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Germany
Volkswagen AG (97100 employees)
*Wolfsburg factory (1938)
44600 employees
Golf, Polo, Lupo/Seat Arosa; manufacture of parts within the production
network; VW Group headquarters
Cars/Day: 4000
*Kassel factory (1958)
16000 employees
Gearboxes, production and replacementpart, conditioning of units (engines and gearboxes) central parts
supply, catalytic converter, production castings, components.
Making 15000 gearboxes every working day.
*Hannover factory (1956)
13900 employees
Transporter and Caravelle, VW Taro/Toyota HiLux, Volkswagen LT, alloy castings for engines
(1 - 3,3 t payload); components
Cars/Day: 1200
*Emden factory (1964)
10000 employees
Passat, Passat Variant, Taro (Toyota Hilux), soon production of the new Golf.
Cars/Day: 2000
*Salzgitter factory (1970)
8000 employees
Engines (320 different versions), TDI for Volvo, components
*Braunschweig (Brunswick) factory (1938)
6000 employees
Components (rear axles, steering units), further manufacture of parts within the production
network tool making and machine construction. Making 15000 rear axles every working day.
AUDI AG
34900 employees
(1964: takeover of 50% of the capital stock from
the former Auto-Union GmbH; at present: 98.99% Volkswagen AG)
*Ingolstadt factory
24600 employees
Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A4 Avant, Audi S4; watercooled engines for the production network
*Neckarsulm factory
9600 employees
Audi Cabriolet, Audi A6, Audi A6 Avant, Audi S6, Audi S6 Avant, Audi A8, Audi S8
*VW Sachsen GmbH (founded 1990, 100% Volkswagen AG)
Sächsische Automobilbau GmbH
*Mosel factory
2700 employees
Golf, Passat Limousine
Cars/Day: 3000
*Chemnitz factory
550 employees
Engines
Belgium
Volkswagen Bruxelles S.A, Brussels (founded: 1947 Sales/1970 production; from 1976. 100% VW AG)
*Brussels factory
5800 employess
Golf, Passat Limousine (Passat made for North America)
Cars/Day: 1200
Poland
1150 employees
Volkswagen-Poznan Sp.zo. founded 1993
Assembly of VW-Transporters; SKD assembly: VW Polo,
Audi A6, Skoda Felicia, Seat Cordoba
Portugal
3900 employees
(founded 1991; 50% Volkswagen AG, 50% Ford Motor Company Europe)
*Palmela factory
VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra, Ford Galaxy (all MPV's)
Cars/Day: 400
Spain
SEAT S.A, Barcelona (takeover 1986; 100% Volkswagen AG)
*Barcelona plant
3300 employees
Marabella, engine production central administration
*Martorell plant
9500 employees
Ibiza, Cordoba, Cordoba Vario, Toledo, Polo Classic,
Caddy/Inca, Polo Variant, engine production; central spare parts store, technical
development
VW-Navarra S.A (100% subsidiary of Volkswagen AG)
*Pamplona factory
4500 employees
Polo; engine production
Cars/Day: 1200
Gearbox del Prat S.A (100% subsidiary of SEAT)
*Prat factory
1300 employees
Gearbox production for VW and Seat
Czech Republic
SKODA Skoda automobilova a.s, Mlada Boleslav
16900 employees (founded 1991; 70% Volkswagen AG)
*Mlada Boleslav factory
14600 employees
Felica; Felicia Combi, Octavia; engines, components
*Vrchlabi factory
1100 employees
Felicia, Felicia Combi, VW Pick-up; components
*Kvasiny factory
1200 employees
Pick-up, VW Caddy pick-up, Vanplus; components
Slowakian Republic
VW-Bratislava, Volkswagen Bratislava spol. s.r.o.
*Bratislava factory
2030 employees (founded 1991, 100% Volkswagen AG)
Golf, Golf 4motion, Passat/Variant;
gearboxes for VW and Skoda.
Cars/Day: 300
Hungaria
*Audi Hungaria Motor Kft., Györ (Founded 1993; 100% Audi AG)
1600 employees
Audi TT, TTs
5v engines including the V6, engine components
Mexico (non-Europe)
*Puebla factory (VWM)
16500 employees (16000 Mexicans and 500 Germans)
Produce and export to domestic markets; USA, Canada, Central and South America:
Golf CL, GL, Mi, GT, GTi, GTi VR6
Jetta CL, GL, GLX, Carat VR6
Passat B4 yet. (for Mexico only until Sept.)
Cabrio
Jetta/Bora a4
New Beetle
VW Beetle Type 1, Bus Type 2
Independent Assembly Companies in Germany:
Karmann GmbH, Osnabrück
Production under licence of Golf Cabriolet, Golf Variant
Former producer of the Corrado and the Scirocco.
