Volkswagen: On track to become world's biggest car maker by 2018

Volkswagen is on track to become the world's biggest car maker in 2018.

Toyota announced earlier this week that it expects its global auto sales to increase 6 percent in 2010, hoping to maintain its lead over Volkswagen and General Motors as the world’s biggest automaker. However, around eight years from now, Volkswagen AG’s CEO Martin Winterkorn believes his company will become the worlds biggest automaker, outpacing Toyota and General Motors.

Winterkorn predicts that the group’s seven car marquees – VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti – will together account for more than 10 million car sales a year by 2018. He said that the company plans on revealing 60 “new models and new model revisions” this year alone.

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Source: eGM Cartech

Volkswagen: On track to become world's biggest car maker by 2018

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Volkswagen: Why the multi-brand strategy will make it no. 1

Very interesting read here about Volkswagen's multi-brand strategy and why it will be successful in the end.

It's all come good now though. Despite trading in the worst economic recession for generations, Volkswagen AG last week quietly announced that its sales were up 1.1%. In a global market that slumped by well into double figures.

Just think about that for a minute. Two thousand and nine was a nightmare for businesses everywhere. Especially those manufacturing cars in a mature, cut-throat market thwarted by over-capacity. While American giants General Motors and Chrysler fell into bankruptcy and most groups were frantically offloading brands in fire sales, VW quietly stuck to its guns – expanded, even, as it took an audacious 20% stake in Suzuki and started the process of incorporating Porsche.

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Source: Car Magazine

Volkswagen: Why the multi-brand strategy will make it no. 1

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Volkswagen: Working with Tesla co-founder Eberhard

Rumors have now been confirmed that Volkswagen is indeed working with Tesla co-founder Eberhard. Interesting!

We've asked Eberhard for a comment on the situation and he has confirmed that he is indeed doing work with Volkswagen. Eberhard declined to provide any other details at this time other than to say, " my interests have not changed a lot." We certainly aren't surprised to see him involved because of his passion for electric vehicles. The U.S. is also a primary market for electrics being because of California mandates.

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Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen: Working with Tesla co-founder Eberhard

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VW: Aiming to double sales in US

VW has some big plans for the US: double sales in 2-4 years!

“We will sell 400,000 to 450,000 vehicles in 2012-2013,” Jacoby said at an event ahead of the Detroit Auto Show.

Jacoby said there is a strong possibility for Volkswagen’s U.S. business to become profitable in three years.

“We are a little bit more optimistic now than we were a few months ago,” he said.

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Source: eGM Cartech

VW: Aiming to double sales in US

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Volkswagen: Considering Formula One entry

Ok, this rumor is coming up every year, so it seems to be that time again. Here is some more intel about Volkswagen's consideration of entering F1.

VW’s main motorsport commitment is to the Dakar Rally and it continues to be linked to a fresh assault on the World Rally Championship. Nissen says a decision could not be made on the group’s F1 involvement until it has competed in at least two more Dakars. VW is not short of options of what to call its team; Audi, Bentley and Bugatti are believed to be the most likely options.

“There is a difference between the brand Volkswagen and the Volkswagen group," he said. "The VW group has a lot of brands, 10 now, with different images. If the group enters Formula 1, they would need to decide which brand, and I personally think that they would decide on another brand than Volkswagen.

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Source: Autocar

Volkswagen: Considering Formula One entry

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Volkswagen: No further expansion planned

Volkswagen has announced that they are not planning any further expansion. We are not so sure about that, but time will tell for sure.

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn doesn't intend to add any more brands to his much-expanded group.

In the past month the VW Group has acquired a 19.9 per cent stake in Suzuki and a 49.9 per cent stake in Porsche. Brands already under the VW Group banner include Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Seat, Skoda and VW itself.

But Winterkorn told German magazine WirtschaftsWoche that he was now satisfied with the VW Group line-up and he saw no need to add any other brands to it.

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Source: Autocar

Volkswagen: No further expansion planned

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Volkswagen: Qatar acquires 17% stake

Qatar has acquired a 17% stake of the Volkswagen group.

Qatar has acquired a 17 per cent voting stake in Germany's Volkswagen AG and it will also get a seat on the supervisory board of subsidiary Porsche.

Qatar has acquired a 17 per cent voting stake in Germany's Volkswagen AG and it will also get a seat on the supervisory board of subsidiary Porsche, according to a company statement.

