POWER UP your business was the motto for the Volkswagen Konzern Forum, which took place recently in Leipzig. The event focused on vehicles relevant for the fleet from the Group brands Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Škoda, SEAT | CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as well as on mobility services from Volkswagen Financial Services.

The Golf has been one of the most popular cars in its segment for 50 years. Not only that, the estate version of the Golf has also been excelling in the registration statistics for more than three decades. In this the anniversary year of the Golf, both compacts have kept pace with the times and feature a fresh design as well as enhanced functions and improved performance compared with their predecessor models.

Audi is launching a host of exciting model innovations for fleet customers. In this interview with Carsten Kortüm, Head of Sales Major Customers Germany, and Sascha Evers, Fleet Sales Coordination Europe, we discuss what these innovations mean and how the brand intends to set itself even further apart from (new) competitors in the market in the future, also over and above the vehicles themselves.

Things are becoming much more straightforward for company car users at many charging stations: with LOGPAY’s Plug&Charge service, the e-vehicle automatically connects to the charging station and the charging process begins.

Vehicle pools are an interesting alternative for companies that cannot or do not want to rely fully on a personalised company car fleet. Using digital solutions, such as the vehicle pool mobility platform Giravolta, can help to reduce the administrative burden involved and guarantee a seamless user experience.

Throughout the year of 2024, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is conducting a product offensive that offers something new in all model series. In the following FleetTalk, Konrad Wagner, the Head of Sales for Fleet Customers in Europe and International, and Andreas Zenk, the Head of Sales for Fleet Customers in Germany, discuss the ways that customers will profit from these new products and enhancements.

Audi is in the middle of its transformation into a provider of premium electric mobility: With the new Audi Q6 e-tron, the manufacturer is now launching its first product line based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). For those who travel often for their work, it offers advantages such as its outstanding electric performance, progressive design and digital interior. Go.

New studies explore the things that motivate us behind the wheel and how our behaviour on the road is changing. An insightful look into the dynamics of rod traffic today.

That’s right – it’s the Audi Q7. The reasons for this alliance are obvious: The large SUV made by Audi has been one of the most popular members of its vehicle class since 2005. Ever since more and more companies started to make room in their fleets for these muscular urban cowboys, the Q7 has become a permanent member in the business segment: Here, too, the reasons for this shift are obvious. First, the vehicle’s distinctive design – it’s an Audi after all – that makes a stunning impression during customer meetings. Second, its flexible interior concept that is ideal for private usage. User-choosers with families know exactly how important such features are.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars fleet customers can look forward to a very unique year ahead. We discussed all the latest developments in the fleet business with Hans Andree, Head of Fleet Sales Germany, and Yvonne Kuschel, Head of International Fleet Steering.

Company fleets have an opportunity in 2024 to refresh their motor pools – thanks in particular to Volkswagen. In the next few weeks and months, four upgraded bestsellers will enter the marketplace: the Passat, Tiguan, Golf and the Golf Variant. And a completely upgraded all-rounder will go on sale to excite business customers: the new ID.7 Tourer.

As the solar power leader in its home country of Switzerland, Helion¹ is a company with electricity ingrained in its DNA. What could be a better fit for the company than a fleet of electric vehicles? Actually, nothing. As a result, Helion’s technicians are now also on the road in an all-electric vehicle – the ID. Buzz Cargo. The company is now operating one of Switzerland’s largest fleets of e-vehicles.

The location couldn’t have been better: At the racecourse of the National Riding Institute in the Swiss Avenches, sales representatives from Nestlé Suisse SA were presented with their new company cars – 126 of a total of 171 Škoda Enyaqs. The switch to the all-electric model is a part of the food company’s ambitious climate timetable, which stipulates a rapid reduction of emissions.

Škoda has hit the mark with its first electric model: the Enyaq SUV is currently the most registered electric vehicle in Germany. The brand is pursuing ambitious plans up until 2026 and is launching six new, fully electric models. In an interview, Škoda Key Accounts Coordinator Luboš Vnenk explains how the expanded portfolio also opens up new prospects for fleets.

Octavia, Kodiaq, Superb: Traditionally, hearing these names causes fleet operators’ ears to prick up. The new versions of these fleet-favourites will be hitting the market in 2024. Steffen Zöhke, Head of Fleets, Direct Customers and Remarketing at Škoda Auto Deutschland, explains what fleet customers can expect – and what progress is being made in terms of electric mobility – in the following interview.

By 2030, Volkswagen plans to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet in Europe by 40 percent. The all-electric car will certainly play a key role in this effort. Amid a maze of differing customer needs around the world, drive system preferences and business conditions, automakers cannot lose sight of renewable fuels – Professor Dr Thomas Garbe, the Head of Petrol and Diesel Fuels at Volkswagen AG, says in our interview.

