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Accelerate, attack and achieve: ambitious three-stage plan of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand up to 2030 Entry-level electric model marks key step Future-proof prospects: main Wolfsburg plant will be a pioneer in the production of the new all-electric compact class on the SSP platform At today’s works meeting in Wolfsburg, Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, presented plans for the future of the core brand. Employees also had a first glimpse of the design of the Volkswagen brand’s future entry-level electric model at a price of about €20,000. “With the conclusion of negotiations in December, we set the largest future plan in Volkswagen’s history in motion. We are pursuing an ambitious path to ensure we achieve our shared goals with full commitment. A key step in this is making e-mobility attractive for everyone – that is our brand promise,” said Schäfer. At the same time, the Volkswagen brand CEO emphasized that Wolfsburg would remain the center for innovation and production competence. He said that the main plant would set new standards in automobile production. Volkswagen plans to present the show car for the new entry-level model to the public at the beginning of March. The world premiere of the production model is scheduled for 2027. With a base price of about €20,000, the new entry-level electric model will be attractive for a wide variety of user groups. Schäfer: “An affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe – that's the Champions League of automotive engineering!” Daniela Cavallo, ChairwomN of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG: “The new all-electric entry-level model will be a Volkswagen in the genuine sense of the term. It is therefore appropriate that our employees at the Wolfsburg plant will be the first to have a preview of the design – before the general public.”

High-output turbocharged petrol engines expand the range of drive systems in addition to the already available powerful turbodieselCombination of TSI and 4MOTION enables towing capacities of up to 2,200 kg for the Passat and Tiguan and up to 2,500 kg for the TayronThe new 2.0 TSI 4MOTION with a choice of 150 kW (204 PS) or 195 kW (265 PS) can now be ordered for the Tiguan and TayronPassat as an all-wheel drive TSI model is always delivered with 195 kW and sporty R-Line equipment Volkswagen is expanding the drive range of the best-selling Tiguan and Passat as well as the new Tayron with the most powerful turbocharged petrol engines (TSI). These are coupled to the intelligently controlled 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard. The combination of TSI and 4MOTION enables towing capacities of up to 2,200 kg (Passat and Tiguan) and 2,500 kg (Tayron with appropriate equipment). The Tiguan and Tayron SUVs can be configured as 2.0 TSI 4MOTION with 150 kW (204 PS) or 195 kW (265 PS). The Passat 2.0 TSI 4MOTION always comes in the more powerful 195 kW version. Sales of the new Volkswagen all-wheel drive models have begun in some markets in Europe. The turbocharged petrol engines complement the most powerful TDI engine with 142 kW (193 PS).

When the VW Beetle was due to be replaced in the 70s, Volkswagen had several models up its sleeve: the Passat came onto the market in 1973, followed a year later by the Golf, while the Polo made its debut in 1975. No vehicle before had been so short and refined. Positioned a class below the Golf, the Polo perfectly rounded off the then new model family with front-wheel drive. 50 years later and in its sixth generation, the Polo has proven how a small car can assert itself confidently in a likeable way. More than 20 million cars sold speak for themselves. Affordable mobility and innovations: a car for everyoneThe Polo does not just stand for technical innovations, but also for affordable mobility for everyone. With state-of-the-art technology and a fair price-performance ratio, the Polo has contributed to individual mobility over generations. Whether for first driving lessons, sporty driving pleasure or as a family car – the Polo has created memories and will continue to be a versatile companion in the future also. Flashback: a small car makes the big timeThe small car presented in March 1975 was based on the Audi 50. In slightly modified form it went into series production in Wolfsburg as the Volkswagen Polo and quickly provided a breath of fresh air in the small car segment. With its clean design and high functionality, it caught the spirit of the times. Efficient, practical and affordable, the lightweight vehicle was also characterised by agility, very good handling characteristics and economical engines. Core virtues that have continued the success story ever since. Evolution over six generationsWith each generation, the small car has been developed further. The Polo II brought a number of improvements from 1981 onwards, including more space and comfort as well as modernised engines. In 1987, the limited special series Polo Coupé GT G40 saw the debut of the scroll-type supercharger, which provided more power.

Volkswagen is defending its undisputed market leadership in Europe but also growing significantly in North and South America Diverse customer needs are being met through extensive model portfolio comprising all drive types Volkswagen has delivered around 500,000 units of the all-electric ID.3 to customers since the model series was launchedSUV trend sustained: new generation of the T-Roc arrives in 2025 Despite strong headwinds, Volkswagen delivered around 4.8 million vehicles to customers worldwide last year (1.4 per cent fewer than in the previous year). Volkswagen was again the clear market leader in Germany with a market share of 19.1 per cent, according to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Martin Sander, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales: “Around the globe, 2024 was a difficult year with sluggish economic activity, political challenges and intense competition – particularly in China. Yet, we are beginning the new year with optimism. Not only do we have attractive products, but we are meeting the needs of a wide variety of customer groups with our extensive, diverse model range that covers all drive types.” The brand also boasts a broad range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Since launching the ID. family in 2019, Volkswagen has sold over 1.35 million units of the ID. worldwide, including around 500,000 units of the ID.3. Last year, Volkswagen sold 383,100 BEVs. Undisputed market leader in Germany and EuropeIn 2024, Volkswagen was again the clear market leader in Germany with a KBA market share of 19.1 per cent. The top ten most popular vehicles include as many as five Volkswagen models: the Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, Passat and Polo. Volkswagen also topped out the German market in the BEV segment. Here, Volkswagen vehicles accounted for 16.3 per cent of new registrations, an increase of 2.8 percentage points on 2023.

