“On the move” – that was the motto from the Volkswagen at the 66th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main when the Volkswagen Group debuted its new models. CEO Martin Winterkorn gave a clear commitment to electro-mobility: the Group will be launching 20 more electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2020.
Presentations centered on the Volkswagen Tiguan, Germany’s best-selling SUV. The R-Line and 4Motion versions of the new Tiguan with its characteristic dynamic front section were driven onto the stage. Everything about the second-generation Tiguan is different. “We have completely reinvented our bestseller and taken it to a new optical and technical level,” Heinz-Jakob Neußer, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand with responsibility for Development, underscored.
Then the Tiguan GTE concept with plug-in hybrid made its appearance. And Herbert Diess made his debut as the Chairman of the Volkswagen brand Board of Management. He emphasized the significance of the Tiguan with its plug-in hybrid drive as a ground-breaking achievement for the future: “At Volkswagen, we believe in electro-mobility. It is a central element of future mobility and a key for the brand’s long-term success.”
CEO Martin Winterkorn picked up this idea in his speech, underscoring that Volkswagen would be systematically continuing with its electric offensive. The Group already has the broadest electric fleet in the automobile world. Winterkorn announced that “we will be launching 20 more electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2020 – from compact cars to the next Phaeton and Audi A8.”
Highly-efficient diesel and gasoline engines, alternative powertrains, connectivity, automated driving, big data, car sharing, prudent automation solutions in the “Factory 4.0”, data labs and the major global digitization initiative in Sales work on so many and such promising themes symbolized the sense at Volkswagen that a new era is dawning. The “Future Tracks” innovation and efficiency program was already paying off with the first tangible results being showcased at the IAA in Frankfurt and as Winterkorn commented, that was just the beginning.
He added that Volkswagen was also at the forefront when it came to the future-oriented field of digitization: “Our Group already has the largest connected vehicle fleet on the road.” Winterkorn is certain that “we are taking the precision, enduring value and quality of our cars into the new, digital world.” And he believes that “mobility in all shapes and sizes remains our unique domain and our passion in the digital era, too.”
