Markets

The Volkswagen Group is active on five continents with a large number of national and regional markets, some of which are highly diverse. In view of the problems of climate change and rising fuel prices, fuel saving is a key topic for all these markets. Our new petrol and diesel engines, which are even more efficient, have laid form foundations for further improvements in our position in these very different markets. Different mentalities, mobility expectations and infrastructure conditions have considerable impact on the sales prospects of present and future models. Regional economic and political factors call for adapted management, marketing and development strategies. In adjusting to these differences, one of our key corporate values, our proven tradition of customer nearness, comes to the fore.

Learning from customers
Customers’ interests play a key role in the action of Volkswagen Group managers and employees. Benefits for customers are always a major factor in our assessments of corporate activities. An intensive process of customer dialogue is crucial to our success and the development of long-term customer relations.

Through dialogue, employees and managers become thoroughly conversant with customers’ motives and requirements as well as their attitudes to our products and individual features. Our analyses of market structures and customers also explore the context of customer behaviour.

The constant high quality levels of our products are one of the cornerstones of successful customer relations. Our quality policy covers all corporate processes, assigning responsibility to suppliers and ensuring quality improvements throughout the Group.

Customers expect automobiles to be safe, as an essential requirement. We therefore continuously optimise the safety of our vehicles. Our safety efforts focus on accident prevention, mitigating the consequences of accidents and the integration of safety systems. The accident research activities of Volkswagen Group brands lay the foundations for the safety technologies of the future.