It’s meant to make migrate a total of 423,000 mailboxes. duction of Office 365 is a strategic working in a team easier. inside “The individual departments will be decision by the Group management. answers the most important questions: contacted again and informed by us Employees should view Volkswagen six weeks in advance,” says project as an even more of an attractive What is Office 365? leader Martina Sandfuchs. employer.” Many Volkswagen employees know the Office software by Microsoft What are the advantages to What about through programs like Word, Excel, employees? the Cloud? PowerPoint, and Outlook. The new First, the email inboxes will be One important aspect of Office 365 is Office 365 is a Cloud-based evolution, changed. This alone should make the use of the Cloud. “Each employee containing a total of more than 40 itself felt for employees. “In the will receive a personal Cloud storage applications and services. “It’s meant future, their storage space for emails space of one terabyte. In the future, they to make office work in the Volkswa- and attachments will multiply from will be able to store their documents, gen Group more flexible,” says Mario two gigabytes to 100 gigabytes,” says presentations, and images there,” says Müller, Head of IT Integration & Sandfuchs. In principle, Office 365 is Sandfuchs. According to IT, this is Working on the Office 365 introduction in Wolfsburg: Project Manager Martina Sandfuchs, Services. intended to promote collaborative done in strict compliance with all Florian Bergsma, Martin Mensing, and Carsten Finck (from left to right). work: “The way we communicate and data protection and data security Who will be affected by interact online will be made easier,” regulations. In the future, documents the changeover? says Müller. In the future, employees will be stored in Microsoft’s European “Storage space for emails will Office 365 will be introduced Group- will be able to better share infor- data centers. “They meet the highest wide. The first step starts with mation with colleagues and work international security standards,” says multiply from two gigabytes to Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial on documents at the same time. In Sandfuchs. “This procedure is safer Vehicles, and Audi. The aim is to addition, mobile work should become than storing data on the hard drives 100 gigabytes.” Martina Sandfuchs gradually convert all employees in the easier, especially access to email of individual PCs.”

2 inside Group

Names & News

Jörg Müller (56), Change Must Succeed previously the Head of inside interview with Thomas Meiers, Head of the Central Coordination Monitor Production and Logistics in the Volkswagen Group China in Beijing, he monitorship of Larry D. took over the manage- Thompson and his US team at ment of the Osnabrück Volkswagen has been sched- site on March 1. He followed Ulrich T Riestenpatt gt. Richter as Management uled to last three years. The first half Spokesperson and Managing Director is over, but there’s still plenty of work of Technology, who has headed to do. The monitor made further rec- Volkswagen Osnabrück GmbH ommendations in his second report since 2016 and will be available to from February 8. The implementation Volkswagen AG in an advisory ca- deadline is in 120 days. inside spoke pacity until the end of the year. Jörg with Thomas Meiers (48), who heads Müller holds a degree in electrical the Central Coordination Monitor. engineering and has worked for the In this role, he is responsible for Group for 29 years. From 2002, his working at the interface between the responsible functions included plant Monitor team and the company. management in Braunschweig, from 2005 onwards, Operations Director What makes Volkswagen’s at Volkswagen do Brasil, from 2007 monitoring tasks so complex? onwards, Group Representative, and Larry D. Thompson has a double then Head of Volkswagen in India, mandate – as monitor and audi- before moving to the Volkswagen tor. For our team and the specialist Group China in 2013. His last position departments involved in the Group, there was Vice President of Production this means: two work plans, two and Logistics. approaches to the procedure and two reporting lines. Not only individual specialist departments are affected, Andrea Morgan- but also many aspects throughout Schönwetter (43) the Group – with numerous brands, has been head of the regions, and subsidiaries. Third: the newly created Recruit- sheer complexity of the Volkswagen ing and HR Marketing Group challenges us every day. department in Wolfs- burg since the beginning How does it show in everyday life of the year. Prior to this, she worked that Volkswagen gives top for Deutsche Telekom for 18 years in various positions in personnel mar- priority to monitoring? keting and recruiting. The graduate The Executive Board have made this a in business administration already matter for the top-level management. set up a central recruiting center at At numerous meetings and written Keeping the threads together: Thomas Meiers is responsible for working at the interface between the Monitor team and the company. Deutsche Telekom. Morgan-Schön- examinations, they have dealt inten- wetter is responsible for the Group sively with this issue and significantly These reports are confidential and and brand, and reports directly to strengthened the Group’s Integrity will not be published. At the same Chief Human Resources Officer and Legal department in terms of “The Monitor’s recommendations time, Thompson’s team produced a Gunnar Kilian. In a pilot project, she personnel. Additional compliance second report in August 2018, which will initially push the recruitment of experts were hired in the relevant will help us make Volkswagen an evaluates us in terms of compliance software developers and IT experts. specialist areas. This enabled us, and the environment. This can also for example, to further develop the even better, more ethical company.” be viewed online via a link on the existing whistleblower system more corporate website. And we’re prepar- quickly. In addition, the Executive ing for the second auditor report of Board has adopted the Group-wide packages of measures put together. collected a lot of material and orga- the Independent Compliance Auditor, “Together4Integrity” program as the Everyone is working hard to make the nized discussions for the monitor. which will be published in August 2019. umbrella for all measures relating to necessary changes. But with a hulk At the end of March 2018, the There is still much to do and integrity, compliance, and cultural like the Volkswagen Group, this isn’t Independent Compliance Monitor much to achieve. But above all, we change. Like the Group strategy, going to happen overnight. issued its initial review report, and see monitoring as an opportunity, Together4Integrity is geared to the the Group had to implement its rec- and will draw the right conclusions year 2025, not just to the end of our The monitoring is scheduled until June ommendations in just 150 days. The for the future viability of the Group. monitoring. Of course, everyone 2020. What is Volkswagen like today, recommendations from the second We are convinced that the Monitor’s is aware of how much depends on and what is the timetable until 2020? report, the first follow-up report from recommendations will help us make us succeeding in effecting change. In the last few months, we have February 8, must be implemented Volkswagen an even better, more The new user interface. The objectives are defined and the reached some important milestones, within a period of only 120 days. ethical company. i.Serve Ordering Portal Integrity: 74 Workshops, 1,000 Participants is Now my.Serve The Group-wide and internationally Until April: discussions among employees from the direct workplace in Wolfsburg about integrity used order portal i.Serve has a new, modern user interface with many ven if courage can’t be mea- These and other questions have been new functionalities. Also new: since sured, 74 integrity workshops and will continue to be extensively late-February, it has been renamed Ewith around 1,000 participants discussed in the event series for the my.Serve. have so far provided a good impetus direct workplace until April. Wolfs- The redesign was carried out after for change. This was also demon- burg plant manager Stefan Loth also a lot of feedback from users and with strated by the fact that two dozen of attended an Integrity Workshop. the help of new modern technologies. the participants took the opportuni- He says: “The Integrity Workshop is Among other things, ordering process- ty to visit the workshop to become a good tool for exchanging ideas. The es and approvals are now even more integrity ambassadors: They want subject of integrity is very important efficient and clearly arranged. to actively support and help shape to me personally – also with a view to cultural change in their areas. the future of our plant.” my.Serve is accessible: Team spokespeople from Produc- The aim of the workshop, to be tion and Components, but also fore- more courageous, is to help address from the Intranet at men, production section managers, the things that go wrong and thus https://iserve.vw.vwg/myserve and employee representatives: They provide the impetus for change. The online at all used their time in the Integri- many good discussions are a strong https://iserve.volkswagen.de/myserve ty Workshop to learn more about signal that Volkswagen’s employees Discussions: plenty of by entering the abbreviation integrity in everyday professional are mastering this task together. opportunity at the “myServe” in your web browser life. In which seemingly banal situ- “It has become clear that honest and Integrity Workshops. entering the abbreviation “iServe,” ations is it important to act coura- decent behavior is a matter of course has redirected users automatically to geously and sincerely? What good for participants in the Integrity Work- my.Serve since February 28 ideas have employees used to bring shop,” emphasizes Factory Manager Open dialog in a large if a link to i.Serve has been saved as about changes that promote cultural Beate Eilermann. “Integrity is already roundtable: integrity is a Favorite, it should be converted to change? firmly anchored in the team today.” firmly anchored in the team. the new URL for my.Serve

inside 3 Group/Brand Fakultät 73 Has Been Launched Qualification program for 100 future IT specialists – Successful participants to get a permanent contract

2018 Was t’s starting! After a year of plan- in one of Volkswagen’s future areas. ning, ‘Fakultät 73’ has been offi- Volkswagen gains highly trained and a Successful Year Icially opened. Ralph Linde (Head urgently needed IT specialists.” of the Volkswagen Group Academy), Works Council Coordinator for the Group the Chairman of the GBR Education Gerardo Scarpino: “The Fakultät 73 Committee Gerardo Scarpino, and training follows on from successful The Volkswagen Group had a successful Ralf Brunken (CIO of Skoda and internal qualification programs 2018. Sales increased by €6.3 billion to future Head of the AutoUni) were for colleagues in IT initiated by €235.8 billion, while operating profit be- among the key- the Works Council. It is a fore special items was €17.1 (17.0) bil- note speakers at sensible supplement to lion, on a par with the previous year. At the AutoUni. vocational training, 7.3 percent (7.4 percent), the operating In the ‘Fac- dual degrees, and return on sales before special items was ulty 73’ qualifi- traditional further at the upper end of the target range. cation program, education. The Operating profit amounted to €13.9 Volkswagen has program is aimed (13.8) billion and, as in the previous year, established its primarily at trainees and was negatively impacted by special items own training employees of Volkswagen of €3.2 (3.2) billion relating to the diesel center for IT AG, but also at external crisis. Net liquidity in the Automotive Starting at AutoUni: and software candidates. The participants division remained solid at €19.4 (22.4) bil- Ralph Linde, 100 participants are gaining lion. The sustained positive development Head of the development we have in the first year make me ticipants has now started the training. a qualification as IT specialists at Volkswagen Group on the AutoUni confident that we will soon be getting “I’m looking forward to learning as Fakultät 73. of operating profits was driven by a Academy slight increase in the number of vehicles campus. excellent recruits for our IT depart- much as possible and to applying it delivered – up 0.9 percent to 10.8 mil- Volkswagen ment.” in practice,” says Marcel Dos Anjos. i lion vehicles worldwide. A new record is actively tackling the shortage of “Working on Fakultät 73 is a lot Bräunlein: “When selecting candi- for us. IT specialists and giving people the of fun for the whole team because dates, it was not important to us what What is Fakultät 73? Group CEO Herbert Diess: “We did opportunity to complete a two-year we are making a very concrete and formal qualifications someone had well in 2018, especially against the qualification as a software sustainable or what kind of work they ● There were 1500 applicants, backdrop of the WLTP changeover, developer in the automo- contribution were currently doing. We half internal and half external. which led to considerable distortions in tive industry. to the ongoing were interested in the po- ● 91 men and 9 women obtained our sales development. The headwind in Ralph Linde: “For the digitalization of tential and motivation they a place certain important markets will probably first year of many, we Volkswagen,” could bring to software ● The average age is 29 – the be even tougher in 2019. Our e-of- have selected the 100 best says Project development.” youngest participant is 19, the oldest 42. fensive will take off with new models. applicants from 1500. With Manager Gregor That is why the start- ● 72 colleagues were selected Overall, however, considerable effort will its innovative qualification Bräunlein, who is er group is such a varied internally and 28 externally. be necessary to achieve our ambitious approach, Fakultät 73 is looking forward bunch: There are partic- ● The qualification takes 2 years goals in the new financial year.” a win-win situation for to exciting times ipants with and without to complete everyone: The participants ahead. professional qualifications, Gerardo Scarpino, Gregor Bräunlein, ● Successful participants are You can find further information at build on their qualifica- The first year and they range in age from Works Council Project Manager offered permanent contracts. inside.volkswagen.com tions and have a secure job Coordinator group of 100 par- 19 to 43.

4 inside Group/Brand

New Head of Software: The First Interview In office since March: Board Member Christian Senger (44) has big plans for the new Digital Car & Services division

hristian Senger (44), the first Member of the Management i C Board responsible for software Christian Senger (44) in the history of the Volkswagen brand, took up his new role at the be- has been the Member of the ginning of this month. inside caught Volkswagen Management up with him for an interview. Board with responsibility for the Digital Car & Services Division since the beginning of March. Why does Volkswagen need a board The mechanical engineer member for software? Or, to put it started his career in 1997 another way, why are hardware and at BMW in Munich. He held software separate? various managerial positions The digital complexity of our vehi- there, including Head of Energy cles is increasing year on year. Our Management and Head of vehicles are turning into “tablets on BMW i Product Concepts. In wheels.” This means that, in future, 2012, he moved to Continental we will be introducing more and in Regensburg, where he was more digital functions and services Head of Automotive Systems & in our vehicles. For example, we will New Board Member for Software Technology. When he moved need up to a billion lines of code for since the beginning of March: to Volkswagen in 2016, Senger fully autonomous cars. By way of Christian Senger. became Head of the e-Mobility comparison, today’s Golf has 50 to series. He established this area 100 million lines of code. and made a key contribution to At present, the development of advancing the brand’s electric software and services in the compa- vehicle offensive. ny is very much distributed across all brands and a large number of stakeholders. This results in hardly any synergies. The rapidly growing volume and complexity of software Will all software be created in the Soft- Our aims are clear: requires group-wide software solu- Herbert Diess on ware division in the future? ● to set up a new cross-brand tions and intelligent mobility con- the new software division The goal is to increasingly separate and cross-regional software cepts in order to be effective and hardware and Software from each organization, future-proof. By bundling them “The amount of software in cars is other. ● to significantly increase in-house into one software supply chain, increasing rapidly, and represents an In the future, the Software division competence and performance, we improve the overall digital expe- will be primarily responsible for pro- ● to respond more flexibly to vehicle rience for our customers and users. ever-larger share of the total value ducing the software that is used for requirements, It is already clear that the new cross- added, and is thus a significant factor digital products in our vehicles and ● to deliver and regularly roll out brand Digital Car & Services division in the performance and characteristics of mobility services. This also includes attractive software solutions, is the only one of its kind in the auto- our vehicles. That is why, at Volkswagen, we intend to the software for vehicle-to-vehicle ● to get projects off the ground motive industry. The combined forces in a timely manner, fundamentally strengthen software development. communication, backend, and cloud of Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen solutions, for example. Hardware-re- ● to increase the value of the make us an attractive choice for ex- Christian Senger will press ahead vigorously with this lated software will continue to be company. perts and talents in digitalization and in his new position.” developed in Technical Development. software. These are important measured vari- In what way is Volkswagen engaged in ables. But the satisfaction of my em- What are you doing in your first time, we are working on establishing It is your job to shape the group’s soft- competition with Apple and Google? ployees is also a key indicator. With 100 days? a new joint software organization ware activities. How will the brands Google and Apple are of course the our new department, we have a great My team and I are working flat-out under which we will bundle our collaborate in the future? big players in the digital business. At opportunity to focus not only on the to develop and implement the nec- vehicle-related software activities. We are setting up a joint software the moment, however, neither one is customer and the user, but also on our essary structures and working mod- Necessary measures in inventory organization, particularly from an expert in our field, namely build- employees. We want to give them a els for the new department. How- organization must be designed in within the main brands Audi, ing outstanding vehicles. Our goal high degree of personal responsibility. ever, we are not building the new such a way that current production Porsche, and Volkswagen. There, is to keep the vehicle and mobility They should be able to make import- organization from scratch, because launches are not jeopardized. This we will create a common software operating system in Volkswagen’s ant decisions, and to identify with there are already a large number of requires a high level of discipline platform for all brands, which will hands. This is the only way we can their products and their work. Quite well-functioning units in the com- and willingness to change from all be used in a binding manner. This remain a valuable partner for individ- simply, my employees should enjoy pany. In the first 100 days, the main participants. This will be a great organization will be at several ual mobility in and around the vehicle creating something extraordinary task is to stabilize the functionality challenge, but I am sure that we will locations, making it possible for for our customers and users. and look forward to coming to work. of currently critical projects and to overcome it as a team and put our colleagues to work at their home What we are planning is decisive for avoid jeopardizing this functionality company in a strong position with locations for this common software By which results would you like to be our future. Let’s take on the challenge by the reorganization. At the same the new department. stack. judged? together! I’m looking forward to it.

