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Volvo Group sells majority stake in WirelessCar to Volkswagen

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The Volvo Group has signed an agreement to divest 75.1% of the shares in its wholly-owned subsidiary WirelessCar to the Volkswagen Group for SEK 1.1 billion.

WirelessCar provides connected vehicle services and solutions to global producers of passenger cars. Closing of the transaction is expected during the first half of 2019.

“We are committed to remaining the leader within the field of connectivity and connected services. This agreement will enable us to fully focus our resources and efforts on connected solutions for commercial vehicles,” said Jan Gurander, Deputy CEO of the Volvo Group.

[Read more…] about Volvo Group sells majority stake in WirelessCar to Volkswagen

Volkswagen and Microsoft announce strategic digital partnership

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Entering into a strategic partnership, Volkswagen and Microsoft Corp. will collaborate to develop the ‘Volkswagen Automotive Cloud’, one of the largest dedicated automotive industry clouds for all future Volkswagen digital services and mobility offerings.

The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG approved the conclusion of an agreement to this effect between Volkswagen and Microsoft on September 28, 2018.

With Microsoft as its strategic partner, the company is taking a decisive step in its digital transformation into a mobility provider with a fully connected vehicle fleet and the digital ecosystem “Volkswagen We”.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen and Microsoft announce strategic digital partnership

Volkswagen expands production in China

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With the opening of three new FAW-Volkswagen vehicle plants at three locations – in Qingdao, Foshan and Tianjin – as well as the Volkswagen FAW Platform Tianjin Branch component plant, the Volkswagen Group is strengthening its localisation strategy in China.

The second recently-opened vehicle production plant in Foshan is a mega plant in south China. In addition, vehicle and component plants in Tianjin, northern China, were bundled at a single location.

Together with the existing gearbox plant, further synergies will be used there to increase production efficiency. All four new factories significantly increase the flexibility of Volkswagen Group China to react more quickly to customer needs.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen expands production in China

Volkswagen takes first step on road to 3D car production

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Volkswagen will use a new 3D printing process to print design elements such as individualised gear knobs in small production series and is pressing ahead with the development of the technology for mass production.

Volkswagen is using the “HP Metal Jet” process, which it claimed to simplify and speed up metallic 3D printing. The biggest advantage claimed: productivity improves fifty times compared with other 3D printing methods and depending on the component.

Together with printer manufacturer HP and component manufacturer GKN Powder Metallurgy, Volkswagen  presented the new process for the first time at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen takes first step on road to 3D car production

Volkswagen Design focuses on working digitally

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Light-emitting diode screens, interactive design, collaboration in virtual reality: Volkswagen Design is forging ahead with the process of digital transformation and has completely changed its working methods over the past two years.

And with success: from the creation of new products right up to the point of their acceptance, work is now consistently carried out digitally, which significantly increases the efficiency of individual work steps and facilitates collaboration across locations.

The new processes also give employees much more room for personal and professional development.  [Read more…] about Volkswagen Design focuses on working digitally

Volkswagen increases automation in its parts depot

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Volkswagen says it has significantly increased the level of automation in its massive Kassel depot, in Germany.

The company says the upgrade has cost at least $10 million and involved designing its own “ergonomic repackaging stations”.

The vast majority of the depot is automated using conveyors, but new equipment and more digitalization has improved productivity, says Volkswagen.  [Read more…] about Volkswagen increases automation in its parts depot

Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg wins the Automotive Lean Production Award for the first time

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Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany has won the Automotive Lean Production Award for the first time in the automotive giant’s history. 

When assessing lean solutions at more than 50 stations of Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant, the expert jury was impressed by the “rapid pace of change at the plant”.

Volkswagen Wolfsburg will receive the award as the best original equipment manufacturer at this year’s Automotive Lean Congress in Bremen at the beginning of November.  [Read more…] about Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg wins the Automotive Lean Production Award for the first time

Volkswagen Group reorganises components in era of e-mobility

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In future, Volkswagen’s component development and production activities will become an independent corporate entity under the umbrella of Volkswagen AG with effect from January 2019.

For many years, the strengths of Group Components, with 56 plants and about 80,000 employees throughout the world, have included the development and production of strategic vehicle components, from engines, transmissions and electric motors through to steering systems and lightweight parts.

The independent corporate entity “Group Components” is designed to improve efficiency and optimise investments with a view to ensuring a coordinated entry to e-mobility.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen Group reorganises components in era of e-mobility

Volkswagen and Kuka research ways to use robots for future electric and autonomous cars

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Volkswagen’s new concept autonomous and electric car, Sedric
Volkswagen self-driving concept car, which it calls Sedric

The Volkswagen Group is researching ways in which robots can be used in the future when cars become more electrified and computerised as a result of increasing demand for clean and autonomous vehicles. 

The German automaker, which owns the Audi, Bentley, Seat, Porsche and Lamborghini brands among others, is working one of the world’s largest industrial robotics and automation providers, Kuka, to research and develop a number of ideas.

The current area of interest for the strategic partnership between Kuka and Volkswagen is the area of service concepts for vehicles of the future, and the two companies have agreed a contract to jointly develop robot-based innovation concepts for vehicles of the future.  [Read more…] about Volkswagen and Kuka research ways to use robots for future electric and autonomous cars

Volkswagen launches its first autonomous and electric concept car

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Volkswagen’s new concept autonomous and electric car, Sedric
Volkswagen’s new concept autonomous and electric car, Sedric

Volkswagen has unveiled what it says is its first autonomous concept car, describing it as a “comfortable lounge on wheels”. 

The company claims to be the first automobile manufacturer to present an integrated mobility concept for mobility of the future in road traffic, including a concept car developed from scratch for autonomous driving.

Volkswagen says “Sedric”, the name of the new self-driving car, provides an insight into the future of individual mobility that can be used by everyone, but which can be geared to personal needs.

Volkswagen says Sedric highlights the major importance of fully automated driving in the future strategy of the company.  [Read more…] about Volkswagen launches its first autonomous and electric concept car