Chronicle 2006
JANUARY
JANUARY 5, 2006
Cooperation with DaimlerChrysler agreed
Together with the Chrysler Group (which is part of the Daimler-Chrysler Group), Volkswagen will develop and manufacture a new van for the US market. The vehicle will be sold in the USA under the Volkswagen brand.
JANUARY 19, 2006
The Passat is “Germany’s Favorite Car 2006”
Presentation of the “Gelber Engel“(“Golden Angel”) in Munich: ADAC readers and visitors at the International Motor Show (IAA) voted the Volkswagen Passat their favorite car.
JANUARY 23, 2006
Volkswagen creates new structures to combat corruption
Volkswagen launches an ombudsman system with the aim of combating corruption Group-wide and promoting transparency in our corporate culture.
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY 3, 2006
Volkswagen Financial Services AG coordinates financial service activities worldwide
Volkswagen Financial Services AG, which was previously responsible for the Europe and Asia-Pacific regions, now coordinates the Volkswagen Group’s global financial services activities.
MARCH
MARCH 2 – 12, 2006
International Motor Show, Geneva
Volkswagen presents the Polo BlueMotion – the first series-produced model with the new seal of quality, which will in future denote the most fuel-efficient version of every Volkswagen series. In addition, Volkswagen unveils the Concept A study with the first TSI natural gas engine. At the same time, Škoda presents the world premiere of the new Roomster.
MARCH 7, 2006
Volkswagen – a founding member of “Alliance for Synthetic Fuels in Europe”(ASFE)
Volkswagen and other automobile manufacturers form an alliance with fuel producers, to promote the development of synthetic fuels in Europe.
MARCH 15, 2006
Volkswagen sells Europcar
Volkswagen AG’s Supervisory Board approves the sale of the whollyowned Europcar subsidiary to the French investment group Eurazeo. The company has been managed by Eurazeo since June 1, 2006.
APRIL
APRIL 6, 2006
World premiere of the new Audi TT Coupé in Berlin
Audi presents its TT Coupé to the public for the first time with the unveiling of a stone sculpture of the new model.
APRIL 7, 2006
“Flotten-Award 2006”: Nine gold medals for Volkswagen
Volkswagen Group is the most successful vehicle manufacturer at the “Flotten-Award 2006” (“Fleet Award 2006”), with nine first places in the small car, medium car, luxury car and compact delivery van categories, amongst others. Around 4,500 readers took part in the survey in the “Autoflotte” trade journal.
APRIL 27, 2006
Production anniversary in Emden
Volkswagen in Emden manufactures the 14 millionth Passat worldwide. The Passat is one of the most popular midsized cars and is currently the most successful model of its class in Germany.
MAY
MAY 2, 2006
Eos launched in Europe
After more than one million VW cabriolets in the Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Golf and New Beetle series,Volkswagen launches the new Eos. This four-seater is the world’s first production vehicle to have a fivepiece convertible, sun and coupé roof (CSC roof).
MAY 29, 2006
Contracts for Volkswagen plant in Russia signed
The contracts are signed after the Supervisory Board approved the proposed construction of a factory in the Russian town of Kaluga, around 160 kilometers southwest of Moscow, on April 20, 2006.
JUNE
JUNE 2, 2006
Volkswagen receives European environmental award
The European Commission commends the Volkswagen Group for its end-of-life vehicle recycling technology, which is particularly environmentally- and resource-friendly.
JUNE 18, 2006
TDI power provides a Le Mans victory for Audi
The new Audi R10 TDI is the first diesel-engine vehicle ever to win the world’s most grueling motor race.
JULY
JULY 13, 2006
Volkswagen joins Clean Energy Partnership
Eleven companies and 17 hydrogen passenger cars are involved in the project for emissionfree mobility. The goal is to test hydrogen as a fuel suitable for daily use and its systems compatibility.
JULY 20 – 30, 2006
British International Motor Show, London
SEAT presents the new SEAT Leon Cupra.
JULY 24, 2006
Volkswagen lays the foundations for innovative organization of work practices and processes
The Board of Management and the Central Works Council signs the “Volkswagen Way” works agreement, approving far-reaching changes in workflows and processes as well as in cooperation between divisions.
AUGUST
AUGUST 15, 2006
Touareg is the first turbo diesel SUV with a particulate filter on the US market
The Touareg V10 TDI sets new standards in the USA in terms of drive technology, thus driving forward the trend towards diesel.
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
Volkswagen number one in J.D. Power environmental study
Volkswagen was named the most environmentally friendly automobile manufacturer in the research institute’s “Alternative Powertrain Study”, conducted for the first time in the USA. The Volkswagen models’ low fuel consumption and emissions levels were the winning factors.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
New collective bargaining agreement
Volkswagen AG and IG Metall agree on the key points for improving the competitiveness of the six traditional plants in Germany during collective bargaining negotiations.
SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 15, 2006
Mondial de l’Automobile, Paris
Along with the IROC study, the highlights of the Volkswagen Group’s presence at the show were the world premieres of the CrossGolf, the new Touareg and the new Touran, as well as the Audi R8 and the SEAT Altea XL.
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 3, 2006
Volkswagen announces strategic interest in MAN Aktiengesellschaft
The investment secures the Company’s long-term interest in the commercial vehicles business, and allows it to maximize synergy effects by leveraging jointly developed solutions.
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 8, 2006
New Eos wins “Goldenes Lenkrad 2006” (“Golden Steering Wheel 2006”)
The Cabriolet-Coupé outstrips its eleven competitors in the “convertibles”class.
NOVEMBER 29, 2006
Agreement for Volkswagen plant in India signed
The agreement is signed after the Supervisory Board approved the construction of a production facility in Pune, Maharashtra, on November 17, 2006.
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 1–10, 2006
Los Angeles Motor Show, Los Angeles
The world premieres of the Volkswagen Concept Tiguan, the Audi TT Roadster and the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 are among the highlights of the motor show.
DECEMBER 1–10, 2006
Essen Motor Show, Essen.
Volkswagen unveils the R36, the most powerful Passat of all time, to the global public.
DECEMBER 3 –17, 2006
Bologna Motorshow, Bologna.
Volkswagen presents another member of the “Cross” family, the CrossTouran.
DECEMBER 31, 2006
Autostadt achieves delivery record
The customer center in the Autostadt in Wolfsburg records its best result since its opening in June 2000, with 170,000 vehicle deliveries.