Volkswagen Brand: New Management Structure Brandstätter assumes responsibility for series, while Sommer leads procurement for the Group and brand

he Volkswagen brand is aligning ment work and corporate tasks. In Product Safety Committee remains involved in his parallel function as its management structure with another change, responsibility for the the responsibility of Herbert Diess. Head of Corporate Research and T future topics. As part of the new Group and Brand Procurement divi- The change gives the CEO greater Development, and is promoting the Stefan Sommer, Member of the Group distribution of responsibilities within sion will be merged. freedom for strategic tasks within the development of alternative drive Executive Board, is responsible for the brand’s management board, the Group. concepts, pioneering assistance sys- procurement for both the Group and Digital Car & Services division was The changes tems, and sustainable mobility within the brand. Putting responsibility for formed on March 1 (see article above). in detail: the brand. The E-Mobility series will Volkswagen brand procurement in The brand is thus increasing its im- remain assigned to the E-Mobility the hands of the pact and the speed of implementation Ralf Brandstät- In addition, COO Management Board division. Head of Group in the rapidly advancing digitalization ter, who as Chief Ralf Brandstätter Division helps and networking of the car. Operating Officer takes over the to streamline Under the brand’s new management (COO) manag- Small, Compact The newly created Digital Car & Ser- internal pro- structure, responsibility for series and es the brand’s and Mid/Full vices division, which Christian Senger cesses and cre- for quality assurance lies with the Chief operational series, which pre- is establishing and managing, bundles ate synergies. Operating Officer. Volkswagen is thus business, will be viously reported the brand’s software activities. At the pooling responsibility for its products responsible for to Frank Welsch. same time, Senger, as Head of Digital and strengthening the management the brand’s value As Head of Tech- Car & Services for the Group, is re- of its operating business. At the same engineering and nical Develop- sponsible for Group-wide cooperation time, Technical Development is given quality assurance. ment, Welsch is on software concepts and intelligent more scope for conceptual develop- Ralf Brandstätter However, the more intensively Frank Welsch mobility concepts. Stefan Sommer

inside 5 “We Need to Get the Young Chinese Middle Class Excited” In this interview: CEO Herbert Diess on the importance of the Chinese market for the Group

Mr. Diess, you have been in charge of is being rigorously implemented, the benchmark. Our partners, such the Group Executive Board Division which means Volkswagen has to as the FAW Group and SAIC, are now China since mid-January. What do change at the right speed too. We are on a par with us. If we don’t want to you see as the greatest challenges? the market leader. We must remain miss the boat, we must work closely There is no other market in the at the forefront of development. with our long-standing partners. New world where the technolog- That’s what our Chinese customers collaborations are just as import- ical transformation towards expect of us. ant, because in China – as in the US electrification, digitalization, – there are internet giants that set networking, and automated How is Volkswagen currently posi- standards. Likewise, the emerging driving is progressing as rap- tioned in China? What do we have to do start-ups within the digital sector and idly as in China. In addition, and what are the next steps? the many mobility service providers the Chinese government Our Chinese joint venture companies are extremely agile and innovative. has a clear development are leaders within the Volkswagen This potential must also be exploit- plan that extends to 2025 Group in terms of productivity, ed for developments that are useful – and that includes the quality – particularly product starts not only for the Chinese market, but automotive industry. This – efficiency, and profitability. That’s worldwide.

New Brand Is Called JETTA Volkswagen now offers models specially aimed at a young target group in China Herbert Diess, Group CEO, Volkswagen ETTA will be Volkswagen’s new AG. brand in China. It is aimed par- J ticularly at young customers. “With JETTA, we are closing the gap in China between the established lead brand Volkswagen in the upper volume segment and entry-level mo- bility, which accounts for around one third of the Chinese market and is primarily served by local brands. That will allow us to increase our Jürgen Stackmann, market cov- Sales Director. erage signifi- cantly,” says Jürgen Stackmann, Sales Director of the Volkswagen brand. The number of vehicles is Starting signal: Qin Huanming, Vice President of the China FAW Group and Herbert Diess at still very the presentation of the new brand in Wolfsburg. low in numerous with fewer than 100 cars per 1000 in- range, produced by FAW-Volkswagen megacities habitants in many places. At the same in Chengdu, includes a sedan and two outside time, a steadily growing middle class SUVs. The sales launch is planned for metropoli- is striving for individual mobility by the third quarter of this year. tan regions owning a car of their own for the first “In China, the Jetta plays an such as time. With the new JETTA brand, extremely valuable role for us as a Beijing and Harald Müller, Volkswagen intends to address these Volkswagen model. It has brought Shanghai, JETTA Brand CEO. customers in particular. JETTA’s model mobility to the masses, as the Beetle

6 inside Group/Brand “We Need to Get the Young Chinese Middle Class Excited” In this interview: CEO Herbert Diess on the importance of the Chinese market for the Group

What can we learn from China? How therefore has the potential to grow It is my goal to intensify the exist- must we adapt our strategy? for Europe. We must develop and from a successful model into a suc- ing collaborations. We have a lot to It’s the speed and efficiency with produce in China, for China. the numerous megacities beyond the cessful brand, especially among the offer – and together we can be the which Chinese companies implement metropolitan regions such as Shanghai young Chinese middle class: We need strongest alliance in the industry. technological innovations – that’s With the new JETTA brand, Volkswagen or Beijing, where vehicle density is to get them excited about Volkswagen. This is a great opportunity for us what we can learn from them. China is now systematically pursuing this very low. In these areas, it is primar- By establishing the new brand, we and we need to take advantage of it. has now become an important auto- path. How did the idea for the new ily young customers and the large have taken an important step in this At the same time, however, we also motive powerhouse. That is where we brand come about? number of first-time buyers who have direction. My thanks go to the entire have to open up as a group and in the need to aim our strategy. That is why In China, Jetta is a symbol for attain- a significant need for mobility. We are JETTA team who have successfully brands to more Chinese executives. I have personally assumed responsi- able, individual mobility. This is the answering that need without having realized this project, putting in a lot We can benefit from their exper- bility for China on the Group Execu- model with which we put China on to reposition the Volkswagen brand. of energy and commitment. That tise, diligence, and entrepreneurial tive Board. Stephan Wöllenstein, with four wheels in the 1990s. With more With the launch of the JETTA brand, was a very impressive achievement, spirit. Professional and intercultural his wealth of experience of China, than 300,000 vehicles sold per year, it whose model portfolio includes a se- congratulations. exchange is of great value to all of us manages the operative business. We is one of our successful models in the dan and two SUVs, we are combining and to our business. We must be open can no longer produce and sell cars in world’s largest market. And this mar- tradition and quality with attractive What other strategic steps present to this if we want to enjoy continued China that were designed in Europe ket is developing rapidly, especially in design and modern technology. JETTA themselves? success in China in the future.

Top 10 Volkswagen Group models in China

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200,000

150,000 466,800 326,600 312,800 290,300 270,800 243,700 228,400 167,100 164,800 149,900

100,000 50,000 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lavida Jetta Sagitar Tiguan Santana Bora sedan Magotan Passat A4 sedan A6 sedan

In addition to two SUV models (top), the new brand also offers a sedan. This is intended to appeal in particular to young first-time buyers in China. Concentrated interest: International business journalists at the presentation of the new JETTA brand in Wolfsburg.

once did in Europe. To this day, Stackmann. New approaches are also dealers are expected to offer the new the Jetta remains one of the most being pursued in sales. JETTA is set- brand. popular Volkswagen models in China ting up its own dealer network and In China, the Volkswagen brand – a true icon. That is why, for the is approaching its customers directly delivered 3.11 million vehicles to custo- first time in Volkswagen’s history, with innovative sales formats: with mers last year (-2.1 percent year-on-year). we are turning a model into a brand digitalized showrooms, with mobile With a share of almost 50 percent with the Jetta, and are developing a sales trucks, and in shopping malls. of worldwide deliveries, China is model and brand family for it,” says By the end of the year, around 200 Volkswagen’s largest single market.

inside 7 Brand Company Pension Scheme: It All Started 70 Years Ago Anniversary celebration: Department looks back – and is calling on employees to take control of their retirement plans

Experts from t has been part of Production in Volkswagen for I70 years, and is more Wolfsburg pertinent than ever today: the company pension They came to Wolfsburg from 16 Volks­ scheme. It was Managing wagen brand locations: 120 experts Director Heinrich Nordhoff from Production got together in Wolfs­ who launched the scheme burg. For two days, they brainstormed in 1949. In a letter written ideas for measurable and sustainable at the time, he stated that productivity gains. In the center of it all: the aim of the scheme was to Head of Production Andreas Tostmann. pay “employees with benefits The event was organized to mark the towards their statutory retire- World Building Plan. The new plan is Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft ment pensions.” In addition, he It all started in 1949: pursuing a goal of rolling out technology arranged for employees who passed Heinrich Nordhoff and processes away to receive 4,000 Deutschmarks. launched the pension to Volkswagen scheme. production that There to answer all your questions: some of the are available im­ 84,000 retired members of the Pension Management team, pho- mediately and are employees currently tographed on Südstrasse at the Wolfsburg plant. receive a Volkswagen Left: Beetle production 70 years ago. That was when easy to copy. employees received the first retirement benefits. With just un­ pension der 100 “source measures” from Nowadays, the company Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft i various divisions pension is the most import- and locations, six ant social benefit offered says Teslau. After all, Here’s how the company Andreas Tostmann, teams got right to at Volkswagen AG, and the statutory pensions are no Head of Production work: specialists consistency and stability of longer enough to maintain pension scheme at Volkswagen AG works from the Press the pension scheme makes Tania Michaelis, the standard of living in Shop, Body Shop, it one of the company’s and employee working as retirement that people The company pension scheme is ● In addition, Contributory Pension part of the pension Paint Shop, Assembly, and Logistics pre­ the works council’s biggest achieve during their work- comprised of three components: Scheme II was added in 1998, team. which allows employees to divert sented measures with a lot of potential success stories. “Some ing lives. That’s why the ● Volkswagen AG finances a basic a portion of their salary to the while at the same time acting on inno­ 84,000 retired employees Volkswagen AG company pension provision. Among other company pension scheme under vative solutions from other plants. currently receive a com- pension scheme offers an things, the amount is based on deferred compensation. Attendees spent the second day pany pension,” says Tania additional component: an employee’s gross pensionable of the event reporting on just how Michaelis, who works its Contributory Pension earnings and job tenure. These components all come togeth­ economical it could be to implement in the Pension and Time Scheme II, launched by the suggested measures at particular er to form the company pension Asset Bond department in the works council in 1998. production plants. From plant manager ● Contributory Pension Scheme I generally paid to retired employees Wolfsburg. Volkswagen AG Employees can use the to Head of Finance to Head of Industrial was launched through a collec­ with a retirement pension or pension currently provides an em- scheme to supplement engineering, every single decision maker tive agreement in 1996. It is also for reduced earning capacity provided ployer-financed company their company pensions had a seat at the table. By the end of the financed by the employer. A new based on statutory pension insurance. pension scheme for more by diverting a portion of event, an agreement was in place for Johannes Teslau, feature will be added in July 2019: If an employee passes away, surviving each location, which was confirmed by than 118,000 active em- Head of Pensions and their salary. The most recent pay negotiations beneficiaries (spouses/registered civil the executive board and plant managers. ployees. “That’s more than Time Asset Bonds. For example, an employ- resulted in an increase in the partners, children up to 18 years old “The methodology used here helps 200,000 people who rely on ee who diverts 100 euros amount contributed per month generally) are entitled to a pension. to quickly share good ideas across us for all things retirement a month from their gross for each full-time employee from different locations worldwide,” said Uwe pension. The only way this salary starting at age 20 27 euros to 90 euros. Starting General information about the com­ Schwartz (Head of Brand Planning), who works is with a committed, will receive a gross monthly January 2020, future dynamic pany pension scheme is available organized the event. Co-organizer Martin expert team and well-re- retirement pension totaling wage developments will bring this on the Personnel Portal. For specific Goede (Head of Technology Planning hearsed processes,” says 485 euros from Contributory up to 98 euros. questions, employees can contact the and Development) added, “This intensive Michaelis. Pension Scheme II if they pension management team: kind of discussion allows teams to share But to celebrate 70 years retire at age 65. According to [email protected] their skills and expertise with each other of the company pension Teslau, this makes for quite more quickly and consistently.” scheme, the department, an attractive model, but one headed by Johannes Teslau, that not enough employees schemes available at many other council, workforce, and labor union Sandra Bruder, Works wants to do more than just Council Representative are taking advantage of. companies. Among other things, will continue to press ahead with the look back over the past and Chair of the Social Just 13 percent of employ- this is evident from the increase in issue. After all, we want retirees to be seven decades. It wants Committee. ees covered by collective the employer contribution rate for financially secure after spending their to shine a spotlight on the agreements subscribed to Contributory Pension Scheme I nego- working lives at Volkswagen,” says topic of retirement pensions. “Each the scheme in 2018. tiated during a pay dispute; the rate Sandra Bruder, Works Council Rep- and every employee should take “The company pension scheme will increase to 90 euros per month resentative and Chair of the Social control of their retirement planning,” at Volkswagen is better than the starting this summer. The works Committee.

How Employees View the Company Pension Scheme: Full speed ahead for the environment: Employees from Volkswagen Navarra and students. A Retiree and a Current Employee Report on Their Experiences

Klaus Konstroffer, 70 Cina Blecker, 22 Students Plant “I worked for Volkswagen in “I’ve been working for the company since Wolfsburg for 38 years, most of September 2015, and completed training to Trees and Shrubs that time in production in Hall 80. become an office manager in Office Man­ Our job was to get vehicles ready agement. I now work as a team assistant Volkswagen Navarra worked with for press events. It was a great time in Monitorship in Wolfsburg. Nowadays, students to plant 50 trees and shrubs on in my life. To be honest, I didn’t it’s impossible to be sure just how much of the plant grounds in Pamplona in north­ spend much time thinking about a pension you’ll ultimately end up receiv­ ern Spain. They were planted to replace retirement in those days. And why ing. That’s why I started paying 35 euros green spaces should I? I had a good job. Thank­ a month through Contributory Pension that were removed to build a new fully, when Contributory Pension Scheme II back when I was a trainee. It employee parking lot. The children also Scheme II was launched in 1998, made very little difference to my pay in the participated in road safety training. my colleagues and I signed up right end. I tend to think that I’ll need it more later Social responsibility and environ­ away. I finally retired in 2008, but At the than I do now. In general, I think that young mental protection have a long history at company shortly before that I was seriously people nowadays are better informed than Volkswagen Navarra: 45 percent of the since 2015: concerned about how much I would they were 30 or 40 years ago. You hear so premises are green spaces. More than Spent 38 years at Volkswagen: Cina Blecker end up getting. I now have 30 per­ Klaus Konstroffer (pictured here works in much about it in the media. The good thing 700 plant species, mostly native to the cent more money in addition to my with his wife, Felicitas). Monitorship. about Contributory Pension Scheme II is that area, provide a perfect habitat for birds and insects. The road safety training state pension. It definitely helps I can be flexible. I can stop paying in for a project for children has been running now that rent and food prices are year or change the amount I pay in. And I since 1999. increasing.” know what I’ll be getting at a minimum.”

