News
This is an overview of articles and relevant publications of the Group, its brands and business units.
Audi to display strategic vision and electrified portfolio at Auto China 2024
Ahead of Auto China 2024 in Beijing, Audi is poised to showcase its strategy and all-electric portfolio for the world’s largest automotive market. With them, the brand with the four rings is strengthening the foundation for continued success in the country. Highlights at the booth include the world premiere of the Audi Q6L e-tron, set to be produced at the new Audi FAW NEV Company factory in Changchun. At Volkswagen’s Group Night and at an Audi press conference on opening day, Audi will also outline its further roadmap for the electric transformation of its offering in China.
Smart vehicles at ‘China speed’: Volkswagen develops high-performance E/E architecture for electric vehicles in China with XPENG
The Volkswagen Group is stepping up the pace of innovation ‘in China, for China’ and systematically driving forward the digitalisation of its model portfolio. Together with XPENG, Volkswagen is introducing the China Electrical Architecture (CEA), a zonal Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture. Jointly developed by experts from XPENG, Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) and CARIAD China, the CEA will ensure the rapid expansion of digital services in the Volkswagen brand’s China-specific vehicles. Advanced features such as autonomous driving can be seamlessly integrated and continuously updated and extended 'over the air' (‘OTA’). At the same time, thanks to the zonal structure, the number of electronic control units in previous systems can be reduced by up to 30 per cent. As a result, the zonal E/E architecture will be cost competitive with local offerings. The new digital network is envisaged to be used in locally produced VW brand electric vehicles from 2026. The move will strengthen Volkswagen’s ‘electric offensive’ and mark the latest decisive step as one of the industry leaders in the age of intelligent connected vehicles (ICV).
40 years of Volkswagen in China: Group accelerates its realignment with 'In China, for China' strategy
The Volkswagen Group has been a pioneer for individual mobility in China for 40 years. Today, Volkswagen's network in China features 39 plants, 90,000 employees and around 50 million customers who drive a Group brand vehicle. Together with its Joint Venture partners, Volkswagen is an integral part of China's industrial ecosystem and has created strong foundations. With its rapid transformation towards fully connected electric mobility, the Group is consistently realigning its activities in the region. Through the consistent implementation of its 'In China, for China' strategy, Volkswagen is driving forward the localisation of development and aligning its products with changing customer needs. In the latest strategic milestone, Volkswagen is further expanding its production and innovation hub in Hefei, Anhui Province, with investments totaling 2.5 billion EUR. In addition to the expansion of R&D capacity, preparations are also being made for the production of two Volkswagen brand models, which are currently being developed together with Chinese partner XPENG. Production of the first model, an SUV in the mid-size segment, will begin as early as 2026.
After a solid fiscal year 2023: Audi strengthens and expands its product portfolio
The Audi Group has achieved a solid result in the 2023 fiscal year under challenging economic conditions. Revenue rose by 13.1 percent to €69.9 billion, the operating profit was €6.3 billion, and the operating margin was 9.0 percent. Net cash flow was nearly on par with the previous year at €4.7 billion. With numerous new models, Audi will significantly strengthen and expand its product portfolio in the coming years: The world premiere of the fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron, the first model on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE), heralds a series of product launches. More than 20 new models are planned for 2024 and 2025.
Experience Vorsprung durch Technik: the new Audi Q6 e-tron
The Audi Q6 e-tron is the first production model on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), marking the next step in the company's transformation into a provider of premium electric mobility. With its characteristics, the electric SUV stands for Vorsprung durch Technik. The model is defined not only by impressive driving and charging performance, but also by increased efficiency and long range. The Audi Q6 e-tron embodies typical Audi SUV styling with a further refined e-tron design language. The new design philosophy in the interior and pioneering technologies debuting in the new model, begin the next chapter in electric mobility for the Four Rings and make Vorsprung durch Technik a tangible experience every day. With the Q6 e-tron range, e-mobility is coming from the Ingolstadt plant for the first time. The Audi Q6 e-tron quattro and SQ6 e-tron will be available to order from March 2024 at a price of 74.700 and 93.800 euros and will be delivered to customers in the third quarter of 2024.
Brand Group Core improves result and return in 2023 – closer cooperation between the volume brands is gaining traction
The Brand Group Core delivered robust financial results in 2023. Higher volume and price effects, improved availability of parts and lower fixed costs had a positive effect, while higher product costs and the deconsolidation of Volkswagen Group Rus had a negative impact on the result. The global market and competitive environment remains challenging. The Brand Group Core is working on further stabilizing its performance with a view to improving its resilience against external factors, in particular given the slower development of the e-mobility market in Europe.
Porsche AG enters its biggest year of product launches in a strong position
Ready for next EV push: Volkswagen enters into agreement with XPENG for fast joint development of two smart e-cars
Volkswagen Group is consistently driving its e-offensive in China for China. Volkswagen and XPENG have entered into a Master Agreement on platform and software collaboration, marking a significant milestone in their strategic partnership. In December 2023, Volkswagen completed the acquisition of shares amounting to around 4.99 per cent of the total issued and outstanding share capital of XPENG, at that time following the announcement of the partnership in July. The Master Agreement centres on the initial joint development of two mid-size Volkswagen brand vehicles, which will launch first with a SUV. This will enable the VW brand to expand its existing portfolio quickly, to reach new target customer groups in the fast-growing EV market in China. The two jointly developed e-models will be equipped with state-of-the-art software and hardware, offering Chinese customers an intuitive, connected digital experience and advanced automated driving functions. All parties are contributing their respective core competences to the joint development work.
Macan sets new standards: the first all-electric SUV from Porsche
Porsche is launching its second all-electric model: the new Macan with powertrains of up to 470 kW (639 PS) delivers E-Performance on any terrain and a high level of day-to-day usability. Sports car-like performance figures are matched by high-performance fast charging at up to 270 kW and up to 613 km of range in WLTP.
World premiere to mark the 50th anniversary: the new Golf is more attractive, intelligent and efficient than ever before
The Golf is celebrating its 50th birthday this year – and Volkswagen is launching an enhanced version of its bestseller to mark the anniversary. Customers will be able to order the new model in just a few weeks. The new Golf impresses with a next-generation infotainment system, a more intuitive operating concept, a sharper front and rear end design as well as efficient drive systems. These include plug-in hybrid drives with an increased all-electric range of about 100 kilometres. In addition, an illuminated Volkswagen logo adorns the front for the first time on a Golf.
