Environmental Report

Volkswagen
Environmental Report 2001/2002

Mobility and Sustainability
Contents
Editorial
Introduction
Forewords
At a Glance
2
3
4
6
Sustainability &
Social Responsibility
Challenges
Characteristics
Business Strategies
Added Value
Economic Facts and Figures
Social Competence
Corporate Social Responsibility
Cooperative Conflict Management
Corporate Sustainability Verification
7
8
10
11
12
13
15
16
18
20
Environmental Policy & Management

Environmental Policy
Climate Protection and Fuel Consumption
Life Cycle Inventories
Environmental Costs
Eco-Audit
Employees
Environmental History
Goals and Measures
21
22
24
26
28
29
30
33
34
Products
Product Policy
FSI
Our Models
Experience with the Lupo 3L TDI
37
38
40
44
50
Research & Development

Fuel Strategy
The Car and the Environment
Technical Development
The One-Litre Car
Mobile Networking
Electric Hybrid Vehicles
Recycling
51
52
58
62
63
64
66
68
Production & Plants

A Worldwide Network
Logistics
Suppliers
International Material Data System
Reports and Examples
Environmental Data
69
70
71
73
74
76
90
Partners & Projects

Environmental Protection
in the Service Sector
A Profile of the Stipschitz Dealership
Implementing the ELV Directive
Mobility Projects
The VCD Cars and Environment Table
The EcoTopTen Project
Partnership with NABU
The Global Reporting Initiative
The Sustainable Mobility Project
Drive Carefully Save Fuel
97
98
99
101
102
105
106
107
108
109
110
Conclusion & Appendix

The Environmental Report 1999/2000
Auditing the Report
Auditors Attestation
Glossary of Terms
How to Contact Us
111
112
114
115
116
119
Fuel Strategy
Hydrogen will doubtless power most cars in the future. But until that
happens, natural gas, SynFuels and fuels derived from regenerative raw
materials are the main alternatives to conventional petrol and diesel.
p. 52
Local Agendas
The people at Volkswagens production plants are never short of good ideas
when it comes to demonstrating their responsiblity for local residents and
the environment from finding ways of saving water to acting out plays.
p. 76
Partners & Projects
Working for Future Generations

Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Meeting todays needs without denying

future generations the opportunity to
make progress. This is the challenge
Volkswagen faces as it strives to
combine social responsibility with
entrepreneurial drive.
p. 15
Prevention is Better than Cure
Apprentices at Volkswagen learn about environmental
protection in all its many forms. Protecting our climate is the
key environmental task of the future.
Environmental Policy and Management
p. 30
FSI
Products
0
1
Research & Development
Production & Plants
FSI stands for a future with lower fuel consumption and

less emissions. With the advent of direct fuel injection, the
petrol engine has become a good deal more eco-friendly.
p. 40
United We Stand
Volkswagen is not only a partner to its customers
but also to its dealerships and service outlets.
The companys commitment to the environment
and sustainability takes on many different forms
at national and international level.
p. 97
Editorial
Dear Reader,
appropriate places. That leaves more space

for a strategic discussion of the long-term
For the first time our Environmental Report has a sub-
development of personal mobility symbol-
heading: Mobility and Sustainability. There are good
ised by the car. Accordingly, we have made
reasons for this innovation. The scope of the environ-
Volkswagens drive systems and fuel strategy
mental debate is constantly being widened to include
one of the focal points of this Report.
additional aspects of corporate sustainability, ultimately embracing the full ecological, economic and social
Globalisation has brought a further increase
dimensions of entrepreneurial activity. Meanwhile the
in the number of Volkswagen plants around
debate over what a sustainability report should cover
the world. In this Report we have concentrat-
continues. Volkswagen is actively involved in the
ed on four plants from three different
national and international dialogue on meaningful
continents and refer anyone interested in
guidelines and indicators for sustainability reporting
further details of all other plants to our web
and two years from now, we intend to publish a
site at
sustainability report which will match up to your high
www.volkswagen-environment.de/on-the-ground
expectations and our own.