Agreement at company level At the company level, the company and employee representatives have agreed to realign the production capacities of the German Volkswagen plants with new structures and technologies to ensure competitiveness. To this end, production capacity in Germany will be reduced by approximately 734,000 units. The company is thereby responding to the decreasing automotive market in Europe and the increasingly fierce competition, while at the same time creating the fundamental requirements for continued commercially viable production at its home base in Germany. The plant utilisation agreed upon provides for the following realignments for the plants of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand: Wolfsburg (Production): In future, the ID.3 and CUPRA Born models will also be manufactured at the headquarters.Production of the Golf and Golf Estate models will be relocated to Puebla in Mexico from 2027.As a result, production will be focused on two assembly lines instead of four today.The future of the plant will also be secured at the end of the decade with the introduction of the electric Golf and another model based on the future SSP electric car architecture. Wolfsburg (Technical Development) In order to be able to invest more in innovation, Technical Development is being reorganised to make it more effective. By utilising Group synergies, the competitiveness of Technical Development will be sustainably strengthened.As part of this realignment, around 4,000 jobs will be cut by 2030. Tasks will also be transferred to other locations within the Technical Development network.In the future, the Technical Development department of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand will be responsible for the core brand group's development network. Emden: The Emden plant will continue to produce the ID.7 saloon, ID.7 Tourer and the ID.4, even after the facelift. Osnabrück: The T-Roc Cabrio will be manufactured in Osnabrück until mid-2027.

The Tayron takes the number of models built in Wolfsburg to four: the Golf, Tiguan and Touran are also produced there The newest member of the Volkswagen portfolio – the Tayron – was given a grand reception this week when employees from nearly all the different disciplines joined Wolfsburg Plant Manager Uwe Schwartz and Works Council member Jürgen Mahnkopf for the symbolic start of series production. The SUV all-rounder, which is optionally available with seven seats, is the fourth model to be produced at the Volkswagen Group’s largest plant, alongside the Golf, Tiguan and Touran. To date, more than 48 million cars have been produced in Wolfsburg – more than any other car factory in the world. "Wolfsburg has always been a role model within our production network – and will continue to fulfill this role even in challenging times," says Christian Vollmer, Board Member for Production and Logistics at the Volkswagen brand and also a member of the extended Group Management Board. “Other locations look to what happens in Wolfsburg. The successful Tayron SoP [Start of Production] sends a strong signal.” Plant Manager Uwe Schwartz used the SoP to thank colleagues from across the different specialisms that have been involved in the project: "A car launch is always a team effort, involving the entire production team. With the Tayron, many cogs meshed perfectly: from the press shop to body construction, painting, assembly, and vehicle completion." According to Schwartz, collaborations with other departments, such as Procurement or Technical Development, also worked smoothly. This was the only way it was possible to adhere almost exactly to the long-planned SoP schedule, especially with the challenge of integrating the Tayron into the processes of Assembly Line 4 while Tiguan production was ongoing. "Our colleagues can be proud of this achievement,” adds Schwartz. “In the coming weeks we will do everything we can to ramp up Tayron production successfully.”

“Despite stable vehicle sales, in part bolstered by the launch of attractive new models such as the Tiguan, Golf and the all-electric ID.7 Tourer, we were not able to offset higher fixed costs in the third quarter, especially at the VW brand. Moreover, the market headwinds have become even stronger in recent months. That is why we need more far-reaching measures to finance necessary investments and thus safeguard the future of Volkswagen for the long term. In order to increase our profitability, we must vigorously expand and execute our performance programs. We have strong products, from ICEs and hybrids through to all-electric models. Provided we keep our eyes on the ball as regards costs, this is an excellent foundation for a good future." Key figures (Jan. – Sept. 2024) Unit sales of 3.63 million vehicles in the first nine months (3.57 million vehicles in Q1-Q3 2023). Slight growth of 1.5% in unit sales in the first nine months of the year compared with the same prior-year period (Q3 2023: +0.7%). Brand Group Core sales revenue of 101.5 billion euros in year to date at a stable level (101.1 billion euros in Q1-Q3 2023). Stable sales volumes in a challenging competitive environment due to slightly higher unit sales and pricing measures. Operating resultcame in at 4.49 billion euros (2023: 4.99 billion euros). Higher fixed costs and expenses for restructuring measures impacted the operating result and could not be offset by volume growth. Brand Group Core operating margin of 4.4% in the first three quarters of the year (4.9% in Q1-Q3 2023). Adjusted for provisions for termination agreements, the Brand Group Core’s operating return on sales in the first three quarters came in at 5.2%, but was only 3.2% in Q3 2024. Net cash flow of 2.89 billion euros was 19.0% lower than the comparable prior-year period. Higher inventories as a result of the model offensive and a rise in receivables led to a decrease in net cash flow.

Debut of the new adaptive Sport DCC The ID.3 product line’s flagship model: the new ID.3 GTX Performance is arriving on the market with an individualised design and extensive standard equipment Volkswagen is upping the ante by launching a new, even sportier version of the ID.3 GTX. In addition to the ID.3 GTX, which delivers 210 kW (285 PS), the new ID.3 GTX Performance with 240 kW (326 PS) is now also available to order. This means that the electric compact sports car is equipped with Volkswagen’s most powerful electric drive motor. Both GTX versions effortlessly convert their power into traction on the rear axle. The body and chassis layout offers significant benefits here: with the new 79 kWh battery (net) located in the sandwich floor and precisely in the centre of the vehicle, this design offers a sporty low centre of gravity and ideal axle load distribution for driving dynamics and vehicle handling that guarantees plenty of fun. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Development, says: “With its spontaneous and superior power delivery, the new ID.3 GTX Performance is for me the electric counterpart to our sporty compact car icon, the Golf GTI Clubsport.