~ History Of Volkswagen ~

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Volkswagen Gallery


Volkswagen Touareg   (2010-2012)

   

   

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Volkswagen Gallery


Volkswagen Amarok   (2010-2012)

      

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Volkswagen Gallery


Volkswagen Tiguan   (2011-2012)

      

      

      

      

      

         

      

      

      

      

      

   

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Volkswagen Production

2007   3660000
2002   3062841
2000   3456269
1999   2932817
1998   3064213
1997   2581276
1996   2608301
1995   2470191
1993   2191992
1992   2503305
1991   1767786
1990   1946397

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Volkswagen News

Audi vehicle sales in China up 20% in June
From Reuters  July 06, 2012


Reuters (Frankfurt) - Volkswagen's premium carmaker Audi said it sold 20.4 percent more cars in China in June than a year ago.
That rate of growth represents a slowdown from the 44.2 percent rise seen in May, however.
For the first six months of 2012, Audi sold 193,871 cars in China, a rise of 37.8 percent.
Audi said that made it the most popular premium brand in China, and added it wished to continue to grow at double-digit rate in 2012.

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Volkswagen News

Volkswagen to take full control of Porsche
By: Automotive News Europe on 7/05/2012


Volkswagen Group's decision to take full control of Porsche Automobil Holding SE's carmaking business is seen as positive by analysts.

VW said it has agreed to buy the remaining 50.1 percent of Porsche SE's automotive business that it doesn't already own for 4.46 billion euros ($5.54 billion), ending a seven-year takeover saga that divided two of Germany's most powerful families.

The agreement means Volkswagen can now fully fold the Porsche automaking business into its stable of brands, which range from Audi and Bentley sedans to Skoda and Seat volume models and Ducati motorbikes.

It leaves Porsche SE, which is controlled by the Piech-Porsche family, still owning 50.7 percent of VW's common stock.

"To have the Porsche clan as owners and the anchor shareholder is good for Volkswagen and for Germany," said Christoph Stuermer, an IHS Automotive analyst in Frankfurt. "This has changed the cultural heart of the company. Volkswagen has become substantially stronger and long-term oriented."

'Good deal'

Erich Hauser, a Credit Suisse analyst in London, said: "It's very positive for VW as they get 50 percent of an asset they value at $32.32 billion euros on their own books for $5.54 billion. If I was a Porsche shareholder, I'd feel slightly short-changed though."

Morgan Stanley analyst Stuart Pearson said VW is getting a good deal. He predicted in a note to investors that its completion would lift VW earnings by 6 percent next year. "Porsche is the world's best premium car story," he said.

With sales volumes running close to 20 percent above their previous record, Porsche's main challenge is "securing sufficient production capacity," and integration with VW may help, Pearson said. VW already plans to begin assembling some Porsche models in its own plants.

At a press conference at its Wolfsburg, Germany, headquarters on Thursday, VW said it expected the integration of Porsche to be fully ratified by Aug. 1.

"We can now cooperate even more closely and jointly leverage new growth opportunities in the high-margin premium segment," VW CEO Martin Winterkorn said in a statement. "Combining their operating business will make Volkswagen and Porsche even stronger--both financially and strategically--going forward."

$8.7 billion cash drain

Porsche's earnings contribution for this year will be mainly offset by the purchase price, VW said. By revaluing its existing shares in Porsche, VW expects to book a non-cash gain of more than $11.18 billion and predicts a liquidity drain on its own automaking division of about $8.7 billion.

Volkswagen is paying the purchase price, plus transferring one share to Porsche, in a move that allows the carmaker to classify the merger as a restructuring rather than a takeover.

Doing so means VW avoids a tax bill on the purchase of about $1.24 billion. The agreement with tax authorities has been criticized by some German politicians.

VW was able to proceed with the transaction after reaching an agreement with German tax authorities, it said

The cash deal is based on an equity value of $4.82 billion and also includes what the Porsche holding company would have received in dividend payments and half of the forecast synergies from the combination.

"I am not surprised by the deal as such, only by the timing," said Albrecht Denninghoff, a Frankfurt-based analyst at Silvia Quandt Research. "Both parties have wanted the integration for a long time."

Piech-Porsche family split

Porsche's attempt, starting in 2005, to take over Volkswagen, which makes more cars in a week than the sports-car maker does in a year, split the Porsche-Piech family that controls Porsche.