Cars/Day: 500
Westfalia Werke, Rheda-Wiedenbrück
Production under licence of Volkswagen Multivan, California
On average 15000 vehicles are produced every working day by the Volkswagen Group.
The Group currently employs 262817 people worldwide...
Volkswagen Modern Milestones
May 1973
The VW 1500/1600 stopped produktion after some 2440000 models
had been built. The new VW Passat entered production as its successor. This was the first of the new model
generation. The Passat could boast front wheel drive, a four cylinder inline engine and a unitary
steel bodywork. In the Autumn the Passat Variant with four doors and a large tailgate was
launched. In March the millionth Belgian Volkswagen left the production line in Brussels.
July 1974
When the 11916519th Beetle was assembled at the Wolfsburg plant,
its production at the parent plant came to an end.
July 1974
After 30 years of production an era came to an end in Wolfsburg. Production of the Beetle in Wolfsburg
ceased after the 11,916,519th came of the production line. The Beetle was still to be produced in Emden,
Brussels and overseas at a volume of about 3.300 daily.
VW's new Golf model took up smoothly where the Beetle had left off
and became Volkswagen's new success model. The Golf immediate became the best-selling model
produced by the German motor-industry. As of March, Karmann also produced the Scirocco. With this
model Volkswagen offered the customer a sports coupe with a large tailgate and transverse engine.
The initial engines with 50, 70 and 85hp were later followed by a 110hp fuel-injection engine.
With 100.000 Volkswagens the Federal Post Office of Germany became VW's largest single customer.
The new Golf almost immediately became the most popular car in Germany.
1975
Toni Schmücker became Volkswagen chairman.
March 1975
The VW Polo began production, the third model in the new vehicle generation.
August 1976
After only 31 months of production, the millionth Golf came off the production line.
Volkswagen # 15000000 left the Wolfsburg plant.
Nowember 1976
30000000 Volkswagens since the start of production.
February 1977
The VW Derby (Polo notchback) entered procduction.
January 1978
Production of the Beetle in Europe finally came to an end as the last one was produced on January 19th
in Emden. This now stands in the Wolfsburg Auto Museum. The demand for Beetles in Europe was now to
be met by Mexican production. 10,000 Golfs were delivered to the GDR (East Germany).
May 1979
The Golf Cabriolet is presented to the public.
The third Transporter generation was launched with state of-the-art styling and vehicle technology.
On April 3rd the 100,000th VW LT came off the production line in Hannover.
A new model appeared - a truck which resulted from the collaboration between VW and M.A.N.
September 1979
The Golf's sister model, the new VW Jetta, joined the production range.
January 1980
The 330,281st and last Beetle Convertible came off the production line at Karmann in Osnabruck on
January 10th, to be replaced by the new Golf Convertible.
March 1981
Presentation of the Volkswagen Scirocco II. The Hannover plant celebrated it's 25th anniversary on
March 8th. On May 15th the 20-millionth Beetle came off the production line in Mexico.
In the search for alternative fuels 100 Volkswagens running purely on methanol were registered for a large
scale research experiment in Berlin. At the Frankfurt Motor Show the new middle range Santana and the
V Car 2000 were presented.
May 1981
The 20000000th Volkswagen Beetle is celebrated at Volkswagen de Mexico.
Nowember 1981
The 40000000th Volkswagen to be manufactured anywhere in the world left the assembly line.
January 1982
Dr. Carl H. Hahn became the new Chairman of Volkswagenwerk.
Nowember 1982
The 5-millionth Golf left the Wolfsburg factory and was handed over to the Federal Post Office for welfare
purposes. The Post Office remain VW's largest customer. The new Polo Coupe was presented.
The Volkswagen Caddy was presented, a pick-up truck developed on the basis of the Golf, and built by
TAS/Yugoslavia in Sarajevo. An agreement was concluded with the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT on
cooperation, licensing and technical support. These activities led to VW's taking a 51% share in SEAT in
June 1986. The 20000000th Volkswagen (a Golf GTD) produced at Wolfsburg was completed
in Building 12 and left the assembly line as part of a small celebration.
Volkswagen was the world's largest manufactor of diesel-engined vehicles.
June 1983
A completly new assembly building was commissioned when production
switched to the second generation of Golf and Jetta models.
For the first time, automation in Building 54 was used to assemble cars.
"Halle 54" was ultra-modern. 300 different bolting processes are accomplished fully automaticly.
In addition 4000 employees still perform conventional operations in the final assembly stage in Halle 54.
