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Today, for the third consecutive year, Volkswagen Group Components awarded the Speed+ Award to its best performing plants. Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, presented the coveted awards from the international and cross-brand competition for efficiency for the first time in an online event. The nominated plants from sites around the world tuned into the live event; thousands of employees followed the announcement of the winners by webcast. The component plants of the Audi, SEAT and ŠKODA brands also took part in the competition for the first time. The Tianjin components plant in China was the big winner this year, scooping three gold awards.

Fierce competition in eight categories.

The award categories – plant efficiency, assembly efficiency, shop floor management, process excellence, cost of tools and networking – were supplemented this year by two further categories, namely lead time and hours per unit (HPU). The new lead time category focuses on process orientation and cross-divisional consideration of the whole value stream. HPU is the key performance indicator for net staffing in production and non-production areas down to assembly line level. The winner in the special networking category was decided for the very first time by online votes submitted by employees. Three plants which had been nominated beforehand were up for election.

Thomas Schmall, CEO at Volkswagen Group Components, said, “In its third year, we have not only added more suspense by incorporating two new categories into the SPEED+ Awards, but have also increased the number of participating plants. The inclusion of more Group brands has added to the sense of competition surrounding the awards. However, the focus continues to be on creating standards that enable us to learn from the best in our company. The company won’t benefit from the best examples if we don’t share them and make them available for all to use.”

Dr Stefan Sommer, Group Board member for Components and Procurement said, “The SPEED+ Awards put the operative performance of our plants under the spotlight and simultaneously promote competition among the participating sites. But it is also about ensuring that our plants remain competitive, and thus viable in the future, in relation to external competitors. This efficiency contest provides our plants with a benchmark and showcases best practices to the entire Group.

High turnout

Now in its third year, the Speed+ Awards presented by Volkswagen Group Components have continued to gain in importance. The number of participants has increased and become even more international. In addition, a further three brands from the Volkswagen Group participated with their component plants in the efficiency contest: Audi, SEAT and ŠKODA. Over 10,000 employees (8,000 last year) from 23 (19) plants in 11 (7) countries competed and learned from one another in a total of eight award categories.

The winners of the SPEED+ Awards presented by Volkswagen Group Components are:

Plant efficiency

1. Tianjin plant, China

2. Braunschweig plant, Germany

3. Dalian plant, China

Assembly efficiency

1. Puebla plant, Mexico

2. Braunschweig plant, Germany

3. São Carlos plant, Brazil

Shopfloor management

1. Braunschweig plant, Germany

2. Kassel plant, Germany

3. SITECH plant in Polkowice, Poland

Process excellence

1. SITECH plant in Wolfsburg, Germany

2. Poznán foundry, Poland

3. Kassel plant, Germany

Cost of tools

1. Tianjin plant, China

2. Dalian plant, China

3. Braunschweig plant, Germany

Lead time

1. Tianjin plant, China

2. SITECH plant in Polkowice, Poland

3. SITECH plant in Wolfsburg, Germany

HPU

1. SITECH plant in Polkowice, Poland

2. Motor Polska Polkowice plant, Poland

3. Poznán foundry, Poland

Networking

Kassel plant, Germany

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The powerhouse in the compact class: in the 1970s, the Golf GTI – now in its eighth generation in 2020 – was a cult car from the word go. We reveal what makes the punchy front of the GTI so special, and how this has developed over the past half century. Marco Pavone, Head of Exterior Design for the Volkswagen Brand, explains the generations and the latest GTI model.

The original GTI hit the scene in 1976, full of confidence, and sporting a black front grille with a red border and a lean design (still at this point). The headlights, protruding from under the bonnet of the lightweight compact car, form the external end points. The first GTI emblem is chrome and intentionally presents a stark contrast with the black Volkswagen logo. “Even with the original GTI, all the design elements already reflect a clear attitude,” says GTI designer Marco Pavone. He and his team were set the demanding challenge of designing the new GTI.

The early Golf 1 GTI can be identified by the narrow bumper. These were replaced in 1978 by broader, plastic-covered bumpers. The compact “car in a sports suit” unleashes a magical 110 PS at 6,100 rpm (and weighing just 800 kilograms).

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Tomorrow, Volkswagen do Brasil will be presenting its most recent model: the Nivus. The new Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) in the small car segment convinces with dynamic design, an ample vehicle interior and an elevated seating position. The virtual world premiere will take place at 4 pm (CEST). The presentation is broadcasted at https://press.live-vwnivus.com/. The event from Sao Paulo will be held in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

The Nivus was developed in South America and will initially be launched on the Brazilian market. The vehicle will also be available in Argentina later this year. Other South American markets will follow in 2021. In the long term the new model will also be launched at an international level and a European version will go on sale as well. Consequently, the Nivus is a Volkswagen that has been developed in South America, yet is also intended for production and sale in other world regions.

