Volkswagen Group: A Global Leader in Mobility

Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s leading car makers, with a vision of mobility for generations to come. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines and turbomachinery, as well as offers related services, including financing, leasing, and fleet management. In this blog, we will explore the history, strategy, brands, and achievements of the Volkswagen Group, and how it is transforming the automotive industry with innovation and sustainability.

History of Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group was founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front, a Nazi organization, to mass-produce a low-priced “people’s car”. The first model, the Volkswagen Beetle, was designed by Ferdinand Porsche and became a symbol of German engineering and a global success. After World War II, the company was restructured and privatized, and expanded its product range and market presence. In 1969, Volkswagen acquired Auto Union, which included the Audi brand, and later merged with NSU Motorenwerke, creating the basis for the modern Audi AG. In the following decades, Volkswagen acquired several other brands, such as SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, and Scania, forming a diverse portfolio of vehicles and services. Today, the Volkswagen Group operates globally, with 114 production facilities in 19 European countries and ten countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa, and employs over 660,000 people.

Strategy of Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group is driven by a vision of mobility for generations to come, which means providing safe, efficient, and affordable mobility solutions for everyone. The company has adopted a Strategy 2030, which lays the foundations for the biggest transformation process in its history. The strategy focuses on four key areas: electrification, digitalization, sustainability, and customer orientation. The Volkswagen Group aims to become the global leader in electric mobility, with a target of selling more than 20 million electric vehicles by 2030. The company also plans to invest in digital technologies, such as connectivity, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, to enhance the customer experience and create new business models. Furthermore, the Volkswagen Group is committed to reducing its environmental impact and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The company also strives to be a responsible and attractive employer, fostering a culture of diversity, innovation, and integrity.

Brands of Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group comprises ten brands from five European countries: Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, ŠKODA, SEAT, CUPRA, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche and Ducati. Each brand has its own identity, history, and customer base, but shares the common values and vision of the Volkswagen Group. The brands offer a wide range of products and services, from compact cars to luxury vehicles, from motorcycles to trucks, from banking to leasing. The Volkswagen Group also owns a majority stake in Traton, a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles, and a minority stake in Italdesign Giugiaro, a renowned design studio. The Volkswagen Group leverages the synergies and collaborations among its brands to achieve economies of scale, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Achievements of Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group is a global leader in the automotive industry, with a strong track record of performance, innovation, and social impact. The company was the world’s largest automaker by sales in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, selling 10.9 million vehicles and generating a revenue of €250.2 billion in 2021. The company also ranked seventh in the 2020 Fortune Global 500 list of the world’s largest companies, and 29th in the Forbes Global 2000 list of the world’s most powerful companies. The Volkswagen Group has also received numerous awards and recognitions for its products and services, such as the World Car of the Year, the European Car of the Year, the International Engine of the Year, and the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index. Moreover, the Volkswagen Group is a pioneer and a partner in various initiatives and projects that aim to improve the mobility, safety, and quality of life of people around the world. For example, the company supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, the Global Compact, and the e-mobility for Africa Foundation.

Conclusion

The Volkswagen Group is more than just a car maker. It is a mobility provider, a technology innovator, a sustainability champion, and a social contributor. The company has a rich history, a clear strategy, a diverse portfolio, and a bright future. The Volkswagen Group is shaping the future of mobility for generations to come.