8 inside Group/Brand Partnership with Microsoft Herbert Diess and Satya Nadella met at the Volkswagen Digital Lab in Berlin – Automotive Cloud for Europe, China, and the US

EO Herbert Diess and is building its own cloud-based plat- the visit to the Volkswagen Digital Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella form with help from well-known US Lab. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella C announced in Berlin that software group Microsoft, which will stressed, “Our partnership will see the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud simply act as a huge digital storage Volkswagen develop new mobility would gradually be expanded. Beyond space. This lays the groundwork for services that advance Volkswagen’s Europe, the “data cloud” will eventu- Volkswagen to always be “online” in transformation into a software-driven ally be available in China and the US future, ultimately becoming rolling mobility provider, shaping the future – the key markets for the fully electric smartphones. of mobility for people the world over.” and fully networked ID. family. The “Our strategic partnership with Volkswagen aims to expand the first ID. model will initially be sold in Microsoft is a key building block in Automotive Cloud, currently devel- Europe and China starting next year, developing Volkswagen to become a oped for Europe, to China and the and in the US starting in 2022. software-driven mobility provider,” US. There, too, the Microsoft Azure For a bit of background, Volkswagen said Group CEO Herbert Diess during cloud platform will form the basis

Starting next year: the first ID. model will initially be sold in Europe and China and in the US starting in 2022.

for the growing digital ecosystem – And if that were not enough, the totality of all the digital services Volkswagen and Microsoft are also available in vehicles. The Volkswagen working on the first key projects for brand is in charge of development for networked vehicle services. Two ex- the Group. amples of this include developing an Christian Senger, Brand Manager intelligent car that is always connect- for Digital Car & Services and Head ed to the internet with a navigation of Digital Car & Services within the system that automatically determines Group, is in charge of the Volkswagen the destination based on the driver’s Automotive Cloud. He says, “It will calendar entries. Drivers will also be serve as the global technological able to automatically dial in to con- centerpiece of our digital eco- ference calls. system. At the same time, we are Progress is also being made in introducing powerful new software setting up a Volkswagen development architecture in our vehicles. This center in Seattle in the northwest of will allow us to lay the groundwork the US, where Microsoft is headquar- Discussion in Berlin: to fully network our fleet of vehi- tered. Volkswagen began setting up Volkswagen CEO cles and develop services for our this location late last year to work on Herbert Diess (right) and Microsoft CEO customers that add value. Our aim is developing the Automotive Cloud. Satya Nadella. to ensure the best possible customer The two companies announced their experience in and beyond their own strategic partnership back in September vehicle.” 2018.

Quality Assurance: New Strategy Modular E-Toolkit To Be Made More than 300 employees worked to develop the strategy with the management team headed by Andreas Klar Available to ew strategies don’t sell them- mission, and strategic goals in work- Klar and his management team spent indicated their approval and then got Third-Party Providers selves – especially when they shops and were excited to see how time going through the hundreds and to work on how to implement the N are developed at the top levels our first draft would be received by hundreds of comments the employ- strategy in practice. of management alone. To get Quality the employees.” Attendees from all ees provided to see how they could fit It’s now just a matter of getting The Volkswagen Group will be making Assurance employees on board with departments in central Quality Assur- with the original draft strategy. The those who weren’t in attendance on its modular electrification toolkit (MEB) the division’s new strategy from the ance and the Emden and Wolfsburg final version of the strategy was cre- board. Klar said, “We’ve scaled the available to other manufacturers. Ensur- start, they needed to take an active plants came together to work, spread ated that night so it could be present- mountain. Now we just have to wait ing the broadest possible distribution of role in shaping it. To accomplish this, out across 20 tables. They engaged in ed to the employees on the morning for the windmills to appear. Let’s the MEB and the associated economies 300 employees from different levels discussion, asked questions and sug- of the second day of the conference. keep at it and work together to shape of scale will greatly reduce the costs attended a two-day strategy confer- gested their own ideas. That evening, By a show of hands, the vast majority the future of quality assurance!” of e-mobility. This will make individual ence in Wolfs- mobility affordable and usable for many burg. Everyone people in the future. Volkswagen has projected that some else was able to 15 million purely electric vehicles will follow the con- be produced using the MEB in the first ference through phase. The world’s first partner company a live blog on outside the Group to use the modular Group Connect. electrification toolkit will be Aachen-based For Andreas company e.GO Mobile AG, which will use Klar, Head of the MEB to bring electric cars beyond Quality Assur- Andreas Klar, the models offered by Volkswagen to Head of Quality ance for the the market. Assurance for the Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess says, Volkswagen brand brand, and his “We’ve proven with our modular management transverse toolkit that we are platform team, the process and methodology Lea Marschall (26), Helmut Averbeck (52), Carlos Eduardo Dominguez (38), experts. More than 100 million of our of the conference was unusual. He Series Quality Assurance Emden Quality Assurance Overall Vehicle Quality Assurance vehicles are based on this platform. With said, “We hammered out the vision, the MEB platform, we will be rocketing “The fact that we, “I went to the “The strategy this successful concept into the electric age and working with third-party pro- as employees, are strategy conference conference was viders. The aim is to establish the MEB as the gold standard for e-mobility. We allowed to help shape with mixed feelings. a huge – and im- want to use it to lay the foundations quality assurance It quickly became portant – first step. for CO2-neutral, safe, and comfortable individual mobility available to as many Qu strategy demonstrates clear that there was I really liked how people as possible.” Even emotional- ality ly-charged limited series vehicles like openness and no reason for that. the openness and the ID. Buggy can be easily and cost-ef- fectively produced using the MEB. Diess transparency. The atmosphere clarity shown by says, “I’m pleased that e.GO will be the I hope to continue was constructive our management first partner to use our modular electri- fication toolkit as the basis for a vehicle to be involved.” and open-minded.” team.” project we will work on together.”

inside 9 Brand Dealer of Tomorrow: A Perfect Mix of the Analog and Digital Worlds Part of the latest sales strategy: customers will soon be able to order their car online

Lead generation

ustomers will soon be able All of this will require a completely be set up only for the duration of a Sales, service and administration to skip the dealership and innovative data management system, specific event being held somewhere. will take on entirely new roles and responsibilities at the dealer of C order their cars straight from and Volkswagen will need to engage The workshops housed at dealerships tomorrow. In addition to dealer- the website. This is all part of much more intensively with its deal- will also be undergoing changes: ships, digital interfaces will soon be Volkswagen’s new sales strategy. ers. “Our absolute top priority is data they will start concentrating on available to customers as well (left And that’s not all. Each customer security. No one will be forced to give “high-voltage repair” for electric cars. side of the image). will receive an individual ID linked to us access to their data. Only people Another innovation is the “Digital their car and their preferred dealer- who want to Genius.” It can advise customers on ship. A one-time registration process opt in will be any questions they have about online (“single sign-on”) will enable vehicle involved,” says services, products, and general ques- owners to use all of Volkswagen’s Christoph Har- tions regarding digitalization. Apps “We” services and manage their per- tung, Head of and online services will also play a sonal details and vehicle information. Digital and New greater role in Volkswagen Business Sales. after-sales. For will use the Regardless example, ser- ID to provide of whether cars vice employees individualized are ordered will be activate customer ser- online or pur- Ulf Eberhardt specific digital vice – with the chased offline, functions in customer’s con- dealerships will retain their important a vehicle on sent, of course. role in future. “Some customers will request. Each Benefits include want to have a look at the car they dealership the company are considering at the nearby deal- will also offer Peter Maiwald being able to Christoph Hartung ership and then order it online later its customers bring cars to that night as they relax on the sofa,” charging sta- the workshop before a minor techni- says Ulf Eberhardt, Head of Sales and tions and free Wi-Fi. Peter Maiwald, cal issue results in a breakdown. In System Strategy, summing up what Head of After Sales and Retail, says, the future, Volkswagen will use its ve- a combined analog/digital purchase “This new sales strategy represents hicles’ mobile internet to provide its experience might look like. In addi- evolution, not revolution. We are customers with software updates as tion to traditional dealerships, smaller combining the advantages brought needed. Customers will also be able showrooms or pop-up stores will be by the digital age with the trusted to purchase online services or book set up in downtown areas. These will service our dealers provide all over a car-sharing vehicle using their ID. be short-term “stores” that might the world.”

10 inside Brand ID. BUZZ¹: Production will return to Hanover in 2022.

The future is real: the Volkswagen ID. will be the Group’s first electric car to be carbon neutral throughout its entire service life, Thanks to Volkswagen: Sabrina Fiorini and if customers choose green energy sources to charge their vehicles. Pablo Di Si, Head of the South America region.

ability Advisory Board, says, “CO₂ er. Newly established Volkswagen emissions caused by humans need subsidiary Elli has recently begun to be reduced as quickly as possible. offering customers in Germany After an Accident, Clean Since its founding, the Volkswagen regeneratively produced Volkswagen Sustainability Advisory Board has Naturstrom® electricity. The IONITY A Woman Extends fought for the company to include cli- rapid charging network, which mate protection as a strategic priority. Volkswagen co-founded with multi- Her Thanks to Volkswagen has set the right course ple vehicle manufacturers will offer Volkswagen Mobility with its electric offensive and the ID. renewably-sourced electricity – wher- The Volkswagen ID. will mark the Group’s first mass produced Now we need to stay the course.” ever possible – to some 400 charging With the ID., Volkswagen is focus- stations along European highways. A grateful customer: A few weeks ago, car manufactured in a way that is ultimately carbon neutral ing the entire value creation chain on Because an electric car is only as Sabrina Fiorini of Argentina got into avoiding and reducing CO₂ emissions. clean as the electricity used to pro- an accident in her Golf near the city of olkswagen has committed more than 20 purely electric models The battery cells are being produced duce and charge it, Volkswagen has Balcarce in Buenos Aires Province. She itself to the goals of the Paris on the market. in Europe and the energy needed to fully embraced the next step toward survived the crash without a scratch. Climate Agreement, setting “Climate change is the biggest manufacture them is provided using a sustainable energy supply planned Shortly afterwards, Pablo Roman Di Si, V Head of Volkswagen South America the course for sustainable mobility challenge of our time,” said Thomas green energy sources. Further po- for Germany in particular. Even as we with its electric offensive. The new Ulbrich, Head of E-Mobility for the tential savings in the delivery chain, move on from the energy revolution, (SAM), received a moving letter through ID., for which production Volkswagen brand. “As the including the production electromobility will only LinkedIn expressing her thanks: “I am overjoyed to be able to write to is set to start late this year world’s largest automotive of raw materials, are cur- take hold with support you today. I’m writing you because I in Zwickau, has taken on a manufacturer, Volkswagen rently being looking into from policymakers. From would like to thank Volkswagen for the pioneering role: it will be is stepping up to the plate in cooperation with direct the laws governing home Golf TSI DSG 1.4 Turbo. I have been the Group’s first electric and taking responsibility. and indirect suppliers. The ownership to expanding loyal to the brand since buying my car to be carbon neutral The new ID. will mark Zwickau plant is already public charging infra- first Volkswagen in 2006, and I bought throughout its entire the Group’s first mass working with outside elec- structure, the hurdles this car just last year. I’d never had an service life if custom- produced car manufac- tricity providers that use electric cars currently face accident before, but that fateful day ers choose green energy tured in a way that is renewable energy sources. will quickly need to be ultimately came on January 27, 2019. sources to charge their ultimately carbon neutral. Unavoidable emissions removed. I was really lucky. I am convinced that vehicles. In the manufac- To ensure it continues on throughout the entire Volkswagen wants to the Golf and its high safety standards turing phase alone, the Thomas Ulbrich, this zero-emissions path manufacturing process Georg Kell, Founding make electric cars attrac- Head of E-Mobility saved my life when I fell asleep while ID.’s¹ CO₂ balance will be throughout its service life, will ultimately be compen- Director of the UN tive and affordable for as driving near the city of Balcarce. for the Volkswagen Global Compact and improved by well over brand we are working to pro- sated for with investments Spokesperson for many people as possible. one million metric tons vide a range of different in certified climate pro- the Volkswagen Sus- The compact ID. will start I was in a serious accident; of CO₂ a year. This is roughly equiv- options to charge vehicles using tection projects, to ensure tainability Advisory rolling off the production I drove into a truck alent to the climate impact made by electricity from green energy sources. the ID.’s market launch is Board. line in Zwickau at the end a coal-fired power plant that pro- Truly sustainable mobility is possible backed by carbon-neutral of 2019. The ID. CROZZ¹ The truck driver I hit said that I was vides electricity to 300,000 homes. if everyone wants it and we all work production. SUV, the ID. BUZZ¹, and the ID. VIZZI- weaving along at around 130 kilometers Volkswagen is also working on an together.” In terms of actually running ID. ON¹ sedan will follow shortly after. By per hour (80 miles per hour). The right extensive decarbonization program, Georg Kell, Founding Director of vehicles, Volkswagen recommends 2023, the Volkswagen brand alone will front end of my car hit the left side of including measures for other models. the UN Global Compact and Spokes- customers use energy from renewable be investing around nine billion euros his truck, bursting his tire. My car spun By 2025, the brand aims to launch person for the Volkswagen Sustain- sources such as wind or hydropow- in e-mobility. around twice and I hit another truck with the left side of my vehicle. This second impact broke my windshield, leaving my car completely totaled on the side of the road. I opened my eyes and thanked God – and Volkswagen for making such safe cars. I’m alive! Aside from the impact from the airbag and my seatbelt, I emerged from the crash without a scratch. I would like to congratulate the Volkswagen brand and thank you for all your work. Volkswagen thinks about more than just comfort and modern de- sign – it also keeps focus on the safety of its drivers and passengers at all times.

That decision saved my life

In São Paulo: Members of the board of the Volkswagen brand and the South America region with a team from the Caraigá Volkswagen dealership after presenting the Digital Dealer Experience. I know that I would not be here today to tell this story if I had been in a different car. The truck driver thought the same Brand Management in South America thing and he has seen more than one accident in his time. I am hoping that Meetings to discuss the Volkswagen brand’s performance and expectations this message reaches the top levels of management at Volkswagen. God he Volkswagen Executive Head of the South America region, that is implementing the innovative view Volkswagen do Brasil’s entire alone is not to thank for my survival; the Board on a visit to Brazil: Ralf and his management team about Digital Dealer concept in Brazil. It product portfolio. This means that decision to choose this brand saved my T Brandstätter, Chief Operating Volkswagen’s performance and will be launched in other countries digitalization is making it possible for life, too. I was able to climb out of the Officer, Arno Antlitz (Finance), Jürgen expectations in South America. They in the South America region starting even the smallest dealerships with vehicle on my own through the window. Stackmann (Sales), Andreas Tostmann also met with employees and jour- in March. What’s it all about? The small vehicle inventories to present Thank you, Volkswagen! There are no (Production), and Frank Welsch nalists. The board members also paid Digital Dealer Experience allows Volkswagen’s entire range of prod- words. I am incredibly thankful to have (Development) spoke with Pablo Di Si, a visit to a dealership in São Paulo customers to use touchscreen TVs to ucts to their customers. survived without any injuries.”

