#Strategy

Auto Shanghai took place from April 23 to May 2, 2025. On April 22, the eve of Auto Shanghai 2025, the Volkswagen Group’s strong brands showcased their innovative strength at the Volkswagen Group Night with the next generation of intelligent, fully connected vehicles (ICV).

The Volkswagen Group is systematically expanding its local technology competence in China as part of its ongoing commitment to the “In China, for China” strategy. At Auto Shanghai, Volkswagen will debut its first proprietary AI-powered, highly automated driving system. Specially developed for China's complex traffic environments, the system is self-learning and engineered for both seamless and extremely safe driving experiences. Through an efficient System-on-Chip (SoC) with high computing power, it enables smooth, rapid responses to a wide range of driving scenarios. The group will present a Volkswagen-brand model with this technology in China before the end of this year. Starting next year, it will also be integrated into models based on the China-specific Compact Main Platform (CMP), marking it accessible to price-sensitive compact segment customers.

The “In China, for China” strategy of the Volkswagen brand is taking on visible form: At this year’s Auto Shanghai (April 23 to May 2), one of the world’s most important motor shows, VW’s three Chinese joint ventures will present electric concept cars. The spotlight is on an electric notchback model from FAW-Volkswagen, an electric SUV in the B segment with extended range due to range-extender technology (EREV) from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN as well as an all-electric SUV from Volkswagen Anhui. All three concept cars embody Volkswagen’s new China DNA – both in terms of technology and design and in relation to development time, which has been cut by more than 30 percent.

On April 09, 2025, the Volkswagen Group published the deliveries for January to March 2025.

The Volkswagen brand is putting its global future plan into action. With an investment of 580 million USD in Argentina, the brand is paving the way for the next generation of mid-size pick-up truck as a successor to the Amarok. The new model will be produced at the Pacheco plant in Argentina from 2027. It is being developed specifically for the South American market and will strengthen the strategically important pick up segment in this region. The brand’s goal is to be the global technology leader among volume manufacturers by 2030. A key component of this will be expanding the brand’s position in regional markets and developing market-specific product solutions.

The TRATON GROUP, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, and Applied Intuition, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based vehicle software supplier, today announced a strategic partnership to deploy industry-leading vehicle software platforms for all TRATON brands — Scania, MAN, International and Volkswagen Truck & Bus. The goal of the partnership is to accelerate TRATON’s technological leadership and enable the company to deliver full software-defined vehicle (SDV) capabilities. Applied Intuition will provide AI-powered software products for vehicles globally, leveraging its software expertise and TRATON’s experience in industrializing software-driven commercial vehicles at scale.

A planned change has been effected among the employee representatives on the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG. The Chair of IG Metall, Christiane Benner, is taking over from her predecessor Jörg Hofmann and will thus also assume the role of Deputy to the Chair of the Supervisory Board, Hans Dieter Pötsch. At the same time, she will also replace Hofmann on the Executive Committee.

On March 11, 2025, the Volkswagen Group will publish the Full Year Results 2024.

On January 14, 2025, the Volkswagen Group published the deliveries for October to December 2024.

PowerCo SE, Volkswagen Group’s battery company, and Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (TSX: PMET | ASX: PMT | OTCQX: PMETF | FSE: R9GA) today announced they have entered into a strategic partnership. This is the first investment for PowerCo and Volkswagen in the lithium supply chain, underlining PowerCo’s ambition to execute on its vertical integration strategy – from mine to battery. The partnership ensures the long-term supply of lithium raw materials through a binding offtake commitment. Additionally, the companies will jointly explore further strategic opportunities such as a downstream lithium supply chain with a focus on cost competitiveness, high ESG standards and long-term security.

The Volkswagen Group, headquartered in Wolfsburg, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automobiles and commercial vehicles and the largest carmaker in Europe. With our brands, business units and financial services, we are shaping the zero-emission and autonomous future of mobility. From the company profile and corporate principles to the history - here you will find the most important information about the Volkswagen Group.

Today, the Volkswagen Group has informed its retail partners in selected European markets that it will initiate a joint review of its sales model. While the ‘Direct to Customer’ approach with a Full Agency remains the long-term ambition, changing framework conditions might require changes in the short- to mid-term to ensure the best possible customer experience. Due to the slower transition to electric mobility across the industry, two sales models for private customers would need to be operated in parallel longer than originally anticipated: The Agency model for all-electric vehicles (BEVs) and the indirect sales model for vehicles with other drivetrains. Maintaining this high level of complexity for an extended period of time would be a key challenge for the sales organization. Therefore, a joint review process with the wholesale and retail organizations will start immediately to determine whether returning to an indirect sales model for BEVs might be a favourable alternative for the short- to mid-term. Results of this process are expected around the end of Q1 2025.

The Volkswagen Group is consistently advancing its “In China, for China” strategy. The company is strengthening its successful 40-year partnership with SAIC Motor for the long term. In Shanghai, both companies signed an extension of their joint venture agreement until the year 2040. By extending the agreement, the partners are creating early planning security beyond 2030 in a very dynamic development phase of the Chinese automotive market. At the same time, Volkswagen and SAIC are accelerating the transformation of their joint venture company, SAIC VOLKSWAGEN, in the areas of product portfolio, production, and decarbonization. The shared goal of the partners is to achieve a leading market position for SAIC VOLKSWAGEN with the Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Audi brands in the era of intelligent, fully connected electric vehicles.

The Volkswagen Group appoints Kjell Gruner as CEO of Volkswagen Group of America effective December 12. Gruner succeeds Pablo Di Si, who has stepped down from his position last week on his own request. Until Kjell Gruner takes office, Gerrit Spengler, CHRO of Volkswagen Group of America, will perform the function of interim CEO.