Volkswagen launches bold offensive for age of electric mobility

Wolfsburg/Frankfurt am Main (ots) -

- Group sets sights on market leadership in electric mobility by
2018
- Multi-billion investment in new technologies, 70,000 employees
trained
- Initially choice of 14 electric and hybrid models by 2014
- Winterkorn: "We are starting at exactly the right time"

The Volkswagen Group has set its sights on global market
leadership in electric mobility. "We are starting at exactly the
right time. We are electrifying all vehicle classes, and therefore
have everything we need to make the Volkswagen Group the top
automaker in all respects, including electric mobility, by 2018",
Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft,
said on the eve of the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt am
Main.

Winterkorn is convinced that Volkswagen is strongly positioned:
"We have the most comprehensive approach to tomorrow's mobility. From
highly-efficient, eco-friendly diesel, gasoline and natural gas-
fuelled engines to classical hybrids, purely battery-driven vehicles
and plug-in hybrids - no other automaker can match the broad range we
have to offer." The company wants to win new customers with electric
vehicles that are technically mature, practical in everyday use, safe
and affordable, and is showcasing models such as the all- electric
e-up! and e-Golf as well as the Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid and the
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, also a plug-in model, at the auto
industry's leading motor show.

According to Winterkorn: "The electric car cannot be a compromise
on wheels, it must convince customers in every respect." He said that
environmental compatibility and sustainability were increasingly
becoming the main purchasing criterion: "From the zero-emission city
car, through the plug-in hybrid all-rounder to the three-liter sports
saloon: It is our customers who decide for themselves just how much
e-mobility they want." He went on to say that electric- drive
vehicles were a key building block for achieving the ambitious
climate protection targets, and that the plug-in hybrid had the
greatest market potential.

Initially, a total of 14 models from several Group brands will be
available with electric or hybrid drive technology by 2014. If there
is sufficient demand, up to 40 new models could be fitted with
alternative drivetrains. Winterkorn underscored that Volkswagen had
placed electric mobility "at the center of the Group": "We have
developed the know-how for electric motors and battery systems at our
own components plants, we have recruited 400 top experts for electric
traction and qualified almost 70,000 development, production and
service employees in this new technology - the biggest
electrification training program in our industry."

The Volkswagen Group invests over seven billion euros in research
and development each year. A significant share is spent on developing
technologies and components for electric mobility - more than in any
other field.

The key to rolling out electric mobility swiftly and efficiently
across all brands and vehicle classes is the modular toolkit systems
which from the start have been designed for assembling electric
drives. Production in Bratislava, Puebla, Wolfsburg, Leipzig or
Ingolstadt can now respond flexibly and at low risk to demand as it
arises and can reduce both weight and costs through the use of proven
components.

According to Winterkorn, anyone who genuinely takes ecological
responsibility seriously goes one step further: "We must have a
holistic mindset and a comprehensive approach to mobility - from
generating energy through development, production, retail and vehicle
operation right down to recycling. Our clear goal, therefore, is to
lead with holistic, modern mobility concepts."

In Europe, Volkswagen Group brands currently offer 420 model
variants with maximum CO2 emissions of 130 grams per kilometer, 302
models emitting a maximum of 120 g/km, 50 models emitting up to 100
g/km and 23 models emitting 95 g/km or less. The Volkswagen XL1 plug-
in hybrid has the lowest emissions. The world's most efficient series
production vehicle has CO2 emissions of 21 g/km, consumes 0.9 liters
of fuel and has a range of 500 kilometers, making it the company's
technological spearhead.

Contact:
Volkswagen Group Communications
Head of Business & Corporate Communications
Michael Brendel
Phone: +49 (0) 5361 / 9-39356
Fax: +49 (0) 5361 / 9-74629
E-mail: michael.brendel@volkswagen.de
www.volkswagen-media-services.com
www.volkswagenag.com

Volkswagen Group Communications
Spokesperson Environment and Sustainability
Stefan Ernst
Phone: +49 (0) 5361 / 9-86267
Fax: +49 (0) 5361 / 9-74629
E-mail: stefan.ernst1@volkswagen.de
www.volkswagen-media-services.com
www.volkswagenag.com