VW breaks own production record with 6 million units built in 2017

Volkswagen proves just how big of an automotive company it is as it is celebrating a very important milestone on the last day of the year. It is set to roll out its 6 millionth car on Sunday, the 31st of December. Most of the cars that were built this year were familiar nameplates, but of course, new members of the family like the T-Roc, Tiguan Allspace, and Atlas also played an important role as their production numbers have increased significantly as well. It should be mentioned though that for this calculation, the Arteon has been excluded because it is considered as the CC’s successor.

As mentioned earlier, it was the more popular models like the Polo, Golf, Jetta and Passat that took up the majority of the percentage of cars produced this year. Alongside those models, the Santana that is available in several versions in China, had an impact too.

The automaker has a total of about 60 models in their lineup globally, and this will still increase as models like the T-Cross and the Phaeton are currently being developed. Apart from all that, Volkswagen also has plans of expanding their current electric vehicle lineup, so we wouldn’t be surprised if they easily break the 6 million record by next year.

All in all, if VW adds up the total number of cars they have produced since 1945, this number would go up to 150 million cars since the very first Beetle rolled off the production line.

Looking forward, their current portfolio not only will be renewed, but also extended. Having said that, the automaker’s top priority would be to expand their SUV offerings by the end of the decade, where they plan to offer a total of 19 models. That should translate into a 40-percent share of VW’s entire model range.

Following the release of the SUVs, the German automaker’s next plan is to move on to the production of the I.D. concepts that boast zero-emissions. These models include the I.D. hatchback, I.D. Crozz crossover, and I.D. Buzz microbus.

This is the key for the company to achieve their goal of having no less than one million cars without combustion engines on the road, during the middle of the next decade. This means that they have to start moving fast for this to happen on time, considering all the tests they will need to do, as well as the number of cars they plan to launch by then.

PRESS RELEASE

New record: Volkswagen produces six million vehicles throughout the world by year-end

By the end of the year, Volkswagen will produce more than six million vehicles, setting a new record. The largest model offensive to date in the history of the Volkswagen Group's core brand and growing demand from customers across the globe have led to the new record. The Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, Santana, Passat and Polo lead the brand's global production rankings.

Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for Production and Logistics, sees a clear signal: "More than six million vehicles produced in 12 months - there is one thing that this shows above all: our plants and employees are continually improving their production competence. We have top teams in production which successfully master growing demand from customers."

This development is driven by the long-standing best-sellers Jetta, Golf, Santana, Passat and Polo, growing demand for the Tiguan and recently launched products such as the new Polo, Arteon and T-Roc. Overseas models have also contributed to the production record. The Chinese Santana sedan is an especially popular model.

The Volkswagen brand produces vehicles at more than 50 plants in 14 countries. Since series production started with the original Beetle 72 years ago, more than 150 million Volkswagens have rolled off the production lines. The brand's global product portfolio now includes over 60 models.

Within the framework of the TRANSFORM 2025+ strategy for the future, the Volkswagen Group's core brand is stepping up its model offensive. In 2017 alone, Volkswagen launched more than 10 new models throughout the world. Over the next few years, the entire product range is to be renewed and expanded in core segments such as SUVs and e-mobility. In this first phase, especially the brand's presence in the SUV segment is to be boosted. By 2020, the brand will offer 19 SUV models throughout the world and will increase the share of SUVs in the overall model range to 40 percent. In the second phase, from 2020 onwards, the brand is to build up a comprehensive family of full-electric vehicles on the basis of an entirely new electric architecture. The I.D. will be the automobile future of Volkswagen. The family will include the I.D., I.D. Crozz and I.D. Buzz. These three models are part of the initial formation which Volkswagen will be introducing at rapid intervals from 2020 onwards to launch its worldwide electric offensive. In 2025, one million electric Volkswagens are to reach the roads.