With the second generation of its SUV flagship Kodiaq, Škoda intends to continue the success enjoyed by its predecessor model. To accomplish this, the Czech car manufacturer has put together a new complete package of features that will certainly please user-choosers and fleet managers.

In line with mobility trends, Lyreco introduced bike leasing in recent months and is using the services of Volkswagen Leasing GmbH in cooperation with partner Lease a Bike.

One of the most popular company cars is now available in a new generation – and has something special to offer business travellers: the Passat Estate provides even more room for business travellers and their luggage. Even more driving comfort. Efficient combustion engines and plug-in hybrid drive systems. And on top of that, a lean, linear design with attractive specification packages.

If so, great, because there are lots of changes to tell you about. If not, you now have an opportunity to get to know an SUV Coupé that is sure to impress fleet managers and user choosers. That’s because the upgraded Audi Q8 not only retains its usual expressive appearance, it can also be individualised with a wide variety of equipment features. This starts on the outside at the front and continues through new paint colours and wheels to the rear lights. What’s more, there is a choice of various decorative inlays for the interior. Sounds interesting?

Fleet configurations and vehicle ordering can be complicated and time-consuming processes. The online system called Fleet Ordering proves that things do not have to be that way: Major and direct customers of the Volkswagen Group can use this practical tool to significantly improve the efficiency of their processes.

Software platforms are transforming modern vehicles into smart companions. The Volkswagen Group’s software development company CARIAD has been driving this development at full speed for several years. We spoke to Knut Krösche, Head of Digital Business & Mobility Services at CARIAD.

How do you attract in-demand young talents in a highly competitive sector? Cegeka has the answer: The European IT service provider offers an inspiring environment – and a CUPRA Born to help the career entrants get their new working life up and running.

If there is also one vehicle in Volkswagen’s wide-ranging portfolio that deserves to be called a top model, it certainly has to be the Touareg. An updated version of the premium SUV has just been introduced: You will now learn what this means for fleet customers.

Group Forum 2023: Some 1,000 participants from 24 countries travelled to Munich in June 2023 to experience the combined fleet power of the Volkswagen Group brands.

The ID. 2all concept car from Volkswagen provides a first glimpse of what an all-electric compact car expected to cost than 25,000 euros might look like – and what it should be able to do. Interesting prospects for the future for mobile service providers, for example.

Charging and loading – for fleet vehicles at Swedish energy group Vattenfall, both go hand in hand. Now full-electric mobility is to be rolled out in multiple European core markets for the company’s light commercial vehicles too. Among these is the new ID. Buzz Cargo from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The transformation towards electric and digital mobility is in full swing. In-house local battery factories will ensure reliability of supply for these important energy storage units. The most recent additions are the Volkswagen Group’s future gigafactories in Valencia, Spain, and St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (picture above).

An easy way to bill the cost of business charging at home? For a long time this has involved a lot of organisational effort for fleet managers and company car users. Significant help is now at hand in Germany, however, thanks to the smart Home Charging Service from LOGPAY Transport Services GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Financial Services AG.

In such volatile times as these, organising company mobility can quickly turn into an obstacle race.

It was about four years ago that electric mobility made its way into Audi’s portfolio. The premium manufacturer entered the age of electric mobility back in 2018 with the Audi e-tron – and has since impressed in the segment of electric luxury SUVs. And perhaps also in your fleet?

Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, solid state energy systems, autonomous driving and lots more exciting things …

A lot is happening in terms of electromobility, for example on German roads: the two-million mark for e-cars is expected to be exceeded in 2023.

Driving safely means knowing how to react in hazardous situations. Regular driver safety training should therefore be a permanent fixture for frequent drivers.

An individually modified, fully-fledged commercial vehicle – but at the same time fully electric, sustainable and practical? Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a glimpse into the future with four concept vehicles – starting with the ID. Buzz Cargo as a Miele customer service vehicle.

Anyone dealing with the issue of mobility in Europe for professional reasons cannot help but be familiar with the European Union’s (EU) objective of climate neutrality – and cannot avoid being involved intensively with the adopted and planned measures that underpin this undertaking

All switches are set to “on”: Electrification of fleets has gained massive momentum worldwide. With “Electrification-as-a-Service”, the Volkswagen Group is offering its European fleet customers an end-to-end approach to switching.

This has been a reality for more than 30 years at Orthomol, one of the leading suppliers of micronutrient combinations on the German market.

The automotive world is undergoing the greatest transformation in its history. We spoke to innovation researcher Professor Stefan Bratzel from the “Center of Automotive Management” research institute about why knowledge is becoming a critical success factor in the new world, what connectivity has to do with this, and why the pace of electrification could be improved.

The electric two-wheeled solutions can help to boost fleet efficiency.

Anyone who drives a lot for professional reasons knows how arduous everyday life on the move can be. Fortunate, therefore, those whose company cars are equipped with good assist technologies that can provide support (not just) in precarious situations.