As always, our Environmental Report is also
The complex relationship between sustainability and
an open invitation to talk to us about mobility.
mobility is of key significance for us. The Mankind and
In recent years we have benefited greatly from
Mobility photos in this Report are designed to draw
this dialogue and we hope that you have too.
attention to how, in an ever more interwoven and

densely populated world, mobility is often a value of
Finally, my thanks go to our dedicated
truly existential importance. On the one hand, making
editorial team and to all the colleagues whose
mobility possible in an environmentally acceptable way
expert input laid the foundations for this
demands every ounce of our creative resources. On the
Report.
other hand, mobility is our everyday business, and so

the Report focuses mainly on the efforts we have made
I hope you enjoy reading it!
over the last two years and the goals we are pursuing in
the interests of progress. In these efforts and in this
Dr. Horst Minte
Report FSI technology has a central part to play.
Product, Environment and Traffic Systems
Of course our readers are not just interested in our top

performers but in the environmental impact of all
Volkswagen models. In our first ever Environmental
Report we set a benchmark for the industry by presenting the full portfolio of Volkswagen vehicles. Today,
information technology provides us all with a fast track
to the latest data, and at
www.volkswagen-environment.de
we can now provide you with regular and practical

updates on model-specific data. As a result, in the
printed Report we have restricted ourselves more
to the fundamentals, and refer to our web site in the
Introduction
Forewords
Sustainable Corporate Success and
Sustainable Mobility
Volkswagens corporate policy is geared to the long term.
consistently banking on direct injection.
Safeguarding protability and adding value to our
The next few years will see a substantial increase
products are factors which contribute to our success, as
in the range of Volkswagen models available
indeed do the introduction of exible working-hour
with FSI engines. This way, we aim to achieve a
models and the development of cars with outstanding
further cut in average fuel consumption across
fuel economy. Volkswagens heritage and operating envi-
our eet and to full the Voluntary Agreement
ronment make for an approach to sustainable manage-
entered into by the European automobile
ment that is specic to the company an approach
industry whereby CO2 emissions in the EU are to
symbolised not least by the Lupo 3L TDI and the four-day
be reduced to 140 grams per kilometre by 2008.
week. Today, FSI technology and the 5000x5000 project
Until alternative propulsion systems like the fuel
are important milestones along this route.
cell make their breakthrough, we need well

thought-out interim strategies. Volkswagen has
In future, in a logical expansion of its product portfolio,
drawn up a fuel strategy to bridge this gap. This
Volkswagen will also be bringing luxury cars to market. In
includes improving the overall efciency of our
this segment, too, we are aiming to demonstrate the tech-
engines, drawing on alternative energy
nology leadership we have established in the other classes
resources in the fuel production process and
of vehicle. In recent years we have extended our range of
developing ways of operating vehicles that result
economical cars with low fuel consumption. The three-
in a neutral CO2 balance sheet. FSI and our fuel
litre Lupo which was launched in 1999 is our Formula 1
strategy will safeguard Volkswagens success in
performer in this category. For the third year in succession
the long term, just as the diesel engine launched
it heads up the Cars and the Environment table compiled
at Volkswagen 25 years ago has done.
by the German Association for Transport and the Environment. That said, we have set our sights higher still. Our
Success on the stock markets, however, is
uppermost goal in this respect is a 1-litre car which will
often decided by shorter-term factors. But as
cover 100 km on one litre of fuel. We are currently
developments in the international financial
developing one such model which will set new standards.
markets show, sustainable success and

shareholder value need not be contradictory.
For Volkswagen, sustainable mobility is not centred on
Indexes such as the Dow Jones Sustainability
individual models. This is illustrated to good effect by the
World Index (DJSI World) on the New York
TDI engine at present our most economical drive
Stock Exchange or the FTSE4Good index on
technology. In the long term, the increase in the proportion
the London Stock Exchange, both of which
of diesel-engined models in the Volkswagen eet to more
rate companies in line with sustainability
than 40 percent will make a tangible contribution to
criteria, are beginning to gain ground. We take
protecting our climate. In our petrol engines, too, we are
it as confirmation of our corporate strategy

that Volkswagen is now included in both of
these indexes.
Wolfsburg, December 2001

