Executive Speeches
01 March 2010
Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn
Group Pre-show Event, Geneva Motor Show
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Volkswagen group is sending out a strong signal on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show. With nine of around 70 new models we will be offering customers in 2010.
We are presenting not only fine cars but vehicles that will set trends for the entire industry.
- The Audi A1 proves that "premium" does not always mean "large".
- The Škoda Fabia RS combines sporting performance with efficiency.
- Bentley and Bugatti show that luxury has a future.
- The Amarok from Volkswagen will be entering a further segment in the growing market for light commercial vehicles.
- The Gallardo Superleggera is at the cutting edge of lightweight design and new materials.
- The IBE is a small electric sportscar that demonstrates the full potential of the SEAT brand.
- The hybrid technology of the Porsche 918 Spyder points to the future of supersports cars.
- And the Sharan demonstrates the functionality and design offered by a family car from Volkswagen.
There is only one automaker that can master such variety and cover such a broad spectrum.
On this basis, the multi-brand Volkswagen Group demonstrated its strength in 2009, a very difficult year for the automobile industry:
- with deliveries reaching a record level,
- with significant growth in its global market share,
- and with operating profit of 1.9 billion euros in the midst of the most severe crisis for decades.
Volkswagen and Porsche are growing together step by step. The participation of the Porsche brand in tonight’s event is a clear signal.
There are many cooperation arrangements in the automobile industry, but I believe that there is no partnership with such a clear logical foundation as that between Volkswagen and Suzuki.
The Volkswagen Group has also made a powerful start to 2010. In January, we sold 41 percent more vehicles than in the weak January of 2009.
Our aim is to maintain this positive dynamic. However, we know that 2010 will not be an easy year by any means.
- We expect a strong headwind to continue in Germany and Europe as a whole.
- Especially in China and the USA, we expect a tailwind.
In overall terms, the world market will grow slightly in 2010 again.
And the Volkswagen Group is determined to derive above-average benefit from this development.
We are approaching the next few months with cautious optimism. Especially our vehicles give us reason to be confident.
Here in Geneva, the Volkswagen Group is presenting the youngest, most ecofriendly model range.
The race to succeed with the propulsion technologies of the future is underway. Our Group already has the edge with efficient internal combustion engines, lightweight design, DSG and smart electronics.
And we also intend to reach this position in the field of electro-mobility, too.
- Volkswagen is the automaker who will take the hybrid out of its niche with volume models.
- And Volkswagen will also be the first automaker to launch a mass-produced electric car for everyone.
We have laid the foundations: Over the past few days, we have adopted a new and ambitious plan for the introduction of e-mobility, with clearly defined, fixed milestones.
- In 2010, we will be launching the Touareg Hybrid, our first hybrid production model. You will be able to drive this new vehicle in the next few days.
- Over the next few months, our electric test fleets will go onto the roads of Europe, North America and China.
- In 2011, we plan to add 500 electric Golfs to the test fleet.
- The Jetta Hybrid will appear in 2012, to be followed by hybrid versions of the Passat and Golf in 2013.
2013 will be the key year for our breakthrough with electric vehicles.
- First, the Volkswagen e-up! is to be launched,
- to be followed by the E-Golf a few months later,
- and the E-Jetta at the end of 2013.
The decisive thing about all these vehicles is that they will not only be environmentally compatible, but also affordable, reliable and safe.
This is the only way for the automobile industry to achieve success with zero-emissions mobility.
We are all called upon: automakers, energy companies and politicians.
We can only make the electric car a reality on our roads through our joint efforts.
This means that we need:
- massive support for research,
- targeted incentives for customers, and
- a high-performance infrastructure.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this all goes to show that e-mobility will be at the heart of Volkswagen in the future, too.
And the entire Volkswagen Group is in the fast lane with hybrid and electric vehicles!
At the end of 2010, Audi will also be starting series production of the Q5 Hybrid.
At the end of 2012 the e-tron will be the first electric vehicle to be launched with a small production series.
Here in Geneva, Audi is showing what "Vorsprung durch Technik" means with the A8 Hybrid and the A1 e-tron.
With the Cayenne and the 918 Spyder concept, Porsche is moving rapidly towards hybrid vehicles.
Within the Group, SEAT and Škoda are also working on further solutions for the era of e-mobility. The SEAT IBE, for example is a clear statement, as well as the starting point for a broad-based electro-mobility initiative in Spain.
Efficient internal combustion engines are the basis for responsible mobility in the Volkswagen Group.
Now we are making electro-mobility our second strong cornerstone.
As a multi-brand group with our modular systems, we are uniquely well-positioned to succeed in our efforts. Because we can take alternative drive systems flexibly and economically to all our series and the vehicles of all Group brands.
Against this backdrop, the Volkswagen Group aims to boost the share of electric vehicles in automobile deliveries to three percent by 2018.
This unprecedented electro-mobility program is another key building brick in our Strategy 2018.
By 2018, the Volkswagen Group is to become the number one in the automotive industry, in economic and ecological terms.
On the way to reaching this objective, there are two things we will certainly not do: lose contact with the ground or lose sight of our customers.
- A solid economic position,
- responsible, safe mobility,
- and of course exciting driving, with an internal combustion engine or with an electric motor.
This is what the Volkswagen Group stands for.