In line with it's sense of social and regional responsibility Volkswagen again trained more people this year
than it actually needed. Volkswagen opended a new research center with 900 m2 of office and laboratory
space and 600 m2 of workshop and testing factilities. Here technically feasible solutions to problems of the
future are developed with the aim of improving the product - the motor vehicle.
February 1984
The new Jetta generation went into production.
VW had entered the electronic age. Pioneering features such as the multifunction instrument (MFA),
electronic injection and ignition systems became standard equipment on the new models.
Juli 1985
The company changed its name from Volkswagenwerk AG to Volkswagen AG,
reflecting its growing international nature.
April 1985
The Volkswagen AG AutoMuseum as opened on Wolfsburg's industrial estate.
The G-charger in the Polo Coupe G40, an optimized supercharger to increase output.
The 16-valve Golf engine, which through it's pulling power and acceleration set new standards in the
compact class. 1.7 billion DM was spent on Research and Development this year.
With a market share of 13% the Golf remained the bestseller in Germany, a position it had held continuously
since it's launch in 1974.
1986
SEAT had been assembling Volkswagens in Spain since 1983 and produced almost 100,000 VW's
since 1985. Volkswagen Motor Sport celebrated it's 20th anniversary in December.
Worldwide investment for 1986 totaled 6,366 million DM, of which 3,849 million DM related to Germany.
By the end of the year the Group's workforce had reached 281,718, a new record.
Volkswagen AG was Europe's largest car manufactor with 1,640,583 Volkswagens and Audis sold to
European customers in 1986.
March 1987
Presentation of the Jetta GT with the 16-valve 139hp engine.
On March 4th the 4-millionth Passat was produced in Emden.
A new production record at Volkswagen: the 50000000th Volkswagen
produced worldwide left the Wolfsburg assembly line in Halle 12. It was a white Golf.
In mid-year an initial agreement was concluded on a joint project with Toyota. This foresaw the production
of a Pick-up in the Hannover factory as of 1989. It is a one-ton payload (Taro).
June 1988
1988 was the 50th anniversary of the Braunschweig factory. The orginal factory for training apprentices and
skilled technicians and engineers is older than the main factory in Wolfsburg.
The 10000000th Golf left the Wolfsburg production plant. The spring saw the launch of the new Passat. The
third Passat generation was a completly new development which set many standards in the middle range of
cars. In the same year as the new Passat appeared the Corrado, a sports coupe produced by Karmann in
Osnabrück with a G60 supercharger giving the 1.8 litre engine a maximum output of 160hp was also
presented. The Scirocco was in production untill 1992.
June 1988
Volkswagen and the town of Wolfsburg celebrated their 50th
anniversary as part of a week of festivities.
July 1989
25 million Volkswagens produced in Wolfsburg: no other car
factory in the world can boast such a record. On June 14th the 250.000th third-generation Passat left the
production line.
May 1990
On May 21th the 3-millionth Trabant left the production line in Mosel near Zwickau. This was the first Trabant
which had a VW-engine. In this factory production of Golf II later started.
Assembly of the first Polo from supplied parts began at the new Sachsenring factory of the IFA-PKWAG.
As of July 850 VW engines were produced daily in Chemnitz. In September the foundation stone for the new
factory of the Sächsische Automobilbau GmbH was laid by Dr. Carl H. Hahn in Mosel.
June 1990
The 5000000th Passat was celebrated in the Emden VW plant.
September 1990
Saw the launch of a new generation Transporter with front-wheel drive and 5-cylinder engines.
October 1990
In October the new Polo was launched. The top model was the Polo Coupe G40 with 115hp output. Up to
this time 2.8 million Polos had been produced in Wolfsburg and Pamplona in Spain.
Nowember 1990
The 12000000th Golf was produced.
On December 9th the Czech government announced it's decision in favor of a partnership between VW and
Skoda. The partnership was signed on December 21st.
March 1991
The presentation of the VR6 engine. The Passat was to be the first model to have it installed.
On March 12th a contract between BAZ and VW was signed by the Deputy Minister President of Slovakia
and Dr. Carl H. Hahn. As of it 1993 it is planed that around 30,000 vehicles will be assembled annually, and
manual gearboxes for VW and Skoda will be produced.
May 1991
The 3000000th Polo since 1975 was completed at the Wolfsburg plant.
August 1991
The Volkswagen Group set a new milestone in car construction:
the 60000000th Volkswagen, a steel-blue Golf CL with 44kW (60hp),
left the assembly line in Building 12, destined for the AutoMuseum.
Also, the 3rd generation of Golf and Vento made their way out of
the factory door, heading for new records.