Dr. techn. h. c. Dipl.-Ing. ETH Ferdinand Pich
Chairman of the Board of Management
1
Forewords Introduction
Social Responsibility Calls for

Sustainability
Words which are used frequently in public debate often
With its One Hour for the Future
risk being devalued in meaning. Sustainability is a
campaign, the General Works Council is out to
case in point. If no clear-cut definition is provided,
underline the global social responsibility of
sustainability is understood to mean little more than
transnational companies beyond their own
permanence or persistence. Neither, however,
corporate boundaries and point out that
comes close to the original meaning of the word. As
attempting to distinguish between peoples
used at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992,
existential interests by geographical regions is
sustainability was supposed to stand for a principle of
a thing of the past.
social development a principle which demands that

each generation leave as good if not better foundations
The principle of preventing plant closures
for development to the next generation. As such,
and mass redundancies across the worldwide
sustainability refers expressly to the way in which we
Volkswagen Group reflects our understanding
shape the fields of ecology, economics and social
that global social responsibility neither is nor
conditions. The big step forward is in drawing attention
can be divided.
to the fact that these three dimensions can only be

shaped together, as an integral whole, and not in
As these four examples illustrate, in any
isolation.
approach to social responsibility, sustainability is a must. One of its principal targets is the
The General Works Council naturally feels that its
creation of equilibrium equilibrium
obligations lie above all in the social dimension of
between social obligations and economic
sustainability and consequently has drawn up central
performance, between the vested interests of
strategies and initiated agreements and projects with a
the various generations and between the
focus on these aspects. The following remarkable
development needs of the companys plants
examples provide some illustration of the Councils
in different parts of the world. As a result, the
efforts:
waste or even destruction of resources is

avoided and new development opportunities
Through the introduction of the four-day week
are created. So, in effect, sustainability and
during an acute job-market crisis in 1994, we avoided
social responsibility are related like an
mass redundancies. Instead of people losing their jobs,
operating principle and its objective. Each
employment capacity for future generations, too, was
requires the other and together they can
assured.
transform requirements into reality. Consequently, we shall be continuing along our
Through the Time Asset Bond scheme, a phased
chosen route.
retirement plan and the recruitment and permanent

employment of apprentices, we have put in place a
cross-generation job-creation system at Volkswagen,
similar to an inter-generation social contract.
Klaus Volkert
Chairman of the General and Group Works
Council
4
5
At a Glance
The Marques Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles in gures
Workforce
000
(on Dec. 31)
Volkswagen Passenger Cars
Production
000
units
Sales
000
units
Sales
million
Pre-tax
prots*
million
992
125.6
1,999
2,396
46,544
1,671
1999
12.923
122.7
1,981
2,382
43,546
1,348
+/- (percent)
17.756
+ 2.3
+ 0.9
+ 0.6
+ 6.9
+ 24.0
2000
18.0
247
289
4,562
258
1999
17.5
238
284
4,348
249
+ 2.8
+ 3.7
+ 1.5
+ 4.9
+ 3.5
2000
VolkswagenCommercial Vehicles
+/- (percent)
*Excluding extraordinary expenses (relating to the EU End of Life Vehicle Directive).