Ferdinand Piech, VW's chairman, crossed his cousin Wolfgang Porsche to thwart the plan, which fell apart after Porsche's SE's debt rose to $13.67 billion in the midst of the financial crisis.

VW helped Porsche SE in its debt crisis by buying nearly 50 percent of Porsche's carmaking business for $4.85 billion at the end of 2009.

Piech, 75, the former VW CEO, was elected to a third term as VW chairman in April and has since solidified control of Volkswagen. His wife, Ursula, took a seat on the company's supervisory board earlier this year.

Porsche SE said it will repay remaining bank liabilities of $2.49 billion in full from the $5.54 billion that it will receive. "The major portion of the liquidity remaining is intended to be used for strategic equity investments, focusing along the automotive value chain," it said.

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Volkswagen News

Fiat gives sneak peek of upcoming 500X crossover: Autoweek TV
Published on 7/05/2012


Also in this episode: Volkswagen completes its takeover of Porsche, Ford touts the fuel economy of its C-Max hybrid and an all-Mini orchestra toots its way through "God Save the Queen" ahead of the summer Olympic Games.

TRANSCRIPT

-- Fiat previews a small crossover.

-- Volkswagen gets full title to Porsche.

-- Ford says the C-Max hybrid is a gas-sipper.

-- And Mini toots it horns for the Olympics.

I'm Natalie, and this is a Thursday edition of Autoweek TV. Here's today's news:

--

Fiat has given us a preview of a crossover version of the 500 minicar.

The crossover will be called the 500X. It goes on sale in Europe in early 2014 and shortly thereafter here in the U.S.

Jeep is also working up a crossover based on the same platform as the 500X. It is code-named B-SUV and goes into production in early 2014.

--

Volkswagen has agreed to buy the remaining 50.1 percent of Porsche that it doesn't already own for $5.54 billion. The deal ends a seven-year takeover battle that divided the Porsche and Piech families in Germany.

The agreement means VW's stable of brands ranges from Skoda and SEAT economy cars to Audi and Bentley luxury cars, to Ducati motorbikes.

--

Ford says it expects the C-Max hybrid wagon to be rated at 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway, putting it ahead of the rival Toyota Prius V.

The C-Max shares its platform with the Focus but uses a taller, wagon body style. It has seating for five passengers and stickers for just less than $26,000.

Ford is also preparing a plug-in hybrid version of the C-Max. It goes on sale this fall.

--

That's the news for today.

We close with video of Minis tooting their horns in a salute to Britain as it prepares to host the summer Olympic Games.

We'll be back tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the drive.

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Volkswagen News

Shanghai VW produces eight millionth sedan
By Carmen Lee  From Gasgoo.com


Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 3) - Shanghai Volkswagen manufactured its eight millionth sedan, a blue colored New Lavida, last week, chinanews.com reported today. The news marks a new milestone for the joint venture.

Shanghai VW is one of China's earliest automobile joint ventures, having been established in March of 1985. The JV, which is equally owned by SAIC Group and German manufacturer VW AG, sells models covering all segments of the passenger automobile industry. The JV manufactured its seven millionth sedan in September of last year, meaning it only took nine months for it to manufacture one million sedans.

Shanghai VW currently has four automobile factories, an engine factory and a technology research and development center spread across its two key bases in Shanghai's Anting District and Jiangsu's capital of Nanjing. The JV is also in the process of constructing new factories in Ningbo, Zhejiang and Yizheng, Jiangsu. Furthermore, the JV has previously stated its intent to expand into the far western region of Xinjiang.

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Volkswagen News

FAW-VW takes measures to prevent its dealerships from overcharging Chinese customers
By Carmen Lee  From Gasgoo.com


Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 1)- An internal document recently forwarded from FAW Volkswagen to its dealerships has gained the attention of many in the industry. In the document, FAW-VW explicitly prohibits dealerships from raising fixed prices on its models. Several commentators, including the Nanfang Daily, which reported on the story earlier this week, speculate that the document is the joint venture's way of responding to public allegations of price control by its dealerships.

According to the document, FAW-VW dealerships must sell any VW vehicles at the manufacturer's set price, and are banned from forcing consumers to purchase optional features or services they do not wish to buy. The documents specifically mentioned the CC and Golf, both popular models in the country. Any dealerships found to disobey the policy would be forced to compensate affected customers twice the amount overcharged within three working days. In certain instances, FAW-VW will go as far as suspending the dealership's commission for the remainder of the quarter. Dealerships may also see their ranking in the FAW-VW sales network negatively affected.