February 1992
The 13000000th Golf was produced.
June 1992
The 21000000th VW Beetle left the assembly line at the Puebla
plant of VW de Mexico, establishing a new world production record.
January 1993
Dr. techn. h.c Dipl.-Ing. ETH Ferdinand Piech became Chairman of Volkswagen AG.
March 1993
The 14000000th Golf was produced.
October 1993
The new model Golf Variant is introduced on the market.
December 1993
The 65000000th Volkswagen left the assembly line in Wolfsburg.
May 1994
The 15000000th Golf was produced in Wolfsburg.
September 1994
The new Polo is introduced onto the market.
April 1995
The AutoEurop Factory in Portugal, a joint venture between Volkswagen and Ford
is opened. The new MPV Sharan is produced there.
July 1995
The 16000000th Golf left the production line in Wolfsburg.
1996
Golf GTi celebrate it's first 20 year on the market with a special editon
October 1996
A new Passat is introduced on the market. First car in the world with a V5 engine.
July 1997
The new Passat Variant is presented
September 1997
Golf IV (4) is shown for the first time.
Also, the Polo Variant is introduced onto the market. This is a Seat with VW-labels.
Polo Classic and Variant is availble with the 90ps TDI.
1998
The New Beetle (Neue Käfer) is introduced. This retro VW is supposed to give VW a new image.
The Wolfsburg Volkswagen Factory
The Wolfsburg Volkswagen Factory - founded on 26th May 1938 - is the parent plant of the VW
Group. The management is located here, also the administrative centre of the Group and Group's
Research Centre.
The Wolfsburg Volkswagen Factory with an area of 8 square kilometers is the largest interconnected
automobile factory "under one roof" today. About 48000 people work here. 15% or some 7350 of the
labour force are women.
Production in Wolfsburg is going in a two shift system. Morning shift starts at 07.00 a.m and
runs until 1.00 p.m. The late shift lasts from 2.30 p.m. till 8.30 p.m. (28,8-hour-week).
Nearly 4000 vehicles from the Golf, Golf Variant, Polo and Vento are produced each working day at
the Wolfsburg Volkswagen Factory.
Up to 85 per cent of the completed vehicles are sent by train to their destination from the
factory's own loading station. On average 10 trains, each with 200 vehicles, leave the factory
daily. At the same time 12 trains arrive daily bringing materials (such as sheet iron and
assemblies produced in other VW factories) for manufacturing operations in Wolfsburg.
On the other hand, 14 trains leave the Wolfsburg factory daily with supplies of materials and
parts for other factories in the VW Group. The total amount of rail movement sums up to 1000
waggons per day. There are 75 kilometers of railway sidings for shunting at the Wolfsburg plant;
and 10 diesel locomotives with an output of up to 700hp are in operation.
In addition the Wolfsburg Volkswagen Factory has a network of roads, covering 75 km and connecting
individual production installations, stores, administrative buildings and outside installations.
The power stations situated on the factory side provide a maximum of 625 MW.
They not only provide the factory with energy, they also supply the town of Wolfsburg with heat
and electricity.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Visiting Times: Wolfsburg
Tours: For groups on working days from Tuesday to Friday by appointment.
For individuals on working days only in the afternoon.
Admission from 12.45 p.m., start 1.15 p.m.
Duration: Appr two hours.
Please note:
Members of school and youth groups have to be at least 16 years of age.
Children under 16 may visit the factory in the afternoon only, they have to be accompanied by adults.
It is regretted that children under 10 years of age cannot take part in the factory tours.
Booking Telephone: (+049) 0 53 61 92 42 70
Postal adress:
Volkswagen AG
Besucherdienst
D-384 36 Wolfsburg
Germany
Shareholders of Volkswagen AG
- The state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) holds 20% ordinary shares of the nominal capital
of 1,350 billion DM
- The other shares are owned by more than 728,000 individuals worldwide.
The Volkswagen Group (V.A.G)
The Volkswagen Group is the fourth largest car manufactor in the world.
It produces vehicles under the Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda marques, which are
sold in practically all the countries of the world. At the end of 1995 the company
employed 243,000 people worldwide, including 140,000 in Germany.
In 1996 the Volkswagen Group maintained its leading position as the largest vehicle
producer and supplier in Western Europe, a position it has held since 1985.
With 2,143,000 cars it accounts for 16.8% of the vehicle market.
The passenger car model range extends from the compact models of the Seat and Skoda marques
through the Volkswagen models to the deluxe Audi models. Its commerical vehicles range from
small pick-up vehicles though to 22-ton trucks. (M.A.N)
For the year of 1996, Volkswagen AG made some 3.000.000 cars.