Source: VOLKSWAGEN AG
Eco-audit status (EMAS)

Initial certication
Volkswagen Plant
6
7
Drop in CO2 emissions due to falling average eet consumption
Date
Emden
09/95
Zwickau/Mosel
03/96
Brunswick
06/96
%
ACEA CO2 Agreement
ACEA current status
Volkswagen
VWK Wolfsburg
07/96
Salzgitter
12/96
-30
Wolfsburg
12/97
-40
Navarra
12/97
Kassel
11/98
VWK Kassel
11/98
-10
-20
1995
2000
2005
2010
Volkswagens contribution to meeting the ACEAs Voluntary Agreement on CO2

(0 % = CO2 emissions based on 1995 corporate average fuel economy)
Drive system trends, 1995 - 2015

Future market shares
Chemnitz
07/99
Hanover
03/01
Initial certication
planned:
Brussels
04/02
Poznan
03/03
Re-certication
completed:
Emden
09/98
Zwickau/Mosel
05/99
Brunswick
06/99
Salzgitter
11/99
Wolfsburg
11/99
Navarra
11/00
Wolfsburg
01/01
09/01
100 %
Petrol DI*
Petrol
80 %
Alternative drive systems
Diesel DI*
60 %
Diesel
40 %
*DI = direct injection.
20 %
1995
Source: Aachen Technical University
2000
2005
2010 2015
Re-certication
planned:
Kassel
12/01
VWK Kassel
12/01
Chemnitz
04/02
Zwickau/Mosel
04/02
Sustainability &
Social Responsibility
5
6
Sustainability A Challenge
for Business Practices
Since the notion of sustainable development was first
must work in partnership with other institu-
formulated in the Brundtland Commissions 1987 report
tions and organisations.
and tabled at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment

and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the concept has
For Volkswagen sustainability is made up of
become a global political model. For all the frequency,
three core elements:
however, with which the term figures in political

debates, its precise meaning has nevertheless remained
maintaining a balance within the economic,
remarkably open. So before sustainable development
ecological and social system and pursuing
can be adopted as a corporate guideline, the underlying
the long-term reconciliation of divergent
concept must first be clearly defined.
interests
taking responsibility for ones own activities
at regional, national and global level
As set out by the Brundtland Commission, the concept of
practising transparent communication and
sustainable development primarily targets a just and
fair cooperation.
equitable state of affairs between present and future

generations, that is to say it means development that
ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In
Sustainable development means

networked thinking
Volkswagens view, this is a call to pursue a corporate
The process of sustainable development
policy geared to the long term and designed to respond
involves all sectors of society the general
not only to economic challenges but at the same time to
public and the state, companies and their
ecological and social challenges, as well. To that extent,
customers, associations and political parties.
sustainable development ranks among the new chal-
Sustainability means no longer considering
lenges which companies now face in the policy sector.
ones own interests in isolation but against a
In their efforts to shape sustainable development,
backdrop of economic, ecological and social
companies are governed by legislative frameworks and in
aspects.
meets the needs of the present without compromising the
addition to being responsible for their own activities, they
Changing political processes pose new challenges
Companies, NGOs, employees,

investors, consumers
Direct responsibility
c
d
International organisations,
associations
EU, nation states
c
d
Guidelines
Voluntary agreements
c
d
Legal framework
Stakeholder requirements
Market requirements
c
d
Legal requirements
2
Challenges Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Companies in particular are expected to shoulder a
As an active participant in the 1992 UN
proactive role. In economic terms, companies and their
Conference on Environment and Develop-
workforces are the generators of social prosperity. In
ment in Rio de Janeiro and as a founding
technical terms they are the locomotives of progress. In
member of the World Business Council for
the production of goods and services they draw upon
Sustainable Development (WBCSD), we have
natural resources. At the same time they also create and
been giving thought to the subject of
safeguard jobs and social security, and offer their
sustainable development and the challenges
employees a means of personal fulfilment. In ecological
it poses for the corporate sector for a long
terms, companies make demands upon the load-
time now. For Volkswagen, the concept of
bearing capacity of the biosphere. Thus, companies are
sustainable development is not to be
economic, ecological, technological and social players
considered solely against the backdrop of
who can contribute to sustainable development across
societys ethical expectations of the corporate
the board.
sector but also as a key contributory factor in