Many believe that FAW-VW announced the new policy in order to quell government suspicions that dealerships were illegally raising the prices of popular models. Price differences between several models among the JV's dealers in the north and south of the country have attracted a great deal of attention. Several models, including the new Magotan, CC and Golf, are considerably more expensive in FAW-VW dealers the north of China than those in the south. Consumers and industry analysts both have applauded the JV's decision to prevent illegal price raising in a tough market where making sales is considerably difficult.

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Volkswagen News

FAW-VW manufactures 6m vehicles in China
By Carmen Lee  From Gasgoo.com


Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 1)- FAW Volkswagen's six millionth automobile rolled off the production lines at the joint venture's factory in Jilin's capital of Changchun on Thursday, Changchun Evening News reported earlier this week. FAW-VW marked the event by inviting over 200 people, including its management, stockholders and various press organizations.
The six millionth car, an Audi A4L (pictured above), came off the assembly lines not long after a VW Sagitar was manufactured at FAW-VW's Chengdu, Sichuan passenger car factory. The event was streamed live between the JV's Changchun and Chengdu factories. Board Chairman and President An Tiecheng (pictured below) stated that the event represents a new beginning for the JV. He believes that from this point on, the JV has the confidence to perfect the quality of its products and marketing in China.

From its first car built on Chinese soil, FAW-VW took a full 12 years to produce one million vehicles. The JV has made spectacular gains since then. Only a mere ten months ago it manufactured its five millionth automobile. The JV's total annual production capacity is now well over one million vehicles.

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Volkswagen News

FAW-VW may begin making new generation VW Golf in China by August 2013
By Carmen Lee  From Gasgoo.com


Gasgoo.com (Shanghai June 27)- FAW-Volkswagen may begin manufacturing the new seventh generation Golf as early as August of next year, the Beijing Youth Daily reported today. The compact will be manufactured at the joint venture's factory in Foshan, Guangdong.

Only four years after its predecessor was introduced, the seventh generation Golf was announced. While it is unlike VW to release a new model so quickly, intense competition in the market seems to be forcing the manufacturer to adapt quickly. The new Golf is expected to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this year. Although it has yet to make its debut, several unofficial concept renderings (pictured) have been made.

In a departure from tradition, the new Golf will not be built on the PQ35 platform, but instead on the MQB platform, which will also be used for the next generation Tiguan. The new Golf will be larger and more spacious than the current version. It will come with a variety of turbocharged engines available, including a 300 bhp 2.0 L gasoline engine and a 1.2 L diesel engine. Plug-in hybrid and BlueMotion pure electric versions are also in the making.

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Volkswagen News

Summary: Shanghai GM's sales performance from 2002 to 2012
By Carmen Lee  From Gasgoo.com


Gasgoo.com (Shanghai)- Shanghai General Motors' sales exceeded those of sister company Shanghai Volkswagen's for the first time in 2005, making it China's top selling joint venture for the year. Its sales continued to grow in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, it experienced a slight sales decrease, falling behind Shanghai VW and FAW-VW in the overall rankings. However, by 2010 it had recovered its number one place, which it has held ever since.

Last year Shanghai VW sold a total of 1.23 million vehicles. Its sales in the first five months of this year totaled 555,300 units. The joint venture's growth rates have far exceeded those of its closest rivals Shanghai VW and FAW-VW. A brief summary of the JV's sales performance over the last decade follows below.

Shanghai GM was established in 1997, 12 years after Shanghai VW and six years after FAW-VW. From 2002 to 2004, the joint venture started making considerable gains on the two rivals. December of 2002 marked the Chinese debut of the Buick Regal, while April of the next year saw the introduction of the Kaiyue Excelle. The JV's sales grew a full 81.6 percent in 2003. Sales growth petered off the next year, increasing 'only' 13.1 percent, still faster than Shanghai VW and FAW-VW.

Then in 2005, Shanghai GM brought the Chevrolet brand to the country. That same year, it also began domestic production of the Cadillac CTS, setting the foundation for the three brand strategy it employs today. In the following years, Shanghai GM brought over the Buick Lacrosse and Park Avenue. In 2006, the JV began importing Saab vehicles as well.
Shanghai GM sold 32,470 vehicles in 2005, surpassing rivals Shanghai VW and FAW-VW, which sold 287,100 and 272,000 vehicles, respectively.