Until recently, the Gulf state had only had a stake of just below 7 per cent, but it used options - acquired from Porsche months ago - to build up the holding.

The announcement comes as little surprise, after the Qatar investors announced earlier in August that they intended to acquire a 17 per cent stake in Volkswagen, becoming the German investment authority's No.3 shareholder, after the state of Lower Saxony, where VW is located, and the Porsche and Piech families, which control Porsche SE.

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Source: Drive, picture by Speedheads

Volkswagen: Qatar acquires 17% stake

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Volkswagen: Projects with Suzuki to kick-off in January already

Volkswagen is losing no time in partnering up with Suzuki with the first projects starting in January 2010.

According to Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki, Volkswagen and Suzuki will kick off development on joint projects starting January 2010.

“We generally understand what we want from each other, through information exchanged up to now,” CEO Suzuki told reporters at the launch of the new Alto in Tokyo. ”Actual, detailed execution — with our people going there and their people coming here — will be after January.”

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Source: eGM Cartech

Volkswagen: Projects with Suzuki to kick-off in January already

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Volkswagen: Mapping out the future of Porsche

Have a look at Volkswagen's plans for Porsche's future. Our favorite: the Porsche Carrera GT!

BABY BOXSTER: The first planned step is the creation of a roadster to slot in under the Boxster. Ex-boss Wiedeking believed that a Porsche smaller than the Boxster might dilute the brand, but Winterkorn wants a Porsche-badged, small mid-engined roadster based on the two-seat VW BlueSport concept car shown last January at the Detroit auto show. When badged as a Volkswagen, a SEAT, or a Škoda, the production version of the roadster would have 120- and 200-hp gas engines.

CAYENNE: This SUV’s 2017 replacement won’t retain the current model’s off-road capability and top speed of more than 160 mph. Instead, it will lose weight (while remaining the same size as today’s Cayenne) and get more fuel-efficient engines.

911: Perhaps the most difficult question surrounds the future of the iconic Porsche two-door. Today, the 911 comes in 14 different flavors, but since the 911’s engine went water cooled in 1998, the changes between one generation and the next have been kept small to ensure the happiness of 911 loyalists. But Winterkorn’s intentions are now to change the 911 more extensively by implementing new technologies faster—just don’t expect the 911 exteri­or design to change dramatically.

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Source: Car and Driver

Volkswagen: Mapping out the future of Porsche

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Volkswagen: What the Suzuki deal means

Read on for more intel about the Volkswagen-Suzuki deal and what it really means.

Volkswagen AG and Toyota Motor Company may downplay the parallel, but they both now have "saved" Japanese automakers General Motors cast off. First, Toyota bought GM's 20 percent of Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries in late 2005 and VW has just purchased 19.9 percent of Suzuki, making VW the Japanese company's biggest shareholder, less than a week after GM bought out Suzuki's share of the CAMI joint-venture plant in Ontario, Canada.

Surely it's a coincidence that Volkswagen and Toyota now are in a neck-and-neck race to claim the top spot as the world's largest automaker. Toyota has held the spot for a couple of years. VW's Ferdinand Piech, who just turned the tables on Wendelin Wiedeking and bought majority interest in his family's company, Porsche, smells blood in Asia. No doubt he'd like to quickly do to Toyota what Toyota did to GM. Still with me?

Okay. So Toyota maybe doesn't care so much about being number one. Its couple of years at the top was no day at the beach, and the first priority of the company's new chief, scion Akio Toyoda, is to sell "passionate" cars again. Exactly the kind that VW and its brands, from Audi to Bugatti, have sold to great success in recent years.

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Source: Motor Trend

Volkswagen: What the Suzuki deal means

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Volkswagen: Buying 20% of Suzuki

Volkswagen has now confirmed the purchase of almost 20% of Suzuki.

Suzuki has become the latest brand to become part of the Volkswagen Group after VW agreed to buy a 19.9 per cent stake in the Japanese microcar specialist.

VW has been attracted to Suzuki by its expertise in small car design and by purchasing a stake in the firm, VW has gained access to Japan’s kei-car market and a firmer foothold in China, where Suzuki has a large presence. VW is already China's top-selling manufacturer.