¹ Near-production-ready concept car. inside 11

Sports

One-on-one: Captains Josuha Guilavogui (right, VfL Wolfsburg) and Max Kruse (Werder Bremen). VfL Wolfsburg Wolter and Müller: Rising Star Gets Tips Best Northern Club from Champions League Winner in the Bundesliga Ten game days before the end of the inside interview before the Wolfsburg women’s soccer quarter final against Lyon, France’s top team season, VfL Wolfsburg is the top northern club in the German Bundesliga. After their 1:1 (0:0) game against Werder hampions League winner single second, especially since I’ve al- in around 300 Bundesliga games. Bremen, they ranked seventh on the meets VfL Wolfsburg rising star ready been put on the field a lot more Is it a blessing or a curse to have such a league table, giving them the best still hoping to reach the top than I’d hoped as such a young player. prominent player as a father? chance in two years to qualify for a spot C in international competition. But what of the soccer world: Former finisher A blessing! My father never let his Martina Müller (38) and young mid- Ms. Müller, how did things go when career as a pro soccer player in the comes next will be exceptionally difficult: On Sunday, March 9, VfL will play at fielder Pia-Sophie Wolter (21) met you first arrived in Wolfsburg? Bundesliga define him, and he let reinvigorated, record-holding champion ahead of the quarter final firecracker Great. Don’t forget, that’s one me do my own thing. He and my Bayern Munich at 3:30 pm. between VfL Wolfsburg and Olym- of the team’s stated goals. mother haven’t made it to a game Defender John Anthony Brooks head- pique Lyon to discuss how it feels to New players always have here in Wolfsburg yet, but I’ve ed up VfL against Bremen, drawing level be at the top of the game in Europe. an easy time transitioning reserved tickets for them for with former Wolfsburg player Max Kruse. to the VfL. I don’t think the Lyon game. Despite the tied score, Coach Bruno Ms. Müller, what do you have to say anything about that has Labbadia seemed happy to the 28,200 about May 23, 2013? changed between then and Will you be there in or so spectators who came to watch 2013 was a triple win year. It’s the day now. That may be one of the stadium, Ms. the game at Volkswagen Arena. His only we became either the German cham- the secrets of the team’s Müller? point of criticism? “After a well-deserved pions, German soccer league champi- success. No. I’ve only lead, we failed to make it 2:0. That’s ons, or Champions League champions. been there twice quite annoying, because we would have Who’s the favorite in the since retiring wanted a three turn.” It was the day you won the Champions upcoming duel between from soccer League in London – which you had no these two iconic teams? because I have small part in. Wolter: There isn’t one. so little time. VfL home games That’s right, my penalty shot gave For us, it’s all about mak- In addition us a 1:0 win over Olympique Lyon ing sure we start out well to working at Sat., March 16, – and I wasn’t even supposed to in France with a first-leg victory Volkswagen 3:30 pm take the shot. Nadine Kessler, who before returning home and trying as a special- was our penalty taker at the time, i to make it into the semi-final in ist for the Sun., April 6, told me during our warm-up that this unique kind of floodlight 3:30 pm her foot hurt. She said, “If there’s a Pia-Sophie Wolter (21) atmosphere. I saw that all the penalty shot, you have to take it.” used to play for the German U-19 tickets had been sold back in i Fri., April 20 to So I thought, “Okay, don’t worry. and U-20 national team. Last mid-February – that’s crazy! Mon., April 22 We won’t have to take any penalty summer, the midfielder transferred We’re all so happy about that. Martina Müller (38) shots anyway.” No chance! I was so from Bremen to VfL Wolfsburg, Müller: The most anticipated game has appeared in 101 games for the na- Fri., May 3 to incredibly nervous when I lined up to and has played in eight Bundesliga for me is when VfL play Olympique. tional team and celebrated two world Mon., May 6 take my shot. Hero or zero – in that games so far. Wolter finished Unfortunately, what are probably the championship wins with them, plus moment, it’s anyone’s guess. Luckily high school and went on to study two best teams in Europe are squar- two European championship titles and Sat., May 18, it turned out hero. business administration with a ing off early in the tournament. Lyon an Olympic bronze medal. The forward focus on sports business at the VfL have upgraded their staff, but have the has been with VfL Wolfsburg for two 3:30 pm 2013 was the first year the VfL wom- Campus. disadvantage of only really being chal- Champions League wins, a German en’s team earned a title – and then lenged two or three times a season in championship win and a German soc- Tickets available at they went on to do it three times in the the French league. The result is that cer league cup victory. She retired from www.vfl-wolfsburg.de same year. Was the Champions League Was it difficult to get used to life at the the decisive details can sometimes soccer in 2015 and has since returned title the most significant win? VfL? be lacking in a big game. I’ve got my to working full time for Volkswagen in I consider the German championship Not at all! I received such a warm fingers crossed for VfL. It’s my team. Wolfsburg. and our success in the Champions welcome from the team. I feel com- They’ll always have my heart. And I League to be on a par. And, of course, pletely at home in Wolfsburg, even know that they’re going to make it to it’s nice to have done so well in though this is the first time I’ve ever the semi-final, especially because they Service Factory Mobility and Envi- European competition. But a German lived alone. But that’s going well, too. have a score to settle after losing in ronmental Service, I’ve been continu- championship is just as hard won. I have not regretted my transfer for a the final in 2018. ing my education to earn my certif- It represents stability throughout an icate in business studies. I also play entire season. Ms. Wolter, your for Holzland in the state league. It EHC Wolfsburg father, Thomas, doesn’t leave a lot of time for making Ends the Season Ms. Wolter, your eyes seemed to light played for Werder it to the stadium. But I watch VfL play up when Martina Müller was talking Bremen on television as often as I can – and Ranked 12th in about that triple win. I’ll definitely be watching the second the League Table Oh yeah. That’s something I hope to leg when they play against Lyon in achieve as well. I want to be able to late March. Even winning five of the last six talk about championship wins one games was not enough to save the day. It’s something I dream about, i day: German ice hockey team Grizzlys and our entire team is working Wolfsburg failed to make the playoffs hard toward that goal. That’s an- for the first time in 11 years. The team other reason why I transferred to VfL Wolfsburg – led by coach Hans Kossmann defeated Wolfsburg. Don’t forget, I come Olympique Lyon the Iserlohn Roosters by 5:4 in over- from the humble beginnings – time in the season finale in early March. at least in women’s soccer – of The first leg of the Champions Goals were scored by Kris Facault (2), Spencer Machacek, Daniel Sparre, Werder Bremen. Until this past League women’s soccer quarter and Gerrit Fauser, with nearly 3,700 summer, I was still playing home final will be held on Wednesday, spectators cheering them on. With that, games in front of just 150 spectators March 20 in France. Kickoff is at coach Hans Kossmann’s team ended up and fighting to hold off relegation. 8:45 pm. The second leg will be played a week later at AOK finishing the season ranking 12th on the But everything in Wolfsburg is just a Gimme five! Martina Müller (right) Stadium in Wolfsburg. Kickoff is at league table. few digits bigger. It’s great! wishes Pia-Sophie Wolter good luck in the upcoming Champions 6:15 pm. Sport1 will be airing the Manager Charly Fliegauf is now look- League games against Lyon. games live. ing forward in hopes of putting together a strong team for next season, which starts on September 13. Online season ticket sales open on May 6.

inside 13 Sports

Questions 3for...

Closing shot: Fans, youth players, and volunteers surround the national team.

Soccer fan: Jochen Sengpiehl (50) has served as Head of Marketing for the Volkswagen brand since September 2017.

Sengpiehl: “We Want to Convey Our Values” Behind the Scenes of the New TV Spot

Mr. Sengpiehl, Volkswagen On camera: inside goes backstage with German national soccer team players is currently running its first 1advertising campaign with the national team. Except for the T-Roc, which is shown briefly on occer is for all of us” – this is late last year. In the end, director several occasions, our models the motto followed by the first Markus Walter and his crew had a don’t appear in the TV spot. Why advertising campaign now terabyte (or 1,000 gigabytes) of film not? S being launched by Volkswagen as material to sort through. For one thing, the purpose of the the German Football Association’s More than 250 performers and campaign is to express our funda- new partner. The centerpiece of the extras were involved, filming in mental understanding of soccer. We campaign is a 45-second TV spot that eleven different locations. The scenes want to convey the values we share will air on multiple German televi- in which the national with soccer that are particularly sion channels over the next few team players ap- important to us: responsibility, team weeks. pear were filmed spirit, equality, and trust – values that play a major role both in soccer At the heart of the cam- in a hall on the and at Volkswagen. There are a lot of paign, which was created Porsche prem- overlaps there. We want to use this by DBB, an agency based in ises in Leipzig. A lot to laugh initial campaign to bring home to Berlin, are seven national team Experts added the about: The national team fans that Volkswagen is the German players. Goalie Manuel Neuer, Berlin Olympia­ players had a midfielder Leroy Sané, stadion backdrop Football Association’s new partner, great time at the which means it is also a partner to and the rest of the in afterwards using photoshoot. all of soccer in Germany. group take the field computer technology. at Olympiastadion In addition to the The campaign’s motto is in Berlin alongside TV spot, the 360-degree “Soccer is for numerous fans, campaign will feature 2all of us.” What is this meant young players and vol- ads that will be displayed to portray? unteers. There, the pose on billboards in first- and From the start, we’ve stressed again for a large group photo. second-league cities in and again the fact that it’s not just The TV spot was Germany. The campaign will the national team that we want to filmed over three days also run online, in support. Although the national team particular on soc- players do serve as the figureheads cer websites and of German soccer, they ultimately Volkswagen’s own only represent the tip of the iceberg. media channels. We want to support soccer at every level: men and women, profession- als and amateurs, kids and adults. Not to mention the thousands of volunteers who work so hard for our Filming on set in a hall at Porsche in Leipzig: The Berlin Olympiastadion backdrop teams, and without whom none of was added in afterwards on the computer. this would be possible. From youth soccer coaches, to groundskeepers, to parents who organize the carpool Shooting the commercial: Even national schedule. If they weren’t there work- team coach Joachim Löw (right) was there. ing so hard to lay the foundations, there’s no chance our national team would be what it is today.

In addition to the German Football Association, 3 Volkswagen also sponsors a lot of other national teams worldwide. It’s also partnered with the Union of European Football i Associations (UEFA). Why is soccer so important to Volkswagen? An Exclusive Look Soccer remains the world’s big- at the New Spot gest platform for communication. 280 million people watched the last The TV spot will begin airing on European Cup final on television in Friday, March 8, on German TV. 2016 alone. We want to take ad- Starting on February 6, Volkswagen vantage of this platform to present employees will have the opportunity ourselves as a modern, innovative to have an exclusive look before company – and to show the world the ad airs through the our latest models, from the Golf 8 to Volkswagen Portal. the ID. When soccer fans think about mobility, we want them to automati- cally think of us. Team jackets with the Volkswagen logo: Players on the national team wore them for the first time when shooting in Leipzig.

14 inside Sports COMPETITION: 50 pairs of tickets for the international match

A peek inside the exhibition: Volkswagen playfully showcases its soccer connections. At the Plants: GIVEAWAY Soccer-Themed Exhibition Soccer is for all of us: that is the campaign slogan featuring on billboards across Germany. What do the German national soc- inside is giving Volkswagen cer team, VfL Wolfsburg, and Kickers employees the chance Emden have in common? All three are Win Tickets to sponsored by Volkswagen. A traveling to win one of 50 pairs of tickets for the Germany vs exhibition designed by the Volkswagen Serbia game. If you would Sports Communications team allows the International Game at the like to take part, email employees to experience the full extent your name, team number, of our soccer sponsorship. The exhi- and telephone number to bition will be opening on March 11 in Volkswagen Arena with inside [email protected] the BT10 foyer at the Wolfsburg plant. The competition closes at After making pit-stops in the company We’re giving away 50 pairs of tickets to the international friendly 12 noon on Monday, restaurant “Oase” (March 18–22) and in between Germany and Serbia March 18. Terms and Hall 90b of the Technical Development conditions can be found on department (March 25–29), it will then the Volkswagen Portal. make its way on a tour of all German ust two weeks to go until the “I promise that we will be doing ifying group also includes Belarus, Volkswagen plants. Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg everything in our power to put on Estonia, and Northern Ireland. In addition to a variety of interesting For those who don’t fancy their hosts its second international a good show for the spectators,” “For us, this year is also about get- facts, the exhibition will offer a whole J chances in the giveaway, tickets will soccer match. The German national notes the 59-year-old. For his team, ting a team together for Euro 2020,” host of fun activities, including a pretend also be available on eleven will be taking on Serbia on the match in Wolfsburg is an all-im- explains Löw, who will also be taking penalty shoot-out where employees can pre-sale – including in the online Wednesday, March 20 at 8:45 pm. portant warm up ahead of the clash advantage of the trip to Wolfsburg to put their best foot forward, and a quiz shop for the Head Coach Joachim Löw is count- against the Netherlands in Amsterdam enjoy a tour of the Volkswagen plant to test their football knowledge. There German Football Association at ing on the support of the Wolfsburg just four days later. This match is with his players. will even be a screen showing the new www.dfb.de/tickets public for the team’s all about clocking up points to qualify ad that Volkswagen filmed with the first international match of the year. for the World Cup. Germany’s qual- German national team.

inside 15 Cars & Innovations GENEVA Geneva International Motor Show 2019 Volkswagen showcases product innovations

he 89th International Motor Show Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars 3,000 square meters, include the Passat will be taking place in Geneva Porsche will be in attendance to show- brand for over a year, with many other facelift, the T-Roc R, the Touareg V8 TDI, Tfrom March 7–17. Brands such case their latest products. A project team specialists also getting involved. The and the ID. Buggy concept. inside gives as Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, of 20 people worked on the exhibition highlights of the stand, which spans over us a closer look at these vehicles.

What’s New About the Passat¹? Zero emissions in the city along with more infotainment and assistance systems

he latest Passat facelift is one of features a number of on-board inno- promise even greater safety, while the the many showcases appearing vations. These include the new info- plug-in hybrid Passat GTE² can rely Tat the Geneva International tainment system, which ensures the on its electric operation to stay on the Motor Show. The update to the vehicle is always online as required. road even longer going forward. mid-range model from Volkswagen The additional assistance systems

Permanently connected with the third generation of the Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3):

As well as enhanced navigation services with real-time information, this enables brand new technologies and services, such as music streaming capabilities, internet radio, natural (online-based) voice control, and the seamless integration of the “Volkswagen We” online Capacitive steering wheel: services. It responds to the touch of the driver and checks their fitness to drive. In the event of an emergency, assistance systems like “Emergency Assist” will take over and bring the vehicle safely to a stop.

“Travel Assist”:

The IQ.DRIVE system combines all of the assistance systems: the traffic jam assis- tant including roadworks assistant, the predictive distance-regulating assistant ACC, and the lane assistant. This allows the Passat to reach speeds of up to 210 km/h almost entirely automatically.

“IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix head- lights”:

The innovative light technology offers better vision and therefore Larger battery in plug-in hybrid added safety. It was previously Passat GTE: only available for the current Touareg model. Its energy capacity has increased by more than 30 percent. The fully electric range has also increased accordingly to 55 kilometers in the new WLTP cycle. This corresponds to around 70 kilometers according 16 inside ¹ Concept car. to the NEDC. Cars & Innovations

GENEVA1 T-Roc R : A True Sports Car Sporty SUV celebrates its premiere: Performance for road and racetrack

olkswagen presents (product spokesperson for the T-Roc R): ence. The Launch Control guarantees a true sports car at the Geneva “The new T-Roc R was developed and traction-optimized acceleration for VInternational Motor Show: tested by Volkswagen R. Volkswagen maximum performance on the road. Boasting 221 kW / 300 bhp, the T-Roc plant driver Benjamin Leuchter The Volkswagen T-Roc R’s exterior R concept is almost ready for produc- supported us with his racing driver serves to emphasize its sporty char- tion and is the most powerful deriva- expertise with the result being a vehi- acteristics. According to Förster, “we tive of the crossover series launched cle that boasts real performance.” The have specially designed an R-specific in 2017. It accelerates from a standstill four-cylinder TSI engine with a cubic front bumper for the SUV in the same to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. The R capacity of 2.0 liters provides 221 kW color as the vehicle. Large air intakes model also stands and a torque of 400 Nm. allow the engine to really breathe.” out visually. The newly designed grille It also features sports suspension The rear also features bumpers in the features the obligatory “R” motif. to ensure optimum grip on the road. same color as the car itself, including Chrome-effect mirror caps, black The standard progressive steering aesthetic air outlets and a contrasting grained and slightly flared wheel provides a decisive contribution diffuser. The left and right dou- arches, and the black brake calipers, to the vehicle’s agile handling. The ble-flow exhaust systems are reserved emphasize the car’s sporty ambitions available driving profiles also include for the R model. The vehicle is fitted from the get go. a special Race mode to facilitate an with 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. According to Nicolas Förster exceptionally sporty driving experi- Customers can also request body Sporty design: Bumper and double-flow exhaust system.

Offering the necessary support: Sports seats with R logo.

paint in Lapiz Blue Metallic, which is combines with the backrest to form a exclusive to R models. There is even continuous surface. In combination the option to combine a contrasting with the side walls on display, the black roof with all available color seats give the driver the support they variants. need to pull off sporty maneuvers in According to Förster, “the sporty the T-Roc R.” design also continues inside. The Additional individuality is pro- stainless-steel sills bear the R logo vided by optional extras such as and the motif can also be found leather upholstery, the exclusive R embroidered on the backrest of the interior paint finish, and 19-inch sports seats. These seats feature a light-alloy wheels with 235/40 R19 Product spokesperson Nicolas Förster: “Our vehicle boasts real performance.” semi-integrated headrest, which tires. World Premiere: New Touareg V8 TDI² The most powerful diesel SUV made by a German manufacturer.

he new flagship of the The interior of the Touareg V8 TDI alloy wheels instead of 18-inch a thermal imaging camera to detect assistant” that enables semi-automat- Volkswagen brand celebrates is characterized by screens with wheels. people and animals in the dark. There ed steering and lane-keeping, acceler- Tits world premiere in Geneva digital display and control elements, The product range also includes is even a “traffic jam and roadworks ating, and braking up to 60 km/h. in the form of the Touareg V8 TDI. tanned leather, as well as aluminum state-of-the-art assistance and With a capacity of 310 kW/421 bhp, and chrome details. Most notable chassis systems. Addition- this is the most powerful diesel SUV of all is the use of wood. Taking the al security is afforded made by a German manufacturer. The “Atmosphere” design package as by the night maximum torque reaches the level of an example, the entire width of the vision support, sports cars: 900 newton meters. The dashboard is spanned by a narrow which uses SUV reaches a top speed of 250 km/h curved beam of wood – a single and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in piece of ash that follows the shape 4.9 seconds. Like all Touareg models, of the dashboard. the V8 version complies with the Unlike the models with Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard. V6 engines, the Touareg V8 The Touareg V8 TDI will be launched TDI also comes with air at the end of May. suspension, an elec- In addition to sportiness and trically opening and dynamics, the V8 TDI also offers pre- closing trunk lid, mium aesthetics. Buyers can choose comfortable seating, between the standard design packag- an anti-theft warn- es of “Elegance” and “Atmosphere.” ing system, stain- “Elegance” features a technical inte- less-steel pedals, rior dominated by metal finishes and and the “Light & cool colors. “Atmosphere” offers a Visibility” package warm interior characterized by wood as standard. In ad- features and natural tones. The seats dition, the V8 will and door panels in both versions are be released with finished in leather as standard. 19-inch “Tirano”

¹ Concept car. inside 17 ² Near-production-ready concept car. Cars & Innovations GENEVA 110 Years of Bugatti Anniversary vehicle presented in Geneva

Sandblasted and hand polished: The fuel his year sees Bugatti celebrate bhp and is capable of top speeds of cap of the Chiron Sport “110 Ans Bugatti.” the 110th anniversary of the 420 km/h. The anniversary vehicle TVolkswagen Group’s sports car features two colors: “Steel Blue” matt brand by releasing a special model. to the rear of the vehicle and “Steel and in the interior. The Geneva International Motor Blue Carbon” to the front. The sand- Since 1909, Bugatti has devel- Show is where the Alsatians will be blasted and hand-polished aluminum oped into one of the most fascinat- presenting the Chiron Sport¹ “110 Ans fuel filler cap is adorned with the “110 ing names in automotive history. Bugatti,” which is limited to a run of Ans Bugatti” logo engraved into the The Bugatti legend was brought just 20 vehicles. The vehicle under- bodywork. Another visual highlight to life by the company’s founder lines the French origin of the luxury is the French national flag, which Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean, brand. The Chiron Sport boasts 1,500 features at several points on the body whose designs and constructions Tricolore: Bugatti emphasizes its French origin. sought the perfect synthesis of art and technology. The brand has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1998.

110 years of Bugatti: Chiron Sport “110 Ans Bugatti” anniversary vehicle.

Fully Electric: The ID. Buggy Concept based on the modular electric drive toolkit

real crowd pleaser: Volkswa- gen presents the electric ID. ABuggy at the International Motor Show in Geneva. The concept is inspired by the popular US beach buggies and based on the Beetle chassis. The new edition is based on the modular electric drive toolkit (MEB). “A buggy is more than just a car. Klaus Bischoff, It’s an automotive lifestyle. And this Head Designer for the Volkswagen brand. is reflected in the new ID. Buggy, which embodies a modern, non-ret- ro interpretation of a classic. But above all, it shows the emotional side of electromobility,” says Klaus Bischoff, Head Designer for the Volkswagen brand. Fully electric and Like its predecessors that were based on the MEB: popular until the 1980s, the electric The ID. Buggy con- buggy does without a fixed roof and cept. conventional doors. In addition, the free-standing wheels with off-road tires and open side skirts are also reminiscent of the classic design. The new MEB-based concept shows that the all-electric platform isn’t just for mass production mod- els. Customized small series are also possible.

18 inside ¹ Fuel consumption, l/100km: urban 35.2 / extra-urban 15.2 / combined 22.5; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 516; efficiency class: G. Cars & Innovations

“One of Us”: Benjamin Leuchter Enters World Touring Car Championship German racing driver in the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR¹

n 2019, Volkswagen and Sébastien Loeb Racing will enter the FIA Test Program for I World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) ID. R is Success­ with four drivers. The only German in the Golf GTI TCR will be Benjamin fully Launched Leuchter. The 31-year-old had his first contact with Volkswagen when he was still a child. Since 2009, he has On the Circuito de Almería in Andalusia, also been closely connected to the the preparatory stage for the world Group in his professional life. record attempt on the Nürburgring- Benjamin Leuchter has “gasoline Nordschleife in the fully electric ID. in his veins.” Cars, and especially the R has begun. Driver Romain Dumas Volkswagen brand, have been a part of completed the first test drives in Spain. his life from a young age. Leuchter: In the summer, he wants to beat the “I remember that my mother drove current best time for electric vehicles a Golf II GTI. Her brother was at the (6:45.900 minutes) on the 20.832-kilo- meter racetrack in the Eifel. first ever GTI meeting in Wörthersee. “After the functional tests in Oschers­ It was actually impossible to avoid leben, the first test drives in Spain also Volkswagen. So it’s no wonder went to plan,” says Volkswagen Motor- that my first car ended up being a sport Director Sven Smeets. “It is very Golf VI GTI.” exciting to experience the ID. R on a The Duisburger celebrated his first real racetrack after its record-breaking motorsport successes in karting as performance at Pikes Peak. Optimizing a teenager. Subsequently he started an electric sportscar for the Nürburgring driving formula racecars and various i is a great new challenge for our entire long-distance championships. In team. We are all looking forward to test- 2009, “Benny” Leuchter first crossed On the road together in the ing the power of electromobility on the World Touring Car Champion- Facts and Figures paths with Volkswagen in a profes- ships: Benjamin Leuchter with Benjamin Leuchter legendary Nordschleife.” The ID. R is the sional capacity. Since then, he has his Golf GTI TCR. sporty forerunner of the new ID. product been working as an instructor at family, with which Volkswagen will offer Driving Experience. Leuchter: “We Date of birth 11/22/1987 a wide range of fully electric vehicles host driving training sessions, driving Place of birth Duisburg (D) from 2020 onwards. events, and passenger rides in race- Lamborghini, and Škoda. the lap record for front-wheel-drive, Height/Weight 165 cm/60 kg The focus of the four-day test drives cars. I also provide product training Leuchter: “I identified with series-production vehicles on the (5 ft. 5 in./132 lb.) in Spain was the adaptation of the soft- to sales reps.” His Volkswagen from Nürburgring-Nordschleife in a Golf Motorsport Since 2001 ware that controls the balance between experiences with day one. When GTI Clubsport S. Hobbies Karting, poker, CrossFit the mechanical brake and recuperation the various vehi- i I was able to 2019 may well be the highpoint of on-board the ID. R. “On a secure race- cles have often drive a GTI in the racing driver’s career, who has track like the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, you can get much closer to the limit influenced the de- 2019 Racing Schedule motor-racing for held the title of Volkswagen brand of the winter testing during further than during the hill climb at Pikes Peak,” velopment of pas- the first time in ambassador and motorsports repre- development, as well as numerous says Romain Dumas, describing the senger cars by the April 7: Marrakesh (Morocco) 2016, everything sentative since last year. Leuchter: races. The aim for Leuchter’s first differences. “I can brake harder and ac- Volkswagen brand. April 28: Budapest (Hungary) just fit together.” “Sticking with Volkswagen despite season in the WTCR: “I’ve only driven May 12: Orechova Potôň (Slovakia) celerate more aggressively. Adapting the In future, he will In his first year receiving other offers has paid off. two of the tracks in the racing sched- software will fine-tune the performance also be involved May 19: Zandvoort (Netherlands) at TCR Germany, Now my dream is coming true: I’m ule only once and I’m a newcomer to June 22: Nürburgring (Germany) of the electric motors for our new record in development he immediately going to compete in a world champi- this series, but I will do everything I July 7: Vila Real (Portugal) attempt.” at Volkswagen R took fifth place, onship in the highest class of touring can to succeed, and I think I can pull Sept. 15: Ningbo (China) GmbH. “Benny” making him the car racing.” a few highlights out of my sleeve.” Oct. 27: Suzuka (Japan) can also frequent- best Volkswagen He knows his vehicle, the Golf GTI Laughing, he adds: “So far I’ve been Nov. 17: Macao (China) pilot. In the same ly be found at TBA: Sepang (Malaysia) TCR, inside out. He was involved in the best Volkswagen pilot in every driving events for year, Benjamin the development program as early as season – so it would be a shame to Bentley, Bugatti, Leuchter also set 2015, and since then, has been part break the tradition.” T-Cross Production Launch Worldwide: Four Plants, One Model Series Director Andreas Krüger on the new SUV, teamwork, and positive responses

he Volkswagen brand’s SUV hicle is its functionality. The variety seat can be moved by five and a half organization. Our recipe for success Germany and Europe, the T-Cross family gets another new ad- of assistance systems is unique in inches. This lets customers increase is teamwork. The headquarters in should be available in dealerships T dition – the T-Cross. The new its vehicle class. Here, we’re taking either the space for passengers in Wolfsburg, the sites in Spain and from late-April. Beforehand, jour- model, based on the Polo, combines full advantage of the Modular Trans- the rear seat or luggage space. As a Brazil, and the two Chinese plants, nalists and bloggers from around the the benefits of modular strategy and verse Toolkit (MQB). For example, result, the T-Cross has the biggest Anting, and Changchun have worked world will have the chance to put the series organization, and will go on it features a surroundings moni- trunk in its class. together extremely effectively. For new model to the test in Mallorca this sale in Germany and Europe in April. toring system, lane assistant, and that I would like to say a big “well March. We can’t wait to see how the inside spoke to the director of the G1 lane changing assistant as standard Why is the T-Cross being produced in done and thank you” to our teams media will react. Test drives of the series, Andreas Krüger. – and all that at a very reasonable four different locations worldwide? worldwide. camouflaged T-Cross by journalists price-performance ratio. We placed There are two reasons for that: have already elicited a very positive In your opinion, what’s special about a lot of importance on the flexibility Firstly, demand was high from the The T-Cross has been available for response. the new T-Cross? of the interior during development. very start. That’s why we’re plan- pre-order since December. How has the One of the best features of this ve- To give just one example: The rear ning to produce the T-Cross in large new SUV been received by customers numbers. In order to serve all our so far? i customers in good time, we need The number of pre-orders has our ex- the capacity of four plants. Second- ceeded expectations. Many customers ly, this decentralized production is have ordered the T-Cross without Andreas Krüger (51) the result of our series structure, in even having seen it. This demon- which we are handing more respon- strates enormous trust in our brands has worked for Volkswagen since 1991. After completing his stud- sibility to the regional divisions. and products. We are expressing our ies in electronics and industrial Our local specialists know best what thanks with a “First Edition.” Custom- engineering, he started out as an customers in different markets want. ers who have pre-ordered will receive assembly planner in the Wolfsburg For example, in China and South their vehicles before the official production facility. He was subse- America, the T-Cross is three and a market launch. quently stationed at plants in Germany half inches longer than in Europe. and abroad. Krüger switched from When will the T-Cross be available in Production to Development as In three of four locations where the dealerships and what’s on the schedule Head of Prototyping. He’s been in T-Cross will be produced, production before then? charge of the Small series since was started almost simultaneously. As for the start of production, we are September 2017. Krüger is married How did you achieve such a challenging on track for a coordinated market and has two children. In his free task? launch in all the regions. The official time, he goes jogging and watches Series Director Andreas Krüger praises the functionality and flexibility of the T-Cross. This, too, is thanks to our series launch is at the end of March. In VfL Wolfsburg soccer games.

¹ Golf GTI TCR racing version. inside 19 Wolfsburg

Employee with a Sense for Compressed Air How the “Sonaphone” helps find undiscovered leaks in the Wolfsburg press shop

eaks in compressed air lines are a problem. Maintenance worker Olaf Thor is a tinkerer, and loves Tinkerer: Olaf Thor L at his workstation solving problems. Now, as a team in the Press Shop member of the Press Shop’s tech- technology center. Volunteering for Aids-Hilfe: Volkswagen nology center in Wolfsburg, he has apprentice Selda Eraslan (right) with ensured that leaks can be detected Angela Biese. using a digital ultrasound device.