However, Shanghai GM's lack of diversity in its lineup restricted its potential growth. Aside from the Chevy Aveo and Buick Kaiyue Excelle, none of the JV's models made it into the top three lists for individual segment sales. In fact, the joint venture's sales fell 8.3 percent in 2008, finishing behind FAW-VW and Shanghai VW.

In response, the joint venture introduced a plethora of new models over the next two years, including the Chevrolet Cruze and New Sail, as well as updated versions of the Buick Regal and LaCrosse. Its sales grew 58.7 percent in 2009 and 42.1 percent the following year, when it finally broke the one million sales barrier.

Last year, when growth in the Chinese automobile market slowed down to 8.7 percent, Shanghai GM still managed to sustain double digit growth. The JV sold a total of 1.23 million vehicles during the year, 18.5 percent more than the 1.03 million it sold in 2010.

As for this year, Shanghai GM's sales in the first five months of the year totaled 555,300 units, more than any of its competitors. Total sales during the five month period grew under ten percent from last year. However, Shanghai GM has been losing ground in the subcompact segment to rivals Shanghai VW and FAW-VW, which both managed to outsell the JV in April. The JV's sales made a slight rebound in March, with a total of 110,500 vehicles sold, slightly above Shanghai VW's 100,300 sales but still less than FAW-VW's 120,500 sales. Several of its models are still performing strongly, with the Kaiyue Excelle and New Sail still leading their respective segments.

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Volkswagen News

2012 Volkswagen GTI hot lap video
Published on 6/14/2012


Take a hot lap around the Michigan International Speedway in a 2012 Volkswagen GTI as part of Autoweek’s 7 performance cars less than $30,000 series.

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Volkswagen News

2012 Volkswagen GTI: 7 less than $30,000 video review
Published on 6/14/2012


Autoweek's Roger Hart takes a look at the 2012 Volkswagen GTI as part of our 7 performance cars less than $30,000 series.

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Volkswagen News

VW reshuffle reflects China market's power
  From China Daily


China Daily - In a move that shows China's increasing importance in Volkswagen's global strategy, the auto giant recently announced it will establish a new management board for its operations in the country.

According to the announcement, Jochem Heizmann, former board member responsible for commercial vehicles, will now lead the company's China operations.
The automaker said in a statement that the reorganization "underpins the significance of the largest market in the world".

The news release added that the move is part of an extensive management realignment at Europe's largest carmaker announced on June 2, which includes a new board member for its commercial vehicle business and replacement of three Audi board members.
The company also replaced the head of its luxury units Bentley and Bugatti and the chiefs of its commercial vehicle brands MAN and Scania.

Most of the appointments will take effect on Sept 1.
Volkswagen's CEO Martin Winterkorn said the reorganization is an "important building block for implementing Strategy 2018".

The strategy formulated in 2008 called for the company to become the world's leading automaker - economically and environmentally - by the end of the following decade.
Beijing-based independent auto analyst Zhong Shi said the management reshuffle reflects Volkswagen's desire to drive its growth in every business sector including China, one of its most important markets.

"Selling more than 2 million vehicles in a single market is unusual," Zhong said, "The prerequisite for Volkswagen to be the leader globally is that it must do an excellent job in China, better than it does now."

Last year Volkswagen sold nearly 2.3 million vehicles in China, more than one-fourth of its global deliveries, making the country its largest market for three consecutive years.

A company plan released last September said its two joint ventures in China will invest 14 billion euros ($17.6 billion) in capacity expansion and new models from 2012 to 2016.

Volkswagen Group China's current president and CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann, an expert on electric vehicles who took the position in September 2010, will leave his post. Winterkorn said he's seeking a new role at Volkswagen for Neumann, according to Bloomberg news service.
Media reports speculated that the change was partly due to recent publicity over problems with Volkswagen's China-made direct shift gearbox (DSG).
The company declined to comment on those reports.

The carmaker recently extended the warranty in its DSG transmission to 10 years or 160,000 kilometers in China to restore consumer confidence after many customers complained about abnormal noise, excessive shift shock and overheating.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine arranged talks with Volkswagen representatives two times but the company did not launch a recall, stating the issue is related to driving comfort but not safety.

Instead it began to offer a free service in March to update software, which proved to have controversial effects - some car owners said it didn't fix the previous problems but weakened power performance and increased fuel consumption.

The national quality supervision administration is still investigating the issue.