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Source: Autocar

Volkswagen: Buying 20% of Suzuki

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Volkswagen: Taking 20% stake in Suzuki

Reports are indicating that Volkswagen will take a 20% share of Suzuki.

Volkswagen is poised to take a 20 per cent stake in the Suzuki Motor Corporation in the next few days according to financial market reports.

Suzuki is an unassuming automotive giant, building 2.6m cars globally each year. However, it is the company’s expertise in small car design that is said to have attracted VW’s interest.

Suzuki also has a significant grip on the Indian market, selling various generations of its Swift and Alto small cars at different price points. It also has success with the Maruti brand in India and is the strongest player in Japan’s market for tiny K-car city vehicles.

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Source: Autocar

Volkswagen: Taking 20% stake in Suzuki

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Volkswagen: Acquisition of Karmann confirmed

Volkswagen has confirmed the acquisition of Karmann.

Volkswagen’s Supervisory Board confirmed today that it will buy land, machinery and equipment formerly belonging to Karmann at its Osnabrueck, Germany. Volkswagen said that it will build a new vehicle in Osnabrueck in 2011 but did not specify what the new car would be.

“Volkswagen will begin vehicle production in Osnabrück in 2011,” Volkswagen said in a statement. “According to present plans, this will create over 1,000 jobs by 2014. Ongoing development contracts will continue in effect. Some 200 specialists will already be needed from next year to start production and set up the vehicle project.”

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Source: eGM Cartech

Volkswagen: Acquisition of Karmann confirmed

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Porsche, Volkswagen: Merger to begin

The merger between Volkswagen and Porsche is about to begin.

VW's board is set to formally approve its merger with Porsche later this week.

Although the merger has long been anticipated, VW's board will sign-off legal documents outlining the takeover. The documents are said to be thousands of pages long.

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Source: Autocar

Porsche, Volkswagen: Merger to begin

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Volkswagen: New platform for 60 models!

VW is pushing the limits with 60 (!) upcoming models and therefore is developing a new platform. A must read!

Volkswagen is putting the finishing touches to a brand new front-wheel drive platform to be used by up to 60 models from Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen by the middle of the next decade.

Known as MQB (modularen querbaukasten or modular transverse engine mount architecture), the new structure will replace today’s PQ2, PQ3 and PQ4 platforms. The move, according to Wolfsburg insiders, will help save Volkswagen and its various offshoots up to a billion euros per year by streamlining production and creating greater economies of scale.

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Source: Autocar

Volkswagen: New platform for 60 models!

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Volkswagen: Now no. 1 carmaker in the world!

Wow, that was quick and much earlier than expected. Volkswagen wanted to be the no. 1 carmaker and overtaking Toyota by 2018, but latest research shows that they have already achieved that with 4.4 million cars sold so far in 2009 compared to Toyota's 4 milion and GM's 3.6 million. Congrats to Wolfsburg! Great news.

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Source: Spiegel Online

Volkswagen: Now no. 1 carmaker in the world!

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Volkswagen: Buying larger stake of Porsche

Volkswagen is buying a larger stake of Porsche when originally planned, 49.9% in first move.

Europe's largest carmaker, Volkswagen, has said it is to buy 49.9% of sports car maker Porsche by the end of 2009 for about 3.9bn euros (£3.54bn;$5.8bn).

In August VW and Porsche agreed the details by which VW will merge with its German compatriot by 2011.

VW had initially been set to buy a 42% stake in Porsche by the end of this year for 3.3bn euros.

The deal will end months of acrimony between the two firms, and would end Porsche's failed efforts to buy VW.

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Source: BBC

Volkswagen: Buying larger stake of Porsche

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Volkswagen: Buying Ducati?

Street word has it that Volkswagen is looking into adding Ducati into their brand portfolio.

The Italian motoring press is reportedly signaling that Volkswagen is making renewed overtures toward Ducati, which, like pretty much all other motorcycle manufacturers these days, is seeing sales and profits take a dive due to the sorry state of the global economy.

Just a few weeks back at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Piëch indicated that the Volkswagen Group was looking to expand, and some took that to mean it would procure a sizable stake in Suzuki, another long-rumored target of the German automaker. KTM, maker of the bonkers X-Bow roadster, has also been bandied about as a potential partner.

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Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen: Buying Ducati?