The problem “Think Social”: Compressed air is an expensive Apprentices resource and plays an important role in the plant: A large drop Volunteer for in pressure is not only wasteful, Charity but can even put the production process at risk. All the more annoying if a significant portion Eleven business apprentices at the escapes unnoticed via hairline Wolfsburg site have supported chari- cracks in weld seams, valves, or ties once a week. As part of the “Think pipes connections. Social” project, they gained experience These weak points usually in facilities for children or the elderly, can’t be spotted with the naked as well as animal and environmental eye. Sometimes they can be felt or charities. heard, provided that the envi- Heike Ripke, Head of Andreas “Voluntary work is very important to ronment isn’t too noisy to hear personal development. We hope that it Maintenance Hoppenbrink, the hiss of escaping air. But that Works Councilor will inspire these young people to con- is almost never the case in the tinue to get involved and engage in vol- press shop. The result: A loss that unteering activities,” says Ralf Thomas, amounted to around 1,200 liters of Measurement: Leaking air can be detected with a digital ultrasound device. Head of Volkswagen Pro Ehrenamt. The compressed air per minute in the apprentices agree too. Their unanimous opinion, after receiving certificates in second half of 2018 alone. And that’s to measure noise from a flowing cur- then localizes the source of the noise where human hearing wouldn’t stand recognition of their efforts: They would just in one part of the Wolfsburg rent,” explains Olaf Thor. “Just like and measures the amount of leaking a chance. This is how innovative do it again. press shop, Press Shop 1. escaping air, these sounds are hardly air in seconds. technologies help set up our press “My first choice was to volunteer for perceptible to the human ear.” This The device then generates a report. shop for the long-term future.” Works Aids-Hilfe. I learned a lot in my time The solution is because the escaping air makes a An integrated camera makes it possi- Councilor Andreas Hoppenbrink says: there and even started my own preven- sound that is in the ultrasonic range. ble to clearly label the leak – a great “This great idea is another fantastic tion project. I will definitely continue The team at the technology center However, the Sonaphone is able to help to the repair team responsible example of how the employees them- to volunteer and stay in touch with the did some real detective work, before detect these sound waves. for repairing the damage. selves are the best experts. There is so team there,” says Selda Eraslan (22). hitting upon a digital ultrasound The device, which resembles a Heike Ripke, Head of Mainte- much knowledge and creativity in the If you have any questions about Think device. The team quickly realized: large smartphone, is connected via nance, Mechanics and Hydraulics in workforce of the press shop and other Social, please write to VWAG R: WOB, This could be used to detect leaking cable to a sound sensor, hardly bigger the Press Shop, says: “The Sonaphone departments that we can achieve a lot Think Social. air. “The Sonaphone can also be used than an ordinary ballpen. A probe detects even the smallest leaks, more improvements.” Focus on Healthy Eating Chief Human Resources Officer Kilian learns about the selection at the salad bar and deli counter

he currywurst is one of the Bogun, both managing directors of says Kilian. “It’s great that they’re most popular dishes in the Service Factory; Martin Cordes, expanding it, because demand for T Volkswagen cafeterias. But Head of Gastronomy, Hotels, and fresh food, fruit, and salad is grow- demand is growing for salads, fruits, Catering; and Ralf Kroschel, Head ing.” juices, and freshly prepared wraps. of Corporate Catering at Wolfsburg, Ralf Kroschel says: “Many of During a visit to the cafeteria in the explain the options at the salad bar our restaurant visitors don’t know Symbolic key handover: This natural gas bus from Scania will transport guests from the Autostadt to guided tours of the plant. brand tower of the Wolfsburg plant, and deli counter, which serves small that we offer so many fresh prod- Chief Human Resources Officer meals to-go. ucts. Classics like currywurst and Gunnar Kilian shifted the focus onto “The employees who work in meatloaf are as popular as ever. But Natural Gas Bus the available selection of healthy our cafeteria do a great job. They almost a third of employees are now Transports Visitors to Plant meals. Wolfgang Pick and Karsten put together a very diverse menu,” choosing vegetarian dishes.” Autostadt starts operating bus from Scania

gas-powered bus from the impact on the road, and to draw brand Scania now offers an attention to its innovative technol- A additional transport option ogy and reduced CO2 emissions.” at the Autostadt: The bus will trans- Luc Moulin, Director of Bus Sales port guests to the starting point for at Scania in Germany and Austria, the guided tours of Wolfsburg, and remarked: “Scania buses stand for make service trips for the Autostadt environmentally friendly passenger and for Volkswagen. After present- transport. This includes drive solu- ing the first Scania Interlink bus in tions like natural gas and biogas.” Germany with a Euro 6 natural gas Compared to a similar bus with a engine, Roland Clement, CEO of the diesel engine or a fossil natural gas Autostadt, said: “Our goal with the engine, the new bus delivers CO2 brand’s first CNG bus was to make savings of up to 15 percent, explains a statement for modern, sustain- Moulin. The bus, powered by a nat- able mobility in the Autostadt. We ural gas engine, has been specially purposefully selected the strong produced with 14.30 meters (469 branding for the bus so that the new feet) in length and 65 seats. It has a In the cafeteria of the brand tower: Chief Human Resources Officer Gunnar Kilian (fifth from left) and Ralf Kroschel, Head of Corporate Scania CNG would make a striking range of approx. 400 kilometers. Catering at Wolfsburg, with the Service Factory team.

20 inside Wolfsburg

NEW SERIES

DO I KNOW YOU? We bump into each other in the parking lot, on the way to the plant in Wolfsburg, or in the cafeteria, but we often don’t know very much about each other. But that’s all set to change, as inside will now be introducing Wolfsburg employees in this new feature.

Gunnar Kilian (fourth from left) and Bernd Osterloh (fifth from left): The Chief Human Resources Officer and Works Council Chairman opened the new fire station. Fire Station Is Officially Opened Gunnar Kilian and Bernd Osterloh inaugurated the new home of the plant fire department

he new plant fire department including employees in the design in Wolfsburg on Strasse 37 has process. For example, ceiling cranes Carola Simic (55) from Köthen, been officially opened. Chief and extensive automations in the T at Volkswagen for 22 years. Human Resources Officer Gunnar respiratory protection workshop will Kilian and Works Council Chairman facilitate lifting of heavy objects. Bernd Osterloh, who arrived at the event in the “Volkswagen Move by Service Factory Shuttle,” inaugurated the new station. The move from the old fire station near the East Gate i MY PREVIOUS JOBS took place shortly before Christmas. I studied hotel management in Kilian: “I’m impressed by the new Plant Fire Department Köthen in the 1980s. Then I went to fire station. The short construction work at the “Hühner-Rudi” snack time and the moderate cost develop- in Numbers bar that used to exist in Wolfsburg. ment were in part made possible by Fire department employees 100 My path to Volkswagen started at the close cooperation between the The plant fire department helped design the new fire station: (back row from left) Markus the Blaue Saal (“Blue Room”). That’s planners and the future users of the Isensee, Jens Lankau, (front row from left) Viktor Sibilski, Werner Weiss, Jan Ahrens. Vehicles 30 where the casino is now. After that, building. Our colleagues developed Fire station area 7,500 m² I starting working at the Panorama the specifications themselves, in fire fighters and paramedics at our can be anywhere in the plant in the cafeteria. My dream came true when Energy saved I finally got a job at “Bella Vista.” order to incorporate their individuals service in an emergency. Because of event of an emergency. This meets by new building 80 % needs and work requirements in the you, everyone at the site is kept safe, the legal requirements and ensures design.” and feels safe. We would like to thank everyone’s safety.” Dispatches per day 15 Osterloh took the opportunity you for that today.” In addition to space for vehicles Fire extinguishers 16,000 to praise the fire department for its Niko Meinke-Marquardt (Head and materials, the fire station has five in the plant work: “A site with 70,000 employees of the Plant Fire Department at workshops, 25 break rooms, kitchens, Response time is full of hazards and risks. That’s why Wolfsburg): “Our new location in the and a sports hall, as well as training from alarm 45–60 sec. MY CURRENT JOB it’s reassuring to know that there’s a middle of the plant provides ideal and office rooms. The workplace has troupe of well-qualified and equipped conditions. Within five minutes, we also been made more ergonomic by I work the checkout at the Bella Vista cafeteria at the office block by the park (BT10) and help prepare the breakfast buffet. My motto is: “The customer is king.”

MY CAR I drive a silver Polo. It may be 15 years old already, but I feel right at home in it. My “little one” loves our annual tour through the Spreewald. It almost knows the way off by heart.

After signing the contract (from left): Tim Schumacher (VfL Wolfsburg), Julius von Ingelheim (Regional Strategy and Site Development Manager at Volkswagen), Hans-Dieter Brand (Neuland), Dennis Weilmann (Wolfsburg City).

From Market Hall to Digital Hub MY HOBBIES Conversion project: Behind In my free time, I volunteer at the the historically listed facade, there will Wolfsburg: Some Volkswagen employees will also move into the building in the city center Wolfsburg Hospice. I am current- be modern studios, labs, and offices. ly doing a one-year course to be- t has long been the subject of dis- will become the living room for that measure shooting force. come a palliative care assistant. I cussion. Now it’s been decided: digitalization in Wolfsburg,” says There are also plans to build a pub- i want to accompany people on their IThe market hall in the Wolfsburg Volkswagen Project Manager Thomas lic workshop called Maker Space, final journey and relieve their fears city center will be converted into Abrell. In 2016, the city announced where the public will be able to test about death. My faith gives me the a digital hub. After receiving the that it had plans to become a model 3D printers and practice robotics. The Market Hall strength to do it. green light from the city council, digital city. Together with Volkswagen, “Digitalization is an important The market hall building was the rental agreement has been it started the #WolfsburgDigital future topic for Volkswagen,” says opened in 1960 as part of the Hertie signed. The cooperative partners are initiative. “The market hall will not Julius von Ingelheim, Regional department store. The extension Volkswagen, the City of Wolfsburg, only be a visible symbol in the city Strategy and Site Development served as the food department. and the VfL Wolfsburg soccer club. center,” says Abrell. Manager. “It’s not only about cre- After Hertie closed in 2003, the The new building will be opened After opening, there will be a ating digital infrastructure or new department store was demolished, MY DREAM at the end of this year. Volkswagen space for events. There will also be forms of mobility. The market hall while the striking extension was left When I retire, I would like to start employees will be among those studios for the production of films will be a centrally located meeting intact and converted into a market a multigenerational houseshare. hall. However, it was unsuccessful. moving into the building. and augmented reality. The VfL point for everyone interested in It will be a house where young Today, the facade is historically The plans for the building near Wolfsburg wants to build a digital digital innovation. It will make an people and old people live together. listed, except for the north side. the Wolfsburg central railway station soccer field on an adjacent green important contribution to our status I’m already looking forward to sound ambitious. “The market hall space, with features such as sensors as a smart city.” this project.

inside 21 Wolfsburg Objective: A Paragon of Productivity Site symposium in Wolfsburg: The plant aims to save around €186 million by 2020

25-per-cent boost to pro- ductivity by 2020: At the site A symposium in Wolfsburg, plant management and employees presented comprehensive measures to the board and works council. These efficiency measures are part of the agreements under the Zukunftspakt Autostadt: (“Pact for the Future”), which aims 40 Million Visitors to improve productivity by 25 per cent between 2016 and 2020. That since opening will mean savings of €186 million for the Wolfsburg location, making the 40 million visitors since opening in parent plant the most efficient site in 2000 – Autostadt in Wolfsburg reached the Volkswagen brand’s production this impressive milestone in mid-Feb- network. These five measures will ruary. “Autostadt is unique and it clearly help to achieve that: captures people’s imagination. Visitors from the area, many of them Volkswagen Transport robots employees, love it, as do guests from across Germany and from countries In body construction, driverless around the world,” says Gunnar Kilian, transport systems ensure faster Chairman of the Autostadt Supervi- provision of materials. The 23 fully sory Board and automated transport robots boost Volkswagen Board productivity in body construction Member for Human logistics by 7 per cent. Resources. Looking back: Automated screwing systems Autostadt has far surpassed its A new robot station can autonomous- original aim of at- ly screw up to 30 screws for engine tracting one million mounts, shock absorbers, towing visitors a year. After hitches, seatbelts and mass nuts in More efficiency at the Wolfsburg site: The group and brand boards and members of the group works council learned about innovative Gunnar Kilian, welcoming a mil- one work step. This improves quality solutions such as the driverless transport system, which ensures faster material supply. Chairman of the lion visitors from and makes work easier for employees. Supervisory Board at Autostadt June to December These screws had previously been in its opening processed manually. year (2000), more than 2 million guests have visited the attraction each year on 141 best practices average since. “We make it possible for our visitors to experience the history, Measures such as the robot station the present, and the future of mobility. are included in a group-wide catalog Visitors can also discover first-hand of methods that presents best practic- the topics that are significant to the es. Tried-and-tested efficiency mea- Volkswagen Group and its brands – and sures are thereby implemented across can do so in an inspiring yet relaxing the global production network. In venue,” explains Roland Clement, CEO of 2018, 141 best practice solutions from Autostadt. the Wolfsburg plant were included The core business of Autostadt is in the Volkswagen brand’s method vehicle handovers: Around 150,000 catalogue. customers collect- Plant Manager Stefan Loth Chairman of the Works Council Bernd Osterloh ed their new cars Ergonomics and efficiency from the customer center last year. Assembly seats, lifting aids, and “Over the last few “The workforce at However, Autostadt special tools are making work in months we have an- the Volkswagen has also become vehicle assembly more ergonomic. one of Germany’s Employees have all the required tools alyzed around 700 plant in Wolfsburg most popular travel and materials close at hand on a destinations even synchronously running cart. Experts work steps in more demonstrates great for guests who are Roland Clement, call this concept the “surgeon-and- than 400 workshops flexibility, always not taking a new car Autostadt CEO nurse principle.” It shortens walking home with them. movements by up to 30 steps. in order to leverage adjusting to the Visitors treasure the the remaining effi- evolving challenges theme and experience park as a cultural Faster production Synchronously running cart: The necessary venue and an accredited non-formal ciency reserves.” tools and materials are always within reach of production.” place of learning. The start of Golf 8 production was for employees. The seasonal productions in sum- also discussed at the symposium. mer and winter are particularly popular Preparations are in full swing and with visitors. 455,000 visitors attended are on schedule. Streamlined pro- “Traumhafte Winterwelt” recently. cesses mean that production will take around 4 per cent less time than previously. Free Wi-Fi at Braunschweig Airport

“Airport Free Wi-Fi” is now one of the Wi-Fi connections displayed on the list at Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport. The free service is available to all pas- sengers in the entire departures area, with no time limit. For passengers, that means hassle-free surfing before take-off. “Free Wi-Fi access is, by now, stan- dard in passenger airports. So by doing this, we are satisfying a wish that was particularly important to our business Journalists learning about measures for more efficient production on the assembly line: travelers,” says the airport’s Managing Plant Manager Stefan Loth (left) and Head of Production Andreas Tostmann (right). Director Michael Schwarz. Ergonomic seats: Making it easier for the employees assembling car interiors.

