Executive Speeches
20 March 2009
Remarks at the Volkswagen Group of America Philanthropic Announcement
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dr. Horst Neumann, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen AG for Human Resources and Organization
Dr. Horst Neumann Remarks
Thank you, Frank.
It's good to back in the United States. And it's great to see America at its best here in Tennessee.
Frank is right. I am passionate about education. In fact, our entire company is passionate about education.
It is easy to see why.
Volkswagen is known worldwide as a company focused on quality, precision engineering, innovation and advanced technology.
We are leading the transition to sustainable mobility.
We are working hard to make today's cars more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.
And we are reinventing the car of tomorrow with the goal of a zero-emission vehicle.
We cannot accomplish any of those goals without a well-educated, well-trained, dedicated workforce.
We also benefit by having well-educated consumers.
The more people know about our cars, the more they like them.
Our corporate philosophy demands that it is not enough to merely have an interest in education.
We have an obligation to turn interest into action.
At Volkswagen, we believe our company should be an integral part of every community where we have a significant presence.
We are employers, but we are also neighbors.
And we intend to be good neighbors.
That means pitching in and doing our part to make life better for the entire community.
To use an American expression, we have to put our money where our mouth is. And not just our money.
We also need to donate our time and our expertise to worthy projects.
So how do we turn interest into action when it comes to education?
The answer is obvious: If we're going to create first-rate minds, we have to create first-rate schools.
And we have to do it everywhere we can.
As a global company, we are partnered with schools and universities all over the world.
In fact, here in Tennessee we are already partnered with Chattanooga State Community College for our workforce training programs.
Today, we will launch new partnerships in Tennessee.
We are committing an additional $5 million over the next five years to help Tennessee students live up to their potential and fulfill their dreams.
We are happy to be able to give something back to this community and this state.
We work here, we live here, and we intend to give here.
I am excited about this new initiative, and I am sure you would like to hear more about it.
For that, I would like to turn it back to Frank Fischer.