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Volkswagen: Partnering with Varta for advanced lithium-ion batteries

Volkswagen is partnering with Varta for the development of advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Volkswagen has announced that it is setting up a joint venture with Varta Microbattery GmbH to develop more powerful lithium-ion batteries for use in electric cars. The four-year project still needs approval from the German Cartel Office.

Volkswagen said that the projects main goal is continue further research and to develop lithium-ion batteries that would be more competitive in terms of technology and pricing.

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Source: eGM Cartech

Volkswagen: Partnering with Varta for advanced lithium-ion batteries

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Volkswagen: Buying stake in Suzuki by year's end

The rumors are heating up that Volkswagen will buy a stake in Suzuki by year's end.

Now, the German industry publication Automobilwoche is reiterating the same news. Apparently, a Suzuki executive at the Frankfurt Motor Show mentioned that an agreement between the two automakers would be in place by the end of the year. "For Suzuki and VW this connection would be a win-win situation. Suzuki would have access to a variety of VW's technology, while Volkswagen would have a solid supporting leg in India and Southeast Asia," the unnamed source said.

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Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen: Buying stake in Suzuki by year's end

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Volkswagen: Working on 11th and 12th brand?

According to this report Volkswagen is eyeing to integrate two more brands into the group and it looks like there will be some announcements already this year.

The iconic head of Volkswagen's supervisory board, Ferdinand Piech, said Monday that Europe's biggest car maker should have two more brands.

"Twelve is a good number," Piech told media during an event organised by VW ahead of the 63rd Frankfurt auto show which opens Thursday.

VW already has 10 brands, and is integrating its latest acquisition, Porsche, among others that include Audi, Lamborghini, Seat and VW.

Piech declined however to name the brands he would like to add next.

"Talks are already underway," he noted. "Let yourself be surprised this year."

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Source: Drive

Volkswagen: Working on 11th and 12th brand?

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Volkswagen: China outpacing Germany in sales numbers

Volkswagen has sold more cars now in China than in Germany.

In fact, for the first time, Chinese sales of its cars outstripped those in its home market of Germany. Volkswagen sold 652,000 cars in China in the first half of this year, selling 631,900 in Germany for the same period.

Compared to the first half of 2008, the figures are a 22.7 percent increase in sales in China, and an 18.3 percent increase in Germany.

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Source: Eurocarblog

Volkswagen: China outpacing Germany in sales numbers

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Porsche, Volkswagen: Merger now official, Porsche to become 10th Volkswagen brand

Finally the merger between Porsche and Volkswagen is now official. And now, let's move on.

With today's announcement of Wendelin Wiedeking leaving his position as Porsche's CEO to be replaced by Michael Macht still fresh, the supervisory board at Volkswagen is moving to lay the foundation for an integrated company with Porsche under VW leadership.

Already the board has endorsed the creation of the integrated group, and talks are underway to draw up the final plans. According to a statement released by the VW Group today, "The integrated automotive group will be formed from the progressive participation of Volkswagen in Porsche AG and the subsequent merger of Porsche Automobil Holding SE and Volkswagen AG. Porsche will remain an independent company headquartered in Stuttgart."

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Source: Motor Authority

Porsche, Volkswagen: Merger now official, Porsche to become 10th Volkswagen brand

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Volkswagen: $1 billion investment in Mexico to build new model

Volkswagen will invest $1 billion in Mexico to build a new model, which one is still top secret.

A Volkswagen spokeswoman in Mexico told Reuters that Volkswagen has invested $1 billion to expand its Mexico facility to start producing a new model. Volkswagen’s investment is a sign of confidence for Mexico’s auto industry, which accounts for a fifth of the country’s total exports. The plant currently builds Jettas, Boras and new Beetles.

“The production of the new model will start in March or April of 2010,” spokeswoman Consuelo Minutti said.

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Source: eGM Cartech

Volkswagen: $1 billion investment in Mexico to build new model

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Volkswagen: Revival of the Auto Union name after Porsche merger

If true, this would be great! Volkswagen is looking into reviving the Auto Union name after merging with Porsche.

Made famous by the Silver Arrow grand prix cars of the '30s, and made infamous when Adolf Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche in 1933 to create a German competitor to dominate the series, the name still carries a stigma post-WWII. Chairman of the Volkswagen Group, Dr. Ferdinand Piech, is said to have suggested the title as an umbrella corporation that would incorporate the two automakers.