In 2020 Volkswagen do Brasil is planning the brand’s largest product campaign in South America with a total of 20 new product launches. The Nivus is developing a new segment on the Brazilian market with an innovative design that combines SUV elements and coupé lines. It is amongst the largest models within the small vehicle segment with a luggage compartment capacity of 415 litres. The vehicle is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB) and will be built at the Anchieta plant (São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil) using cutting-edge production processes.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Agile drive, the running gear of dreams, unmistakeable design, perfect ergonomics, unadulterated driving pleasure – that’s the DNA of a true sports car. At Volkswagen, this is represented by three letters: GTI. The eighth generation of the sporty Golf derivate is now on the way. The new Golf GTI is more digital, networked, more sharply designed and more active in motion than ever before. Its turbocharged engine generates 180 kW (245 PS). The new Vehicle Dynamics Manager intelligently manages the electromechanical running gear systems. Maximum dynamism, maximum comfort – Golf GTI combines both.

Perfect front-wheel drive

The eighth Golf GTI generation reflects front-wheel drive’s new status quo. The new Vehicle Dynamics Manager plays a decisive part here. “This higher-level control system centrally coordinates all electromechanical running gear functions,” explains Karsten Schebsdat, Head of Driving Dynamics, Steering and Control Systems. “Thanks to the combination of new running gear setup plus front-axle locking differential and Vehicle Dynamics Manager we were able to elevate the Golf GTI’s outstanding overall performance to an even higher level. This applies all the more if the DCC running gear featuring a new software application and adjustable dampers is also on board.”

GTI drivers can select their very own setup using the standard driving profile selection feature and the optional adaptive DCC running gear. The sharper driving dynamics properties guarantee an even more accurate driving experience: understeer, a typical characteristic of front-wheel drive vehicles whereby the vehicle’s front wheels tend to lose grip through quick corners, has in effect been eliminated.

Design combines superior, sporty character and functionality

The new design lives up to the tangibly enhanced dynamism. Klaus Bischoff, Head of the Volkswagen Group Design department: “The new Golf GTI boasts a very low, visual centre of gravity which we achieved through the wide air intakes at the front and the striking shoulder line. This superior, sporty character gives aesthetic expression to the vehicle’s potential.”

Standard LED headlights have been arranged low down. These are optionally available as IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights. They form a striking crossbar in conjunction with the radiator grille. The signature, red GTI line towards the top of the bonnet stretches across the front section. For the very first time, the radiator grille can be illuminated by a slim LED strip that extends into the headlight modules’ LED daytime running lights on the left and right – an unmistakable light signature. From the side, standard Richmond 17-inch alloy wheels perfectly match the vehicle’s image. At the rear, a GTI roof spoiler that extends significantly towards the rear boosts the downforce at the rear axle. Down below, the sporty diffuser distinguishes the new edition of this icon from the other versions of the product line with smaller engines. In keeping with the GTI tradition, the new model’s exhaust system has one round tailpipe each on the left and the right.

Digital interior systems meet classic GTI tartan

Back in 1976 Volkswagen already created an unmistakeable interior style in the first ever Golf GTI: this flair has been retained in the new version, with its enhanced digital capabilities and typical GTI details. The Golf GTI no longer features an ignition lock, having been replaced by an Engine Start/Stop button as standard. As a completely new feature, once the doors have been opened, the button pulses red until the GTI engine is started. The three-spoke sports steering wheel of yesteryear has been transformed into a new multifunction leather sports steering wheel with touch controls and an optional Travel Assist button to help the Golf GTI reach a top speed of 210 km/h while Travel Assist is engaged. The three silver spokes have been retained – in the GTI the centre spoke has been upgraded with a red interior. GTI insignia also include the new interpretation of the tartan pattern (Scalepaper) on the sports seats, which are also a new development.

The digital displays start up as soon as the doors are opened. It’s a fusion of the standard Digital Cockpit (new: individually enabled GTI design with rev counter in the centre) and the Infotainment system. Composition, featuring an 8.25-inch screen, is installed in this vehicle as standard while the 10-inch Discover Pro system is available as an optional extra for the most advanced expansion package. Regardless of which Infotainment system is on board the Golf GTI, the visual and functional fusion of systems creates a new and consistent digital architecture. The background lighting, which comes as standard, bathes the displays and many other illuminated interior areas in a spectrum of 30 configurable colours.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com