22 inside Wolfsburg

Uganda: Employees Helping Children With Glocal LifeLearn, Iain Fraser and Philipp Lesch are aiming to build an education center

upporting children in Uganda Volkswagen employee Iain Fraser with – that is the aim of Iain Fraser schoolchildren: He visited aid projects in S (35) and Philipp Lesch (31). The Uganda three years ago. employees at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg Coming soon to your office: site engage in voluntary work with A mother with her child. Glocal LifeLearn and have big plans. Their next project is to establish an educational center in one of the The Office poorest regions of what is in any case for Parents and a bitterly poor country. Fraser, who works in Procurement Children as a PhD candidate on sustainability in supply relationships, and Product Group Logistics has set up a par- Manager Lesch got to know each oth- ent-child office in its buildings in er during a train journey from Berlin Wolfsburg Nordkopf. The aim is to to Wolfsburg. The two commuters improve the compatibility of family and soon discovered that they work for its employees, which is also an shared a passion for devel- objective of Volkswagen AG’s Zukunfts- opment work, something pakt (Pact for the Future). they had both discovered It’s a situation many parents will in their student days. It have experienced: Nursery staff are striking or the nanny is ill and it’s wasn’t long before the topic almost impossible to find a suitable of Fraser’s voluntary work alternative for the child at short notice. with Glocal LifeLearn came Volkswagen employees now have a up. Lesch’s interest was new option: Bring the child to the office piqued and he too became a with them. At Group Logistics there is member in 2017. now an office in which mothers and The charity promotes fathers can work and look after their school education for chil- children at the same dren in Uganda. The project time. The office in the town of Bukedea in is equipped with the east of the country was Life in Uganda: The town of Bukedea. painting supplies, launched ten years ago with Lego blocks, a one sponsored child. Now, Seeing the impact for himself: Fraser (front center) and Glocal LifeLearn colleagues with the children in Uganda. children’s kitchen, 60 boys and girls receive and a car tower. education in semi-private schools supported by Glocal LifeLearn. “Vol- trade close to home once they leave Due especially to high HIV mortality And there is a bed untary work is so much fun when you school. The solution: Glocal LifeLearn, rates, the country is full of children for that all-import- ant nap time. “It see that it really achieves something,” in cooperation with a local partner, is without parents – and help is urgently Thomas Zernechel, says Fraser. building a training facility for nurses needed.” quickly became Head of Group He saw the impact it can make and midwives. “We’re killing two clear that there was Logistics. for himself three years ago. He em- birds with one stone. We’re offering real demand for the phasizes: “We have no administration school leavers a chance to take pro- i parent-child office. I am proud of the expenses. The donations go straight fessional training in their own region projects that our staff have been able to Glocal LifeLearn implement after a hands-on campaign,” to the children and young people.” and, at the same time, we’re doing says the Head of Group Logistics, These children and young people something about the severe lack of Glocal LifeLearn started in 2009 as Thomas Zernechel. have a strong will. “It’s unbelievable medical infrastructure by boosting the an education sponsorship program Last year, Group Logistics started a how much energy they have. They are health system,” explains Lesch. and was recognized as a charitable hands-on campaign on Group Connect. keen to change things and to contrib- And how is all this financed? Partly organization in 2011. Its members The aim was to make the work spaces ute to a better life in their country. through donations and partly through support educational initiatives and corridors more sustainable and Some of them hope to do that by the support of Germany’s Federal in Uganda, which is one of the pleasant. In five self-organized working becoming teachers or nurses, for Ministry of Economic Cooperation world’s poorest countries, with a groups, employees collected around example.” and Development. “We’ve already population of 35 million. 80 ideas and wishes, among them a That is where Glocal LifeLearn collected half the €65,000 we need,” Further information at parent-child office. Supported by Sabine comes in. Lesch, Fraser, and the says Fraser. The New Zealander em- www.glocal-lifelearn.org. Unger from Personnel Development and Commuters: Fraser (left) and Lesch got to other members are aware that young phasizes: “I’ve seen a lot of poverty. You can donate at Dirk Wagner from the Works Council, know each other on the ICE train from Berlin Ugandans have very few opportunities But the situation in Uganda is really betterplace.org/de/projects/67316 Steffi Badur, Marc Pessel, Severine to Wolfsburg. to develop themselves and to learn a bad. Bonitzke, Doreen Hamburger, and Silke Mann implemented the plan. The “Shopping Queen” from HR Herdis Matthäus (34) also impressed presenter Guido Maria Kretschmer with her outfit

olkswagen employee Herdis That really made a splash! Matthäus (34) is Wolfsburg’s “I applied by email just for fun and V“Shopping Queen,” after never thought I’d hear back,” re- winning the popular Vox TV show, members Herdis Matthäus. But a few which was filmed in Wolfsburg for the months later she received an invite second time. Two other Volkswagen from the producers to appear on the employees came second and third: program. And it really happened just as Mandy Auito (Process Management shown on TV: The Pilot Hall) and Maria Sciaraffia candidates were (Logistics). picked up from “Lots of people here at Volkswagen their homes in a come up to me to ask about the show pink van and driv- and to congratulate me,” says the HR en to Wolfsburg’s At her desk at Volkswagen: manager. And she is still smitten with stores to start HR officer the presenter: “Guido Maria Kretschmer shopping. Herdis Matthäus. is just as warm and likeable in the flesh “Herdis was a as he is on screen.” deserving winner Full of praise: As always on the show, each because she was Andrea Russo candidate had four hours and €500 to single-minded implement the motto in an original but also warm and sincere,” says her way, from shoes to hair style. “I sus- fiancé Andrea Russo, who also works at pect it must have been the red pants Volkswagen, in Interiors Procurement. that really put me ahead,” says Herdis Russo reveals the couple’s secret: Matthäus. And to go with those, she “Shopping is our mutual hobby.” Well, spent the money on a black turtle- he can now say he goes on sprees with neck, hair styling, nail polish, and a real shopping queen. Wolfsburg’s shopping queens (from left): Mandy Aiuto, Monika Jürs, Gaby Sprenger, Maria Sciaraffia, and Herdis Matthäus. accessories.

inside 23 Volkswagen Group Components

Components Presents Flexible Charging Station Volkswagen Group Components looks forward to its first trade fair appearance in Geneva – series production starts in Hanover in 2020

irst trade fast-charging station we are mak- fair appear- ing a significant contribution to the F ance for topic of sustainability in e-mobility. the new Group On the one hand, we are making it Components possible to charge electric vehicles brand: The Com- quickly and effectively. On the other ponents division hand, we are developing solutions is presenting for recycling, for the second life, of its flexible the batteries,” says Tiedje. Under the fast-charging new battery strategy, Components is station, which taking on overall responsibility for is an in-house batteries. CEO of Components Thomas development, to an interna- Schmall: “Components can, with tional audience at the Geneva Inter- its flexible charging station, make a national Motor Show on March 5–17. major contribution to the develop- The charging station can also be seen ment of charging infrastructure as a before the trade show opens, at whole. Series production is starting Volkswagen’s “Group Night” on the in Hanover in 2020, and the pilot eve of the first press day. The Geneva project will be launched in Wolfsburg event is one of the world’s biggest this summer. The charging station is a automobile trade shows, attracting good example of how we are shaping around half a million visitors each year. change in Components.” Flexible charging stations also attract- As part of a management info ed attention at Volkswagen Passenger event and the first press briefing by Cars’ Sustainability Workshop on 15 Group Components in Salzgitter last February in Dresden. Thomas Tiedje month, Components also presented 1 from Components Development the flexible charging station to the briefed around 70 journalists on the public – and received an enthusiastic Flexible charging station: The future product was on display in Dresden recently – and is making its first trade show appearance in Geneva (small photo). charging station: “With the flexible response.

Online Grocery Service Braunschweig: New collection point in the plant parking lot

handy time saver: In coopera- towards making Volkswagen a more tion with the “real” supermar- attractive employer. Otto Joos, Head Aket chain, the Braunschweig of the Chassis Business Area, Group components plants now offers an Components: “I’m online grocery service. Instead of delighted that we battling through evening traffic and are offering new standing in line at the supermarket services to our em- checkout, employees can order their ployees at various shopping online and collect it from Components Group a pick-up point on the plant parking locations, making lot. The service was implemented by everyday life easier Service Factory Project Lead André for everyone. The Scheffel, and is part of the “Employee collection point is Service Points” listed in the Zukunfts­ a great addition pakt. These are practical, employ- to the existing Official opening: The new collection point ee-oriented services that are aimed offering.” Order online – collect right outside the workplace. at the plant parking lot in Braunschweig.

The Kassel plant: Maik Dübener with a disk carrier at the new drying facility. Components Protecting the Cli- mate: Cutting CO₂!

330,604 metric tons of CO2: that is how much the components plants have saved through the Think Blue. Factory environmental program over the last nine years – around the same as all the households in Wolfsburg produce in five years. The components plants have also cut their consumption of water by 270,000 cubic meters and of solvents by 138 metric tons. These statistics cover all the components plants that belonged to Volkswagen Passenger Cars at the end of 2018 (apart from China). One clever measure came from Kassel: In the past, disk carriers were passed An amazing team effort: 60 million engines have rolled off the line at the Salzgitter components plant since 1970. through three conveyor ovens, using a great deal of energy, to dry them. Today, a facility designed in-house is used to Staggering! 60 Million Engines from Salzgitter carry out the drying process, cutting CO2 emissions by more than 60 per cent and A short ceremony to mark the occasion: Employees, management, and works council celebrating together saving more than €43,000 each year. Components is continuing with mazing milestone at the a number of technical innovations, achievement of the Salzgitter work- is a staggering achievement. The a strong focus on the thousands of Salzgitter plant: The employ- including the Miller combustion force in a short ceremony on one of 60-millionth unit, an EA 211 Evo, measures from the Think Blue. Factory Aees at the engine plant have process and a turbocharger with the plant’s engine assembly lines: which is the latest gasoline engine, program. The ultimate aim is to cut wa- manufactured 60 million units since variable turbine geometry. Employ- “The employees at our location have demonstrates clearly that we at ter, waste, and energy consumption, and 1970. The 60-millionth engine, a ees at the Salzgitter plant currently proven over five decades that they are Salzgitter as a whole produce cut- CO₂ and solvent emissions, by 45 per 1.5 TSI engine (EA211 evo), came off produce 7,000 engines each day on masters of large quantities and high ting-edge combustion technology, cent by 2025. This will also contribute the production line in mid-February. 86 assembly lines. complexity.” Chairman of the Works but we are also entering the electric to the group’s aim of delivering all cars The economical yet high-torque Plant Manager Christian Bleiel Council Dirk Windmüller added: mobility age with the rotor/stator and CO₂-free by 2050. gasoline engine generation covers acknowledged the enormous “60 million engines from Salzgitter the pilot facility for battery cells.”

24 inside ¹ e-Golf: Power consumption, kWh/100 km: combined 14.1 with 17-inch wheels – 13.2 16 inch; CO₂ emissions combined, g/km: 0; efficiency class: A+. Volkswagen Group Components

From Emden to Kassel: Maike Freese, Joachim Süssen, Tamara König, Sören Jakobs, and Christian Pause are five of 100 employees that have chosen to switch. Work in Kassel for Colleagues from Emden Praise for the amazing welcome support at the components plant: permanent contracts – change of personnel as an opportunity

olkswagen is engaging serious- One of these trailblazers is 29-year-old brands for the benefit of its employ- present themselves to courageous with Volkswagen.” Carsten Bätzold, ly with future topics such as Maike Freese. She switched from ees. Stefan Kreher (Head of HR at the employees who are open to change. Chairman of the Works Council in Ve-mobility, digitalization, and Passat production to the assembly of Kassel plant) explains: “At Volkswagen Employees from Emden who were Kassel: “It is important to us that the networked driving. As a result, Emden the DQ 381 gearbox, which is currently we bear social sustainability in mind on fixed-term contracts can build up personnel changes do not negatively will become the second German loca- in high demand. Freese: “I miss my as we organize our transformation. a good professional future in Kassel. impact those who are here already. We tion, after Zwickau, where Volkswagen friends, of course. But we’re getting As a result, excellent opportunities Centered around a fixed, well-paid job have enough work for everyone.” will be building only electric vehicles. some amazing support to help us sett- The necessary personnel change is le in here. The Kassel plant has started no longer a future topic – it is already a campaign that offers mentoring and happening in practice. Around 100 support with leisure activities. From colleagues from Emden took up their badminton and bike tours to house posts in the Kassel components plant hunting, colleagues are helping us to in January. In the future, they will be find our feet in these new surroun- deployed in gearbox manufacturing. dings.” Christian Pause (31) is another After a week to think things over, these one who made the move. He says: “We employees decided last autumn to take have been given a warm welcome and advantage of the new opportunity. The are integrating well.” Kassel plant offers a workplace with In this transformation, Volkswagen future prospects and – as a new, added is using the opportunities provided benefit – a permanent contract. by a large network of locations and The Emden colleagues discussing their switch to the Kassel components plant with Communications and HR staff. Wolfsburg Chassis: Drive Shafts for all MEB Vehicles First symposium of Volkswagen Group Components in Wolfsburg – Focus on innovative technologies and efficient collaboration

rive shafts for all of Volks­ Chassis can be produced wagen’s new electric cars in cheaper – this collabo- DEurope, innovative technol- ration will be developed ogies in manufacturing, efficient further in future. collaboration within the new Group Thomas Schmall (CEO Components brand: At Volkswagen of Volkswagen Group Group Components’ 1st Symposium, Components): “Last year, Wolfsburg Chassis presented numer- Wolfsburg Chassis realized ous product and process innovations savings of more than €9 – thereby demonstrating a remark- million, further boosting able team achievement. our ability to compete. Providing drive for the ID. family A consistent focus on and more: In future, every new elec- scalable core products, Maintenance Engineer Daniel Ludwig showing the tric car built in Europe on the MEB innovative developments advantages of good team organization, with discussions directly on the team boards. platform will be fitted with drive in products and processes, shafts made by Wolfsburg Chassis. daily improvements on the During the symposium, Plant shop floor: With this mix of mea- processes together, and always Manager Martin Schmuck and his Plant Manager Martin Schmuck (right): With a great team and a ground-breaking product sures, Wolfsburg Chassis is contrib- striving to become more efficient. team showed the Board members strategy, Wolfsburg Chassis is well-positioned for the future. uting to the transformation of the The collaboration between the works and Works Council representatives At the same time, the 2,200 col- Group Components unit is also pay- business area.” Otto Joos, Head of council, management, and employ- what Wolfsburg Chassis is doing leagues at Chassis are constantly ing off. For example, by cooperating the Chassis Business Area, said: “In ees, which was agreed on in the to contribute to decarbonization. improving their processes and mak- with the Kassel site, the forged parts future, our task will be to make even Zukunftspakt, is particularly success- Improving existing drive shafts and ing innovations. In future, 3D-print- manufactured there for Wolfsburg more effective use of the global col- ful in this regard.” developing various types of new ed inductors will be used to harden laboration in Group ones is helping to significantly ex- various components. As a result, it Components and tend the range of electric vehicles. will be possible to use the utilized the Chassis business i Environmentally friendly and tools for twice as long in future. area.” reduced-cost processes in manu- There were also positive financial Chairman of the Future facturing should also cut energy effects in team organization in indi- Group Works Council consumption and CO2 emissions by rect production: Improved informa- Bernd Osterloh added: site symposia 20 per cent. tion flows and optimized processes “Wolfsburg Chassis Braunschweig, March 14 The drive shaft is a key compo- led to a reduction of almost 40 per has shown what this nent. In 2018, Wolfsburg Chassis cent in the processing times for unit has carried out: Salzgitter, March 14 produced 9 million units; by 2022, jobs. The cross-plant collabora- Introducing future Kassel, June 6 that figure is expected to rise to tion in the Chassis division and in Successful product from Components: The kingpins are a key products for our roads, 11.5 million. the newly established Volkswagen component in drive shafts. designing optimized

inside 25 Volkswagen Group Components

Names & News

Sandra Müller-Lauhof, who was previously Head of Product and Project Management in Kassel, assumed her new role as Head of Site Optimization & Production System in Kassel on January 1. Through this role she also becomes a member of the plant management.