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Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen: Revival of the Auto Union name after Porsche merger

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Porsche, Volkswagen: Merger talks!

The takeover of Volkswagen by Porsche has officially been stopped and the parties are now in merger talks instead, creating an automotive giant with 10 brands!

Automotive News Europe reports today that Porsche and Volkswagen have finally cleared the way for combining their brands under a single operation. The new carmaking group would have no less than 10 brands under one roof, though the "independence of all brands and explicitly also of Porsche shall be ensured." VW will be bring its nine brands to the table, while the Porsche brand itself would be contributed by Porsche Automobil Holding SE, the separate holding company owned by members of the Porsche and Piech families.

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Source: Autoblog

Porsche, Volkswagen: Merger talks!

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Volkswagen: Close to overtake Toyota as no. 1 carmaker

VW is close to overtake Toyota as no. 1 carmaker. Great news!

Early reports of first-quarter figures suggest that the VW Group’s nine car and truck brands could out-sell the combined might of Toyota Motor Corp, which includes Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and truck maker Hino.

While Toyota has suffered heavily from the weak performance of its core markets – in the first quarter of 2009 the Japanese market was down 24 per cent year-on-year, while the US was down 38 per cent – VW’s key markets were buoyant by comparison.

China, Germany and Brazil make up around 44 per cent of the VW Group’s total sales, and each country has successfully introduced government-sponsored schemes to boost new car sales.

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Source: Autocar

Volkswagen: Close to overtake Toyota as no. 1 carmaker

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Volkswagen: Surpassing GM as No. 2 car manufacturer soon

Volkswagen is on its way to become the second largest car manufacturer soon by surpassing GM.

According to market research company R.L. Polk, Volkswagen is projected to overtake General Motors in total sales sometime this year, assuming GM's sales continue at their current pace, which is down by about 31% from last year. For it's part, VW is expected to see a much smaller 15% drop in global vehicle sales in 2009.

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Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen: Surpassing GM as No. 2 car manufacturer soon

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Volkswagen: Grand Opening of their new US headquarter in Herndon, VA

Here are some nice impressions from the Grand Opening of the new US Volkswagen Group headquarters in Herndon, VA.

A grand opening on September 19 of the Volkswagen Group of America’s new corporate headquarters in Herndon, Virginia was a signal in ways literal and figurative that the German corporation’s American business is on the move. “America is the most demanding car market, stated Volkswagen Group Chairman of the Board of Management Dr. Martin Winterkorn. “To take a line from Frank Sinatra,” he continued, “If we can make it (in the USA), we can make it anywhere,” and that’s just what he and his American team led by Stefan Jacoby plan on doing.

First come the facilities. This new charcoal-toned high rise overlooking Virginia’s Dulles Toll Road will play home to Audi of America and Volkswagen of America, while sister brands Bentley and Lamborghini have each opened new digs in Boston and Los Angeles respectively. Following these moves, an all-new domestic car manufacturing facility that will build new American market Volkswagens and likely the next-generation Audi A3 for the Americas is also in the works.

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Source: VWvortex

Volkswagen: Grand Opening of their new US headquarter in Herndon, VA

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Volkswagen: Now 3rd largest car maker, overtaking Ford

Volkswagen has overtook Ford as the world's 3rd largest auto maker with the strong will not to stop there.

The Volkswagen Group has taken its place among the world's top three automakers thanks to the Wolfsburg-based company's outstanding delivery figures in the first half of 2008. Rival Ford had to settle for fourth position.

"We are delighted that the Volkswagen Group has made it to the global automobile industry's top three for the first time. This shows that we are on the right track with our ever-stronger international presence and, above all, our product program. We will systematically push ahead with our growth course even in the present difficult market environment," Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, commented.

With 3.31 million vehicles delivered in the first half of 2008, the Volkswagen Group increased deliveries in the first six months of this year by 7.2 percent, moving up to third place in the global vehicle sales ranking and overtaking its rival Ford, which announced vehicle sales of 3.22 million for this period.

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Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen: Now 3rd largest car maker, overtaking Ford

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Volkswagen: Factory in Vietnam?

After making the decision for the US plant, Volkswagen seems also to consider building a factory in South East Asia with Vietnam being favored by the worker's council head Mr. Osterloh. We will keep you informed.

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Source: Auto Motor und Sport

Volkswagen: Factory in Vietnam?