Volkswagen Golf milestones.
Golf is the car that always challenge and update itself. The Golf have several times
been first with new technologies and new concepts, lets follow it's history:
* May 1974 The Golf is shown for the first time, in Munich.
*January 1975 The Golf was presented in the USA as the "Rabbit".
* March 1976 Golf # 500.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
* Spetember 1976 debut for the Golf GTi at the IAA in Frankfurt and starts the GTi class with 110hp.
* September 1976 Golf Diesel, the first comfortable and fast cardiesel.
* October 1976 The 1000000th Golf is produced.
* 1977 The VW Golf GLS was awarded the "Gute Form" ("Elegant Design") award sponsored by
the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs. 1997 the new Audi A3 won the same prize.
* June 1978 Golf # 2000.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
July. The Golf is introduced in the USA, named "Rabbit".
* March 1979 the first cabriolet in its class arrives, Golf Cabriolet. First shown in St. Tropetz.
August. A small facelift is made, like new bumpers.
September. Golf # 3000.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
* 1980 Golf modelyear 1981 gets new rearlights and a new dashboard.
* May 1982 we can for the first time take a look at the Golf Caddy. The Caddy is made in Sarajevo.
February. Golf # 5000.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
March. The first Golf with a turbodieselengine (70hp) is launched in Ingolstadt, Germany
August. Golf GTi got a new engine. The 1.8 litre with 112hp.
* August 1983 The second generation Golf arrives, assembled in the new robotfactory "Halle 54"
in Wolfsburg. Like the first Golf, also this one is presentated in Munich.
* Januari 1984 Golf GTi II is presentated with a 1781cc engine, 112hp.
* 1985 Golf # 7000.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
* March 1986 The Golf GTi 16V with 139hp is presented, the first car in its class with 16V.
* April 1986 Debute for Golf Syncro, first car in it's class with 4WD.
90hp and ABS are standard equipment. Presented in Borlänge, Sweden.
* May 1985 On May 30th the 8-millionth Golf left the production line in Wolfsburg.
* February 1987 All sportier Golf's get ABS as standard.
March. The entire Golf family is standard equiped with catalytic converter.
On June 22nd the 9-millionth Golf was produced.
August. A small facelift.
* Januari 1988 The Rallye-Golf G60 arrives with Syncro and a G-Lader engine with 160hp.
* June 1988 10000000th Golf
* June 1989 VW made some 70 Golf G60 with 210hp.
August. A new Golf TD (turbodiesel) engine. 1.6litre, 80hp.
October. Golf # 11000.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
November. Golf TD got catalyic converter.
* Januari 1990 The Wolfsburg plant build the Golf Country, a small SUV.
November. Golf # 12000.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
November. Golf GTi # 1000.000 left the Wolfsburg assemblyline.
* March 1991 Golf production began in the Mosel factory (CKD) near Zwickau in former DDR.
* Nowember 1991 The 3rd generation Golf arrives with a VR6 engine (first in its class) and
a completly new safety concept. The new Golf is very environment friendly. The quality have
made a big steep forward, looking for Audi?. As before, the presentation was made in Munich.
The new VW Golf became "Car of the Year in Europe". The new Golf immediately became
a best-seller in Europe, once again.
* February 1992 Golf # 13000.000 left the assemblyline. One can buy the Golf with airbag.
The Vento is introduced. (Vento=Golf sedan)
* 1993 Golf is availble with 2xAirbags
June. Golf TDi (90hp) is presentated for the press.
A new Golf Cabriolet. The Golf Variant (station-wagon) and Ecomatic (64hp SDI) are presentated!
* 1994 Some TDI (TurboDieselInjection) engines are produced in a small serie. Today it is
one of the most popular engines in Europe. Even the GTi is availble with the 110hp TDI...
May. Golf # 15000.000 left the assemblyline.
* 1996 Golf is standard equiped with ABS, 2x airbags and 2x sideairbags.
The VW Golf VR6 Syncro 190hp is launched into the market.
November. Golf # 17000.000 left the assemblyline
* September 1997 The fourth generation of Golf is introduced at IAA in Frankfurt.
With a V5 engine and a new GTi engine(1.8litre 20V Turbo, 150hp).
August. 17600.000 of Golf's have been made since the start back in 1974.
The Golf IV is excepted to take the Golf over the 22000.000 line.
* March 1998 A new Golf Cabrio. One could think that this new one is based on the plattform
from the new Golf IV, it is'nt! It's a facelifted Golf III Cab. Engines: from a 90hp TDi to the 115hp 2.0litre petrol.
* July 1998 Golf # 18.000.000 is made in Wolfsburg.
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