News.

Dubai, 22 April 2010 – Shanghai’s World Fair Expo 2010 ‘exclusive and official automobile sponsor’ - Volkswagen - will be taking a fundamental part in implementing the motto of the Expo, “Better City – Better Life”, to promote German trade, sustainable development and environmental protection.

Volkswagen will support the German and Austrian pavilions by providing vehicles, and offer a glimpse of the future with its electric vehicle technology.

Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, handed the keys of six vehicles ranging from the Phaeton to the Touran, to the German Pavilion Director, Urte Fechter.

The consulate general of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Chamber of Foreign Trade have also been provided with a total of nine vehicles; with staff and guests of the Austrian pavilion receiving three Volkswagen T5 Multivans and one Phaeton.

“The German pavilion is the largest that has ever represented Germany at an Expo. For us, as the biggest automaker in Germany — and, likewise, in China — it is an obvious thing to provide support for the presentation of our home country,” Winfried Vahland said upon the occasion of the handover of the vehicles.

Commenting on the theme and motto of this year’s Expo, Vahland added, “We (Volkswagen) are on our way to becoming the most environmentally friendly automobile manufacturer in the world, because it’s our conviction that long-term growth can only be achieved with a preservation of resources at the same time.”


Driving presentation of the Volkswagen electric cars

Volkswagen is introducing a number of new initiatives in China this year, which supports the Expo theme of a sustainable and environmentally aware life.

This April at the 2010 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Volkswagen Group China is presenting the People’s Republic with its electric car strategy, and will introduce a road map for the launch of electric vehicle technology in China.

Following this, Volkswagen will present its electric and hybrid models in Shanghai this June. Journalists from all over the world will be among the first to test drive the vehicles and become acquainted with the innovative power of Volkswagen in electric mobility.

Commenting on Volkswagen’s electric strategy, Winfried Vahland said, “In China particularly — whose automobile market is the largest in the world — the need for knowledge, expertise and experience in environmentally friendly drive systems and long-term growth is undeniable. By offering our electric vehicle know-how to one of the worlds largest industrial powers, we hope to assist China in its drive for environmentally aware and sustainable development.”


‘Autostadt’ celebrates its 10th anniversary at Expo 2010

Volkswagen is not only present at the world fair with its vehicles. Expo visitors can experience Volkswagen directly on the exhibition premises at the entrance to the German pavilion.

On site will be an oversized ‘postcard’, depicting a scaled down version of the world famous ‘Autostadt’ visitor attraction and automotive theme park. Located adjacent to the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, the ‘Autostadt’ is one of the most popular travel destinations in Germany, with 20 million visitors to date.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary since its inception during the Expo 2000 in Hanover, visitors to the pavilion will be able to have their pictures taken standing in front of the ‘Autostadt’ while they wait to enter stand.

Volkswagen is present inside and outside of the Expo, with 3,650
Touran taxi cabs operating throughout the sprawling city, especially for the world fair. Together with its dealers and taxi service centres, Volkswagen will be ensuring mobility in Shanghai during the time of the exhibition as well.