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Volkswagen: New US factory to be in Chattanooga, Tennessee

In a surprising move after the reading all the earlier "news" and rumors, Volkswagen has announced to build their US factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Expect to see the first cars from there in 2011 which might be a US only VW Passat. Now the open question still is: will we see Audi cars from there as well?

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. announced today that it will build a U.S. automotive production facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., where it will produce a car designed specifically for the North American consumer and invest $1 billion in the economy. The announcement is an important element of the company’s overall U.S. strategy of connecting with its customers, increasing its competitiveness and tripling its U.S. customer base in the next decade.

“The U.S. market is an important part of our volume strategy and we are now very resolutely accessing that market,” said Prof. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen AG. “Volkswagen will be extremely active there. This plant represents a milestone in Volkswagen’s growth strategy. We will be selling 800,000 Volkswagens in the U.S. by 2018, and this new site will play a key role. This, along with our growth strategy, is a prerequisite for the economic success of the company in the dollar region. We look forward to establishing an important mainstay for ourselves when we become the biggest European carmaker there.”

“This is a significant step forward in achieving our goals in the U.S. market and a clear sign of the Volkswagen Group’s commitment to the North American consumer. Today’s decision is a fundamental part of our new strategic direction in the U.S. and our five-pillar strategy,” said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “Chattanooga is an excellent fit for the Volkswagen culture, having an exceptional quality of life and a long manufacturing tradition.”

The company will build the facility in the Enterprise South Industrial Park, located 12 miles northeast of downtown Chattanooga. The 1,350-acre site is 100 percent owned by the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County and is certified as an industrial megasite by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Enterprise South is adjacent to Interstate 75. Initial production capacity for the facility is anticipated to be 150,000 vehicles, including a new midsize sedan designed specifically for the North American market. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2011.

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Source: VWvortex

Volkswagen: New US factory to be in Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Volkswagen: Targeting Alabama for new US plant

While having the decision postponed to 15th July it looks like Volkswagen is targeting to go to Alabama for their US plant.

After considering several states for a new U.S. manufacturing facility, Volkswagen seems ready to break ground for the plant in Huntsville, Alabama.

VW reportedly favors the location due to an incentive package offered by the state's government. Although details aren't currently available, the incentives offered by Alabama supposedly eclipse those offered by Tennessee or Michigan, states also considered for the factory.

VW still considers locating the factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a second option. Automotive News claims the leading factor in preferring Huntsville was that Alabama could meet the automaker's construction timeline; Tennessee could not.

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Source: Automobile Magazine

Volkswagen: Targeting Alabama for new US plant

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Volkswagen: Plant will be shared?

We don't need to wait too long until we finally know where the new Volkswagen plant will be heading, but we found some new interesting information in the meantime that the plant might be shared between the two remaining locations.

As the deadline nears for Volkswagen to choose between sites in Huntsville and Chattanooga for a proposed U.S. plant, here's the latest rumor: Both cities may get good news.

MetalBulletin.com, a London-based publication covering global metal markets, reported Thursday that the German automaker could end up calling both sites home.

Citing an unnamed state economic development official, the report said VW was leaning toward a site in Limestone County recently annexed by the city for an assembly plant and is interested in a Tennessee Valley Authority "megasite" in Chattanooga for an engine plant.

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Source: The Huntsville Times

Volkswagen: Plant will be shared?

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Volkswagen: Decision for US plant to be made on July 8th

According to German "Auto Motor und Sport" Volkswagen will make a decision about an US factory on July 8th in the executive board meeting, a week later on July 15th the topic will also be discussed at the board of management.

It's also said that the decision will be made between Alabama and Tennessee, Michigan is reported to be without chance.

Production shall start already in 2010 and 300.000 cars are expected to roll off the band in 2018 per year.

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Source: Auto Motor und Sport

Volkswagen: Decision for US plant to be made on July 8th

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Volkswagen: Group design future revealed by Design Director Walter De Silva

Volkswagen Group Design Director Walter De Silva has shared his vision about future design for all brands. A must read!

Extolling his own thoughts on design amid the current world – “constraints are what promotes creativity” - he described VW as being immersed in a process of defining their design language as Audi had already done to achieve the quality and diversity necessary. Audi design DNA was “understood by everyone in the company” he said, “right down to the smallest details”.