If the aim is to broaden the fleet base with progressive models, then there’s no getting around the CUPRA Formentor.

Since 1994, the A8 has been Audi’s response to demand for a prestigious company car designed to meet the needs of senior and executive management. Luxury, authority and success are the words that immediately come to mind with this saloon.

Demand and feasibility clarified, funding applications submitted and electric vehicles successfully integrated. Now we can see how electric vehicles “work” in fleet operation.

Schindler elevators and escalators transport more than 1.5 billion people around the globe every day. And its vehicle fleet is also becoming increasingly electric. The German arm of Schindler has now extended its fleet with the addition of 200 ŠKODA ENYAQ iV electric vehicles.

After electric mobility, autonomous driving is the next big game changer of future mobility – and the impact on car design will be fundamental here too. In the second part of our interview with Klaus Zyciora we look at what’s in store for users.

1,500 company car drivers across all of Europe, different tax laws, the most diverse user preferences: as a fleet manager for the software provider Infor, Fer Derwort already has his hands full. Now the company is converting his fleet to electric mobility. He explains in this interview why the effort is worthwhile.

Standing still is an alien concept for car designers at any rate. But what can be done when not just a model change but also an entire paradigm shift is taking place?

“Risk management” to the ears of many fleet managers sounds like an unwelcome stress test – unpleasant and demanding in the extreme. The basic principle behind it is a basic instinct of human nature: we weigh up risks on a daily basis, completely subconsciously for the most part.

More and more companies are adding electric cars to their fleets – fortunately! But do we have to worry about our electric grid reaching its limits at some point?

Flexible handling, effective capacity utilisation, optimum capital expenditure: the advantages of vehicle pools are clear to see.

Das nennt man Vorreiter: Der Fuhrpark der Bechtle AG besteht bereits zu 22 Prozent aus elektrifizierten Fahrzeugen. Alleine im Jahresendspurt 2020 kamen 50 vollelektrische Volkswagen ID.3 hinzu. Uli Drautz, Leiter des Konzerncontrollings, berichtet von den Beweggründen und den Herausforderungen bei dieser Transformation.

Relatively few cars today possess a cult status. One of these is an MPV: the Multivan from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Extremely versatile – in commercial use too, for example as a mobile conference room – thanks to adjustable seats in the rear and an additional table module. A modern classic, in fact.

Even climbing on board the Q4 Sportback e-tron is comfortable for instance: the doors open wide, and the seats are in a comfortably high position.

A new model from the unconventional challenger brand CUPRA is sure to play a part here. After all, the Spanish brand recently unveiled its first fully electric vehicle – the CUPRA Born.

Everyone is talking about e-mobility. After all, fully electric cars produce no CO2, offer greater driving comfort and impress when it comes to acceleration. It is hardly surprising that more and more company car drivers are interested in battery-driven vehicles.

Car buyers in Germany have until 31 December 2025 to benefit from the eco-bonus when purchasing a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) – assuming adequate incentives are still available by then.

A fleet without fuel costs: What may sound utopian to the ears of many fleet operators is getting tantalisingly closer thanks to electric mobility according to Elke Temme.

It is one of the ŠKODA brand’s bestsellers, particularly in the fleet segment – the OCTAVIA. Now in its fourth generation, the compact car offers more different drive options than ever before, thus ensuring its status as a true all-rounder when it comes to the various uses.

The new model version of the Arteon is embarking on a new chapter as a company car. This is especially against the backdrop of the relaunch of Volkswagen’s Gran Tourismo last autumn, when this strong brother joined as the latest member of the model family.

More models, more quick-charging stations, more services: according to Martin Roemheld, Head of E-Mobility Services at Volkswagen AG, 2021 will be the year of electric mobility. In the second part of the interview, the expert talks about central topics such as charging infrastructure, charging times and the status quo in Germany and Europe.

Jochen Schmitz is Head of International Fleet at Volkswagen Financial Services. In the interview, he talks about the current changes and challenges facing the fleet market – and how his team is supporting customers during these dynamic times.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has created the new Caddy Cargo for functional fleets: depending on the version, the city van can transport up to 723 kilograms – up to 100 kg on the roof.

For company drivers, the benefits of a plug-in hybrid are obvious: Firstly, they allow fully electric driving, for example when commuting to work. Secondly, they can also be used for unplanned longer journeys, for example when travelling to an appointment with a customer.

More models, more quick-charging stations, more services: according to Martin Roemheld, Head of E-Mobility Services at Volkswagen AG, 2021 will be the year of electric mobility. In the first part of the interview, the expert talks about promotional concepts, the acceptance of electric mobility and explains why he feels comfortable driving his ID.3 even long distances with low remaining battery capacity.

With its own vehicle operating system, its own automotive cloud and a new electronic architecture in its vehicles, Volkswagen is gradually evolving into a software-driven mobility provider. How do fleet customers benefit?