consolidating and enhancing the global
As a corporate citizen, Volkswagen forms an integral
competitiveness of the Group as a whole. To
part of society. As a global player, we are confronted
an increasing extent, economic success is
with different social structures and expectations in
achieved not least through the long-term
different countries and cultural environments and in
integration of ecological and social goals.
each case play our part in local societal development.
World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002 Rio+10
Ten years after what became known as the Earth Summit (the 1992
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in
Rio de Janeiro) the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) will be held in Johannesburg in September 2002. There, the
UN will draw up a balance-sheet setting out the agreements reached
in Rio and the subsequent outcome of those agreements. The most
urgent task on the agenda will be to give fresh impetus to global
environmental policymaking and drive forward efforts towards sustainable development. Governments and business enterprises alike
will give an account of the contribution they have made over the
past decade to fighting poverty, conserving natural resources and
shaping our lives in such a way that future generations will inherit a
world worth living in.
At the 1992 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Volkswagen was represented
by, among others, the then Chairman of the Board of Management,
Dr. Carl Hahn. In preparation for the forthcoming follow-up conference, management and plants are taking stock of progress. At the same
time, above all at the companys production plants in newly industrialising countries, new initiatives are getting under way. At many
plants, involvement in working groups for a Local Agenda 21 provides
a means of working together with the authorities and local residents
to help safeguard the future of the plants concerned.
As part of Volkswagens commitment to the Mobility

Forum of the United Nations Environmental
Programme (UNEP), the company has joined forces
with other international automobile manufacturers to
prepare a status report for the WSSD in Johannesburg
covering all activities implemented since the conference
in Rio, and is planning other initiatives. In addition,
as part of the German governments Rio+10
Transparency Initiative, together with other German
companies, ministries, associations and interest groups
Volkswagen is analysing the contribution made by the
German business sectors foreign investments to
improving the living conditions of people in developing
and newly industrialising countries. This study is also
designed to trigger a learning process, the outcome of
which will be presented within the framework of the
conference in South Africa.
www.johannesburgsummit.org
8
9
Characteristics of sustainable
corporate development
business start-ups and technical innovations,
In our view, sustainability is a process of ongoing
objectives.
is combined with qualitative ecological
learning, distinguished by the following characteristics:

Communication: Members of society must
Evolution: The sustainable development of each company
communicate and coordinate their respective
draws on its own particular history, culture and operating
contributions to sustainable development.
environment, leading to a company-specic approach.
This calls for a will to communicate, learn and
Volkswagens approach to sustainability is founded on four
cooperate. Our environmental reports, envi-
factors: a cooperative style of resolving conicts; our
ronmental statements and Life Cycle Assess-
employees co-determination rights; our strong regional
ments all document the fact that, for
roots and deriving from our post-war experience our
Volkswagen, the need for transparent com-
frugal approach to precious natural resources.
munication goes without saying. The company

demonstrates its commitment to sustainable
Integration: Instead of improving the economic, social
development topics at a number of external
and ecological aspects of the company in isolation, we
forums: One key project in which we are involv-
try to take a holistic view. One example here is the
ed in conjunction with the WBCSD goes by the
AutoVision project (see page 17). Here, the principal
name of Sustainable Mobility (see page 109).
aim of halving the level of unemployment in Wolfsburg
Volkswagen is also an active participant in the
by means of economic measures which foster new
Mobility Forum set up by the United Nations
Strategic contributions to sustainable development at Volkswagen