VW design would “return to simple (design) language that’s easy to understand - a clear hierarchy of grilles and rear-end treatments”. Key words and phrases had been coined during the process, he said, such as timeless, consistent, unique, responsible, history, quality, solidity, simplicity and coherent design transmitting responsibility; there was talk of VW design reflecting social evolution.

Lamborghini: Affable Chief Engineer Maurizio Reggiani was unwilling to say anything about its construction other than “Composite materials will be most important in the future – especially cheaper ones” and “the power to weight ratio is key, and everything we can do to get the weight down is vital to the project”, reinforcing the belief that Lamborghini will finally abandon its traditional welded steel chassis in the pursuit of strength with lightness.

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Source: Car Magazine

Volkswagen: Group design future revealed by Design Director Walter De Silva

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Volkswagen: US plant locations narrowed down to Alabama, Tennessee

Seems like Volkswagen is narrowing down their choices to Alabama and Tennessee to build their US factory. Our bet is on Alabama.

The latest reports from within Volkswagen indicate that the Michigan site that had been in contention for Volkswagen’s U.S. plant has fallen behind the two sites in the southern U.S. Volkswagen’s final decision is still at least a month away, but officials in Alabama and Tennessee are doing everything they can to entice the German carmaker to their state.

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Source: Motor Authority

Volkswagen: US plant locations narrowed down to Alabama, Tennessee

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Volkswagen: More hints point to Limestone County for US factory

We found some more hints that the new Volkswagen (and Audi?) US factory might be build at Limestone County in Alabama.

A North Alabama industrial recruiter used a childhood game to hint Thursday at the possible location of a Volkswagen plant in Limestone County.

Godfrey, who is based in Decatur, in his opening remarks asked his audience to bear in mind the word “kerplunk.”

“But we must stress patience. There is some intense behind-the-scenes activity going on. That brings me back to ‘kerplunk.’ That was a game we played as kids when we would go on trips with our parents and every time we saw a Volkswagen Beetle we would say ‘kerplunk.’ At the end of the trip the person with the most kerplunks won. We’re hoping that everyone in North Alabama will be able to say ‘kerplunk’ in the near future.”

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Source: eNews Courier

Volkswagen: More hints point to Limestone County for US factory

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Volkswagen: AWD for next-generation small car across all brands

The next-generation small car platform will feature AWD across all brands.

The new platform, dubbed PQ25, will find its way underneath a handful of new models, spanning the range from the low-end (SEAT), mid-grade (VW) and luxury (Audi). All-wheel-drive won't be an option for the new SEAT Ibiza, but consumers of the next VW Polo (specifically the CrossPolo) might be able to outfit their tiny runabout with AWD, while the Audi A1, due out in late 2009, will continue the automaker's love affair with quattro.

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Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen: AWD for next-generation small car across all brands

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Volkswagen: US factory location narrowed down to Alabama, Michigan, and Tennessee

If Volkswagen will build a factory in the US, it will be placed somewhere in Alabama, Michigan or Tennessee. These choices have been narrowed down so far.

VW group of America president Stefan Jacoby (pictured) said on Wednesday that the list of potential locations had been narrowed to Alabama, Michigan, and Tennessee. “We reviewed many excellent sites and the process to narrow down the locations was not an easy one,” said Jacoby.

Jacoby went on to say that the company was evaluating things like site readiness, logistics, and of course cost, as it continues to mull over the U.S. facility. VW has said that the strengthening price of the euro is what’s ultimately driving its move, with the currency’s strength against the U.S. dollar making America a logical target for production.

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Source: Winding Road

Volkswagen: US factory location narrowed down to Alabama, Michigan, and Tennessee

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Volkswagen: Piech is looking for a motorcycle company

It seems like Dr. Ferdinand Piech is still looking to buy a motorcycle company.

Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech would like Europe's largest car company to complement its stable of brands by acquiring a motorbike maker, he told German magazine Stern.

"I would still like a small, valuable motorcycle manufacturer," he said in an interview held jointly with his cousin, Wolfgang Porsche, who chairs the Porsche supervisory board.

Piech said he still regretted missing out on Italy's Ducati when it was in trouble in 1985 and a buyer could have snapped it up for peanuts.

"I myself drive a Ducati. 180 horses and more power per kilogram weight than a 1,001-hp Bugatti," said the Austrian, who will turn 71 on Thursday.

