Wolfsburg, 2006-09-01
Volkswagen as a Prime Investment
Volkswagen AG has been classed as a particularly sustainable company by Oekom Research AG.
In its just published “Corporate Responsibility Rating”, Oekom Research AG has evaluated the activities of the 17 biggest car manufacturers quoted on stock exchanges. Because of its convincing sustainability performance, Volkswagen was awarded the investment status of “Prime”, with an overall mark of B-. This means that Oekom recommends interested customers invest in Volkswagen. The rating scale for the social and ecological performance ranges from A+ (best mark) to D- (worst mark). Currently, Oekom’s analyses are incorporated in over 45 funds, thus influencing more that € 2 billion of assets under management.
Environmental aspects played an important role in evaluation of the companies and accounted for 60 per cent of the overall score. Oekom assessed Volkswagen’s environmental management, reporting and transport logistics especially positively. The development trend of emission relevant to the climate and energy consumption per employee were emphasised positively in the aspect of eco-efficiency. With regard to social criteria, which accounted for 40 per cent of the total score, Volkswagen received above-average marks for tracking employee and supplier issues and for the management of corporate governance aspects.
According to Oekom the rating revealed marked differences between the sustainability trailblazers and those lagging behind. Whereas those in the top places, which were Renault (B) and BMW (B-) as well as Volkswagen, had the edge in the field of ecology and in social criteria, the analysts bemoan a lack of transparency and commitment among companies with low marks. Oekom therefore clearly emphasise the future role of sustainability issues: “In the opinion of the analysts alternative concepts will be increasingly important in future, particularly with regard to rising oil prices and high fleet consumption – not least to ensure the future viability of the companies,” Oekom stated.
Environmental aspects played an important role in evaluation of the companies and accounted for 60 per cent of the overall score. Oekom assessed Volkswagen’s environmental management, reporting and transport logistics especially positively. The development trend of emission relevant to the climate and energy consumption per employee were emphasised positively in the aspect of eco-efficiency. With regard to social criteria, which accounted for 40 per cent of the total score, Volkswagen received above-average marks for tracking employee and supplier issues and for the management of corporate governance aspects.
According to Oekom the rating revealed marked differences between the sustainability trailblazers and those lagging behind. Whereas those in the top places, which were Renault (B) and BMW (B-) as well as Volkswagen, had the edge in the field of ecology and in social criteria, the analysts bemoan a lack of transparency and commitment among companies with low marks. Oekom therefore clearly emphasise the future role of sustainability issues: “In the opinion of the analysts alternative concepts will be increasingly important in future, particularly with regard to rising oil prices and high fleet consumption – not least to ensure the future viability of the companies,” Oekom stated.