Production and locations

Volkswagen produces millions of vehicles around the globe every year. In spring 2021, the Group's production network will comprise 114 locations worldwide, of which 70 plants manufacture cars - around 40,000 units per day. The Volkswagen brand is a strong base in this global network, with 49 manufacturing plants for vehicles and components.

Out of the 49 plants, 15 plants (excluding China) are responsible for the "Production and Logistics" division of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. Here, the well-known models such as the Golf, Tiguan, Touareg, Passat and the new all-electric ID. family roll off the production line. The factories in China are run by the two joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen.

Components such as engines, transmissions, batteries or steering systems are also manufactured at many of the sites. These areas of production belong to Volkswagen Group Technology, which has been an independent business unit under the umbrella of Volkswagen AG since the beginning of 2019.

The entire automotive industry is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation - towards electro mobility. At Volkswagen, the transformation is in full swing already. After Zwickau with the production of the ID.3 and ID.4, the Emden site is currently being converted into the brand's pure e-production plant in Germany. Also Chattanooga is preparing for the start-up of the ID.4. In addition, more and more locations are becoming multi-brand plants within the Group.

Managing and developing this innovative, global Volkswagen production network is one of the most complex tasks in the automotive industry. In order to ensure a smooth operation, the main challenges are improving productivity, sustainability and increasing digitalization - i.e. areas such as big data, 3D printing and smart networking.

With its "Produce.Together" strategy, the Volkswagen brand's vehicle production has already begun this reorientation towards the future of mobility.

With its brand and production strategy, Volkswagen aims to increase the productivity of its plants by 5 percent annually by 2025. In addition, all plants are to produce in a completely CO₂-neutral manner in the future. Moreover, the production plants will be geared towards electro mobility. "Produce.Together" thus paving the way to a sustainable and efficient future for Volkswagen's global production network.

By 2025, Volkswagen’s objective is to reduce the environmental impact of production by 45 percent per vehicle compared to the base year 2010. From 2015 to 2025, CO₂ emissions per vehicle are also to be halved by increasing energy efficiency and sourcing electricity from renewable sources. Already 90 percent of all Volkswagen car factories purchase electricity from renewable sources. The long-term goal is to achieve balance-sheet CO₂-neutral production, which is already being implemented at the MEB plants. In addition, the company is raising the environmental awareness of its employees worldwide. With its "Zero Impact Factory" environmental program, production is thus consistently reducing emissions in all factories and in logistics.