Poznań: Heat from the Foundry Innovative and environmentally friendly: Thanks to a joint project by the Poznań Foundry and the Veolia company, around 2,000 homes in Poznań now get their heating through a waste heat recovery system. Veolia held a press conference on the subject in Paris, which was attended by around 50 in- ternational journalists. Plant Manager Thomas Kreuzinger-Janik, Veolia Director Dalida Gepfert, and the Project Lead Top handball players from MT Melsungen visit fans at the Kassel plant: For one hour they took over the roles of colleagues from various lines of work. from Foundry Planning Marcin Matuszak answered questions about the coopera- tion from Poznań via a live video feed. Planning Job Swap with Handball Pros Managers Discuss Team spirit: Employees to make a backstage visit to MT Melsungen Christian Bolle Best Practices shows handball player Timm n exciting day “Pro Kassel.” February 13 was the big employees, the group had lunch Cross-brand exchange on best practice: Schneider for colleagues day: The six pro sportsmen visited together before the job swap came to Invited by Jörg Emmert (Head of Pro- an idler gear in Kassel: the plant to try their hands at the an end. In the second part of the ex- on a DQ381 A duction Planning/Management Group Six employees won a jobs of our Kassel colleagues for an change, the Volkswagen colleagues gearbox. Components), the heads of planning at chance to swap jobs hour. The handball players asked will get a look behind the scenes at Group Components, Volkswagen Passen- with the profes- numerous questions as the various MT Melsungen and an opportunity ger Cars, Audi, Porsche, Seat, and Škoda sional handball work areas – such as production, to visit the handball pros backstage. gathered for a meeting. They discussed players of MT foundry, and paint processing – were The objective of the job swap was current topics relating to all aspects Melsungen presented. “It was very interesting to create synergies and analogies of production planning, including the in a com- to get a look behind the scenes,” said between industry and professional battery responsibility of Components, petition Tobias Reichmann, handball player sport. Everyone agreed that a strong innovative training and qualifications in the site for the German national team. After team spirit is a prerequisite for suc- concepts, and new machine suppliers newspaper an autograph session for all plant cess in both fields. from China and Japan.

What have been the high- Thinking lights on your learning Transform Minds: Inspiration for Strategy and Acting More 1journey? The transformation process of Components is one of Twelve employees from German and Polish components plants selected Flexibly the biggest events I’ve ever experi- enced at Volkswagen. At our stop in Wiesbaden there was the “Change roup Components is in the your perspective” space, which middle of a major process of really got me thinking. We often G transformation, one which talk at cross purposes because we components management is shap- have different points of view. Many ing with its “ONE MISSION 2025” processes would run much better strategy program. Group Components if we all tried to understand each has initiated the “Transform Minds” other. program to ensure that the trans- formation is backed at all levels of How are you involved in the company and that the ideas of the strategy? employees are fed into the change. 2In the “Communication” Transform Minds – twelve employees questions action area I would like to make from German and Polish components for ... a contribution to improving the plants who, after applying success- flow of information between direct 3 employees. I’m convinced that the fully in summer 2018, will support transformation can be a success if the transformation of the divisions we inform all employees about key and plants, and provide ideas and Launch with the Board: The project work started in the Volkswagen Arena. ... David Kraushaar. topics clearly and in a targeted way, inspiration for the twelve strategic He is a "Transform Mind" and involve them in that. action fields, which include “Digi- took part in the 2nd Group Transform Minds report back from Gear Manufacturing talization,” “Product Portfolio,” and Components Conference and on their experiences on Group What conclusions have you “Competency.” The project comprises worked with the management Connect and function as contact in Kassel and is involved drawn personally? four elements: team on the Components strategy persons for colleagues with the "Communication" We must think and act more “ONE MISSION 2025” in the plants. 3 action field. flexibly – and every individual can Ideas and inspiration from the out- • Participating in projects: Transform contribute to that. side were presented at five stations Minds have developed ideas that 5 stations, 1,000 impressions, of a “Learning Journey” feed into the twelve action fields 1 goal: The Learning Journey • Strategy ideas: Transform Minds of the Components strategy. of the Transform Minds • The multipliers of transformation: After the launch at the Group Compo- 1. Linz (September 2018): Visit to the 4. Ingolstadt (December 2018): nents Conference in August, the Ars Electronica technology and Visit to Audi colleagues "Through Transform Minds, we Learning Journey of Transform future trade fair, and development 5. Essen (January 2019): Discussion Minds began. From September of own thematic fields with E.ON on topics relating to can inject fresh, exciting ideas to February there were – in 2. Berlin (October 2018): Visit to transformation from the whole team, and from Linz, Berlin, Wiesbaden, the SAP Data Kitchen on German Ingolstadt, and Essen – five Unification Day Incidentally, Transform Minds different teams, into our strategic exciting stations with working 3. Wiesbaden (November 2018): are presenting their project ideas Ludwig Fazel (Head of Strategy in development, and expand our sessions and creative introduc- Guided Tour of the “Erfahrungs- to the Board and the Management the new Group Components brand) tory speakers for the Transform feld” (Experience Field) in Schloss Board of Group Components in on the “Transform Minds” program. experience horizon." Minds and their projects: Freudenberg March.

26 inside Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Reunion with First Volkswagen Speed-Trap Van Former police officer Heinz Scholze returns to his workplace after 54 years

hat a reunion! They’re two in garages and barns for roughly originals who go way back 54 years, covered in dust and largely Wand have stories to tell: unnoticed. Most recently, it was Former police sergeant Heinz Scholze parked at the shop of a master me- (89) and the first radar speed-trap van chanic in Hanover-Badenstedt. met again after 54 years at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers in Oil change and new battery – Hanover-Limmer. the van just keeps going Ex-policeman Scholze puts on the and going ... old blue police coat and sits down on a wooden chair in the back of the Tobias Twele, a project manager at vintage van. The sprightly pensioner Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Sales Director Heinz-Jürgen Löw (left) turns knobs on the built-in traffic discovered the van. And he still raves accepts the award. radar machine “Telefunken VRG2,” about it: “After taps on switches, and jokes: “Give 54 years of downtime, all we had me 15 minutes and I’ll be completely to do was change the oil and spark Multivan in caught up! Then we can head out plugs, and put in a new battery.” First Place 16th again.” They turned the key – and heard the It all started for him in typical deep bubbling sound of the Time in a Row August 1961, when he was part 25-bhp flat four engine. of the second radar training Twele adds: “The van hardly The readers of the trade magazine course in Lower Saxony. has any rust on the underbody and “auto motor und sport” have decided That meant Scholze was one load-bearing parts. It’s still in really that the Multivan is one of the “Best of the first policemen to scan good shape!” The vintage car experts Cars of 2019.” They voted it into the list for speeders using the new want to leave it in its original condi- of winners for the 16th time in a row. VRG2 measuring system. tion. That also goes for the decades In all, there were 385 models competing He did so on the road, from worth of dust on the roof and in the in eleven categories. Volkswagen a Volkswagen van. drip molding. “That definitely has Commercial Vehicles’ Multivan was And the vintage car to stay,” Twele says. “It’s all part of again selected as the best of its class experts of Volkswagen this van!” (Vans), having received 33.9 percent of Commercial Vehicles But quality is one area where this the votes of international readers. recently brought just this T-series van isn’t showing its age. And Volkswagen scored a total of four vehicle out of its long the police still appreciate that quality; wins in the poll: In addition to the sleep – a 1953-model in Hanover alone, there are currently Multivan, the up!, Polo, and Golf also Volkswagen speed-trap van that over 159 Volkswagen vans in use. The emerged as winners in their classes. policemen used to train radar mea- oldest is a T4 built in 1998. So there’s Two originals: Heinz Scholze (89) and the 66-year-old speed-trap van that the former police sergeant once used to catch speeders. surements. The blue van had stood plenty of life in these vans yet!

Poznań: New Logistics Building in Operation Opening after eight months of construction – three-millionth vehicle produced

t took slightly less than eight mous transports between the halls. months from the laying of the The previous external logistics center I foundation stone to the opening. at Plant 4 in Swarzędz, approximately In Antoninek near Poznań (Poland), seven kilometers from the Poznań Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plant, recently completed the move Eye-catcher: The T2 made of toy bricks. has now started using part of the to the new site. new logistics hall. “With the new logistics hall, we Employees build Van Made of can consolidate logistics areas that three-millionth vehicle were previously located outside the 400,000 Lego plant, which allows us to reduce the Passing a major milestone, employ- Blocks commuting between Swarzędz and ees in Poznań have now built the Antoninek,” says Jörg Pott, Head three-millionth vehicle (since 1993). of Logistics at the Poznań plant. It was a Volkswagen Caddy Edition It’s 4.5 meters long, 1.7 meters wide, Furthermore, he says, the direct 35 station wagon (2.0 l, 110 kW). Ve- and 1.9 meters high: Three Lego mod- connection to the production halls hicle number 3,000,000 remains part el-makers have built a full-scale T2 van makes it possible to use innovative of the internal fleet of Volkswagen using the popular building blocks. It took supply processes, such as autono- Poznań. View of the new logistics hall: It is roughly the size of six and a half soccer fields. them around 600 hours. The vehicle consists of 400,000 Lego blocks and weighs 700 kilograms. By way of com- parison, the original Volkswagen T2 van, which was built from 1967 to 1971, had a curb weight of 1,300 kilograms. The Lego van was presented at the travel and leisure trade show “f.re.e” in Munich.

Plus 14.4 Percent:

Evdokia Siori (19), logistics apprentice at Good Start Honor presented in Berlin: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (fourth from left) with Holocaust survivor Leon Schwarzbaum (second Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, from right), Volkswagen apprentices and Christoph Heubner (left), and Ines Doberanzke (right) from the International Auschwitz Committee. with trainer Lars-Timm Felker. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has started the new year strongly: The brand delivered 39,500 vehicles to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Apprentices customers worldwide in January. That with German President Steinmeier represents a year-on-year increase of 14.4 percent for the month. The key Evdokia Siori accompanied a survivor of the Holocaust to the Bellevue Palace in Berlin European markets of Germany, the UK, Spain, France, and Italy accounted for olkswagen Commercial President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Of the visit to Schloss Bellevue, the participate.” Leon Schwarzbaum (98) over two thirds of the total volume for Vehicles apprentice Evdokia The International Auschwitz Com- official residence of the German pre- presented Steinmeier with the the month with 26,700 vehicle deliver- VSiori (19) and three other mittee had invited the apprentices sident, Evdokia Siori says: “We had a “B statue.” Auschwitz survivors and ies (+24.9 percent). Volkswagen apprentices accompa- from Hanover, Braunschweig, and very good, thorough discussion with the IAC use this statue to honor The markets in eastern Europe also nied Leon Schwarzbaum, survivor Wolfsburg. Last year, they helped the president. I feel as though our persons who stand up for democracy, contributed substantially to the sales of the Auschwitz extermination to preserve the concentration camp work at the memorial is appreciated. human rights, and tolerance and keep volume with a total of 3,850 vehicle camp, to a reception with German memorial. And I thank the IAC for inviting me to the memory of Auschwitz alive. deliveries (+40.6 percent).

inside 27 Panorama Love at first sight: Lucia Hesse and “Herbie” met at a garage, and something clicked between them.

Christoph Köhler named his T3 bus “Shelli.” He spent a year “Emil Ypsilon”: Ingo Drescher’s (right) 1964 Beetle restoring it with his father and brother. Michael Paul’s “Mr. G.” (above) is now a full-fledged member of the family. is a 1992 Polo G40. His daughter Emma is also a big fan of the car. The Names Employees Give Their Cars The inside editors asked employees what nicknames they’ve given their cars

eet Emil Ypsilon. That’s the as a one-year-old used car from to be a company car belonging to under the hood, and when they’re set it. “I decided right away the name name Ingo Drescher from someone who worked at the plant. the oil company Shell, and he named free, they can sometimes do some had to be Herbie, in part because Mthe Battery Research unit in “She learned to drive with it. It was it “Shelli.” From May 2017 to June amazing things,” says the employee my late father’s name was Herbert, Wolfsburg gave his 1964 “Dickholm” her first and only car.” The Dreschers 2018, Köhler, his brother, and his from the Kassel plant. and partly because I really like the Beetle. Drescher and many other used Emil Ypsilon as a wedding car father restored the bus right down Love at first sight is probably Herbie movies.” And does her Herbie coworkers give their cars nicknames 19 years ago. “Naturally, we showed to the smallest screw. “Only special the best way to describe the rela- have superpowers too? “I would say – which they’ve now revealed to our the previous owner the pictures of cars have nicknames,” says Köhler tionship between Lucia Hesse from so, yes,” Hesse replies. “He clearly editors. Emil as a wedding car. She was over- proudly. And the bright-yellow bus is Internal Re-Entry Management and has magic powers. He conjures up a “Emil Ypsilon was given his name joyed.” The Drescher children are all certainly special. her “Herbie,” a Beetle convertible spontaneous smile on many people’s by the previous owner from a nearby big Emil fans too. Michael Paul has grown very fond from 1979. During a garage visit, faces and makes strangers start up town based on the license plate, Christoph Köhler from the California of his Polo G40, a souped-up runabout she discovered the Beetle in the friendly conversations with me.” BS-EY,” says Drescher. The previous production plant brought his T3 out from 1992. “I just call him Mr. G.,” showroom of the dealership in owner, he explains, bought the Beetle of a long period of dormancy. It used says Paul. “There are 136 healthy horses Wolfsburg – and immediately bought

REARVIEW MIRROR – a look at the history books of the Volkswagen company

Former Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (middle) with ex-Volkswagen CEO Toni Schmücker (right) at the company meeting. 40 Years Ago: First Golf Convertible Built Mass production of the “strawberry basket” begins in Osnabrück

n February 14, 1979, the first Golf convertible rolls off the Oassembly line at Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück, and with it a new automotive era begins. With a fixed roll bar and the lined, waterproof top, the car sets standards in its class with regard to vehicle safety and comfort.

43 Years Ago: Roll bar improves safety

Chancellor Schmidt The first prototype for a convertible of the Golf I was created as early as at Company Meeting December 1976. The windshield and the quarter windows of the sedan He champions the automobile in front of 20,000 employees were kept, along with the lower part of the rear gate. It was because of Real eye-catcher: here is a long tradition of noted, many people were inclined to the safety requirements at the time The first Golf convertible. hosting prominent visitors at believe that the commercial devel- that the Golf convertible ultimately TVolkswagen company meetings. opment of the automobile was over. entered production with an integrat- In March 1976, then German Chancellor Even back then, the German gov- ed roll bar, giving it the “strawberry Helmut Schmidt came to the plant in ernment rejected that point of view, basket” look. Ernst Fiala, Director The technical data: The Golf con- model with 81 kW/110 bhp. Wolfsburg. He had been invited by Schmidt said. “I have no doubt that of Research and Development, vertible has a maximum speed of The price: starting at 17,235 Deutsch- the Executive Board and the Works the automobile will most certainly considered the roll 150 km/h. marks. No wonder the open-air Golf Council. Schmidt was impressed by have a bright future as our society bar essential, Volkswagen offers it as a two-door is soon the best-selling convertible in the scale of the meeting. In front of develops further,” said the SPD politi- particularly sedan only. Customers can Europe and even becomes a TV star: 20,000 employees, he made a clear cian. The objective had to be for every in view of choose from two It’s often seen in series such as statement in favor of the automobile employee to be able to afford a car, he the legal re- engine variants: “The Black Forest Clinic” and as a mode of transportation for large added. “That’s a characteristic feature quirements the 1.5-liter model “Remington Steele.” Six generations sections of the population. During the of a modern course of development in the United with 51 kW/70 of the car were built, and the last Golf oil crisis of late 1973 and early 1974, he in society,” Schmidt said. States. bhp and the 1.6-liter convertible was produced in 2016.

Publisher Address Phone +49(0)5361 989 634 Legally responsible Editorial team Layout/Production Impressum Communications of Mailbox 1977, KS-I [email protected] for content Marc Rotermund, Dominic Stripling, the Volkswagen Brand 38440 Wolfsburg, Germany inside.volkswagen.com Jörg Lünsmann Tobias Schwerdtfeger, Volkswagen; inside Director of Internal Alexander Ott, TERRITORY CTR GmbH Communications Oliver Keppler

Photos/Graphics in this issue: Volkswagen AG, Getty Images, iStock; Graphics: Georg Gorontzi (TERRITORY CTR GmbH) 28 inside