#Innovation

The battery is at the heart of electric mobility: It affects range, charging speed, safety, service life and the cost of an electric car.

The car of the future is digitally connected, intelligent and safer than ever before. The Volkswagen Group is promoting the software-defined vehicle. This means powerful, scalable electronic architectures and software for digitally high-performance vehicles – across all segments.

Automotive innovations now have a major impact on vehicle functions and the driving experience. Car-related technology is advancing rapidly. To shape the mobility of tomorrow, the Volkswagen Group is developing solutions in areas such as electric mobility, battery technology, software, artificial intelligence and automated driving. Our automotive innovations include new vehicle and drivetrain technologies as well as digital solutions across the entire value chain.

With its clear commitment, “For Europe,” the Volkswagen Group is underlining its role as a driving force for Europe’s future and competitiveness ahead of the upcoming Paris Motor Show. European industry is facing intense competitive and transformational pressures. The Volkswagen Group is embracing this change with attractive products and future-oriented technologies. At the heart of this commitment are strong European value chains and sustainable jobs, as well as customer-relevant key technologies, ranging from the further expansion of electric mobility and battery technology to software and artificial intelligence, and innovative energy systems. The largest transformation program in the company’s history aims to strengthen competitive structures, thereby laying the foundation for a strong industrial future in Europe. “For Europe” provides impetus for close collaboration between business and politics in Europe. Together, the challenges facing companies and nations amid geopolitical crises and rapidly intensifying global competition shall be tackled decisively in order to strengthen Europe as a business location in the long term. On October 11, one day before the opening of the Paris Motor Show, the Volkswagen Group invited high-ranking representatives from the media, industry associations, and politics to engage in a dialogue with the company’s top managers as part of “For Europe.” Starting October 12, the Group’s brands - Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Škoda, CUPRA, and Audi - will present their latest model innovations during press conferences at their booths at the Paris Motor Show.

Bosch and CARIAD have completed the joint development of assisted and automated driving functions within the Automated Driving Alliance. Together, the project partners have created an artificial intelligence (AI)-based software stack that can be integrated into various vehicle classes, from compact cars to premium models, as well as into both electric and combustion-engine platforms. The solution is available to both partners for deployment in series-production vehicle projects and for further individual development. The Volkswagen ID.EVERY1, for example, will enter series production in 2027 with technology developed as part of the Automated Driving Alliance.

Under the motto “WE CIRCLE”, the Volkswagen Group gathered around 130 key suppliers at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg to align on strategic priorities and the path forward. The exchange emphasized shared responsibility, trust, and continuous learning across companies, brands, and regions. The Group Award ceremony concluded the full-day dialogue on collaboration and future priorities across the value chain. Eleven suppliers were honoured for outstanding performance, recognizing the contribution of the supply base to the Group’s transformation.

Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume and CARIAD CEO Peter Bosch, together with the President of the German Bundestag Julia Klöckner, the President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Hildegard Müller, and the President of the digital association Bitkom Ralf Wintergerst, today jointly opened the CARIAD Automotive Software Campus in Berlin.

Committed, motivated, and ready to play a key role in shaping the future of the Volkswagen Group, its brands, and its regions. With this year’s Best Apprentice Award, the company honored 50 apprentices from 17 countries. The awards ceremony took place on Thursday at the Hafen 1 event venue in Wolfsburg. Among those present to recognize the achievements of the young talent were Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume, Chairwoman of the General and Group Works Council Daniela Cavallo, and Volkswagen Chief Human Resources Officer Arne Meiswinkel.

The SEAT & CUPRA plant in Martorell starts production of the CUPRA Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo, leading a new era for mobility as it is ready to electrify Europe from Spain.

Volkswagen Group and Technische Universität (TU) Braunschweig are establishing a new professorship for “AI Methods in Product Development”. The goal of the partnership is to further expand top level research in the mobility sector and accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge into industrial practice.

The GTI for a new era: 50 years after the debut of the first GTI, Volkswagen is now presenting the first all-electric model with the world-famous badge – the completely newly developed ID. Polo GTI with an output of 166 kW (226 PS). It is a powerful and highly agile compact sports car that passes the 100 km/h mark from a standstill in 6.8 seconds – but at the same time is suitable for everyday driving. Like with the first GTI in 1976, the drive power of the new ID. Polo GTI is also transferred to the wheels via the front axle – a maximum of 290 Newton-metres that is available at lightning speed. This power is perfectly proportioned thanks to the electronically controlled front differential lock equipped as standard. The world premiere of the ID. Polo GTI took place today, Friday, at the 24h race at the Nürburgring. Pre-sales are scheduled to start in Germany this autumn at a price of just under 39,000 euros.

Volkswagen, together with Elli, the energy and mobility brand of the Volkswagen Group, is preparing the market launch of a fully integrated Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) offer for private customers in Germany. From the fourth quarter of 2026, Volkswagen customers can not only just charge their electric vehicles, but also actively integrate them into the energy system and generate additional revenue. Pre-registration for the offer will be available from June 2026, with further European countries to follow. With this initiative, Volkswagen is consistently advancing its existing home charging and energy ecosystem. Vehicle-to-Grid is not a standalone product, but the next step in the development of a comprehensive energy offer centered around electric vehicles.

On April 13, 2026, the Volkswagen Group published the deliveries for January to March 2026.

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG delivered a total of 60,991 vehicles to customers worldwide in the first quarter of the year (previous year: 71,470), representing a decline of 15 per cent. Key reasons include the end of production of the combustion-engined 718 model, the strong ramp‑up phase of the all‑electric Macan in the same period of the year before, and the discontinuation of tax incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles in the United States.