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Source: Reuters, picture by Autoblog

Volkswagen: Piech is looking for a motorcycle company

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Volkswagen: Buying additional factory from Fiat in China

Volkswagen will buy an additional factory from Fiat in China to fulfill the increasing demand for their cars.

Shanghai VW, Volkswagen's 50-50 joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), is expected to acquire the remaining assets of Fiat's passenger car joint venture Nanjing Fiat, according to SAIC.

'Preparations for Shanghai VW to assemble its current car models at Nanjing Fiat are ongoing,' SAIC said in a statement posted on its website.

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Source: Forbes

Volkswagen: Buying additional factory from Fiat in China

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Volkswagen: World cars do not work!

Volkswagen's head Dr. Martin Winterkorn replied to a General Motors statement that he does not believe in world cars as the market are too individual. We can't agree more, nobody wants a world car.

Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen’s chief executive, said on Thursday that the days of building one car for the whole world were “dead and buried”.

VW will introduce 20 new models in the next three years, including vans and pick-ups, as part of a plan to sell 8m cars by 2010 – up from last year’s 6.2m.

Mr Winterkorn said he hoped to beat Japan’s Toyota in sales and profitability, as well as other measures such as customer satisfaction and quality, although he refused to give a timescale.

“In the coming years, we will make the VW group the world’s most international carmaker. The days of a ‘world car’ are dead and buried. Our customers in China or India expect us, as a global player, to offer entirely different solutions than we do in the US or western Europe,” he said at VW’s annual press conference.

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Source: Financial Times, picture by Motor Trend

Volkswagen: World cars do not work!

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Volkswagen: Sponsoring the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Volkswagen is providing a huge fleet of cars for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Volkswagen has officially announced its status as the official vehicle sponsor of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. More than 10,000 athletes from roughly 200 countries will converge on the city and will compete for medals in 28 events.

The VW-supplied vehicles will include various models from the Volkswagen, Skoda, and Audi brands and will be used by athletes, officials, and guests throughout their stay in Beijing.

VW cars have also been selected as the official fleet vehicles for the international Olympic Torch Relay traveling from Greece to China.

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Source: Motor Trend

Volkswagen: Sponsoring the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

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Volkswagen: Diesel will play major role in US

According to this interview with Stefan Jacoby, head of Volkswagen Group of America, diesel will play a major role for in the future for Volkswagen. Interesting read!

Volkswagen's chief of North American operations on Friday outlined plans to more than triple sales of the German automaker's brands in the United States over the next decade through aggressive marketing and by taking advantage of growing demand for clean diesel fuel.

"Diesel is back," said Jacoby, who noted Volkswagen's traditional strength in the diesel car market. "We see clean diesel at a tipping point."

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Source: Herald Tribune, picture by Motivemag

Volkswagen: Diesel will play major role in US

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Volkswagen: 1.000.000 DSG transmissions sold!

Volkswagen is celebrating the sales of more than 1 Million DSG transmissions. To all customers: great choice!

The benefits of the design include extremely fast shift times, in some cases taking only 8 milliseconds, barely any power less because of the lack of a torque converter, faster acceleration because there’s barely any dip in power when the gears are changed, and better fuel economy than both conventional and automatic transmissions.

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Source: Motor Authority

Volkswagen: 1.000.000 DSG transmissions sold!

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Volkswagen: 80 new jobs at new headquarters in the US

If you are leaving close to Herndon or are willing to move, Volkswagen might have a job for you.

Volkswagen, in the process of moving its North American headquarters from Detroit to Herndon, has dozens of jobs to fill at its new Northern Virginia location, and that number is expected to grow.

VW has more than 80 job openings for Herndon listed on its corporate Website currently. VW spokesman Steve Keyes less than 200 of the 400 positions eventually housed in Herndon will be relocations from Detroit, meaning job openings could top 200 here. Jobs range from administrative and sales positions to information technology and senior executive openings.

Salaries aren't posted along with job descriptions, but VW "obviously has to be competitive within the marketplace," said Keyes.

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Source: BizJournals, picture by Volkswagen

Volkswagen: 80 new jobs at new headquarters in the US

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Volkswagen: The 7-speed DSG explained in detail

Here's a detailed explanation on how the new 7-speed DSG by Volkswagen works.




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Source: Motorpasion

Volkswagen: The 7-speed DSG explained in detail

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