Increase in company value
Society
Ecology
Innovative environmental policy
group-wide environmental
goals
environmental management
system
ecological product innovations
open environmental
communications
external collaboration
Enhancing labour flexibility

four-day week
Time-Asset bond
pension fund
training
personnel services agency
5000x5000 project
Economy
Integration
Safeguarding the corporate future

module strategy in production sector
efficient engine technology
lightweight design
mobility services
Economic promotion
Innovation Campus
"Promotion" start-up competition
supplier establishment
Synergies
2
Characteristics/Business Strategies Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Environmental Programme (UNEP). In the eld of corpo-
Marque and product strategy
rate social responsibility, we are collaborating with other
Through its multi-marque strategy and
European rms under the auspices of CSR Europe.
product development strategy, Volkswagen is
Volkswagen is a founding member of the Sustainable
constantly expanding its portfolio by adding
Development econsense forum of the Confederation of
high quality technological products including
German Industry (BDI). In the eld of environmental
highly ecologically efficient and economical
protection, Volkswagen collaborates with the Institute
vehicles and thereby helping to increase the
of Applied Ecology in Freiburg, Germany, (see page 106)
value of the marque and exploit existing
and with NABU the German Society for Nature
market and earnings potentials.
Conservation (see page 107).

www.volkswagen-environment.de/knowledge/partners-projects
Module strategy
Innovation: Our integral perspective of sustainability
The module strategy is a product-develop-
leads us to undertake an ongoing critical review of what
ment and production concept which enables
we have already achieved, thereby opening up new
a number of selected modules to be used as
scope for innovation. The results of this way of thinking
components in several different classes of
include the factory that breathes for example (see
models. The resultant synergy effects lead to
page 17), the Time Asset bond (see page 17) and the first
savings not least on the development and
3-litre car (see page 50).
procurement fronts. The module concept also

reflects Volkswagens cross-facility integrated
Business strategies and sustainability
development process which calls for a
Strategies designed to safeguard long-term corporate
comparable level of technology at all of the
success must take account not only of technical and
Groups facilities and thus provides a strong
market developments but also of social and environ-
impulse for technology transfer.
mental challenges. Under the heading of sustainable

development and its ecological, economic and social
Fuel strategy
dimensions, Volkswagen can point to the strategic
Through its fuel strategy, Volkswagen is
approaches and achievements of many corporate divi-
preparing for the anticipated long-term
sions, all of which help to ensure that the company is
shortage of conventional energy resources.
managed for sustainability and plays its part in a society
This is a transitional strategy, as new drive
geared to sustainable development. However, these
technologies are not developed overnight.
contributions must also be integrated into an overall
The fuel strategy demonstrates a three-
sustainability strategy. The basic principles which guide
pronged approach, involving the constant
us in this process of integration are set out earlier in this
pursuit of more efficient engines, the
chapter.
inclusion of alternative energy resources in

the fuel production process and the develop-
Ecology lies at the heart of this Report and it is to ecologi-
ment of drive concepts with a neutral carbon-
cal concerns that the chapters which follow are dedicated.
dioxide balance-sheet. The introduction of
Hence, this is still the Volkswagen Environmental Report
FSI technology is just one module in this
rather than a sustainability report. That said, in this
comprehensive strategy (see page 52).
chapter on sustainability we have set out to open a window for you on the economic and social dimensions of
Volkswagen. At present, the economic pillar of sustainability is made up of marque and product strategy, module
strategy and fuel strategy.
10
11
Added value and sustainable growth
The term added value stands quite literally
For several years now, the Volkswagen Annual Report has
for the value which a company adds through its
documented the value added by the Group. The
own efforts to the goods or services provided to
introduction of added value accounting was an
society. The market value of these products,
important step forward in our accounting practices
and thus the revenue posted by the company is
since it enables the company to set out in its annual
determined by the most important stakeholder
nancial statements the value generated not only for the
group for any business enterprise: the cus-
shareholders but also for other important stakeholders,
tomers. The resultant earnings are distributed
such as our employees and the state. This in turn brings
among the various other stakeholders in the
about a substantial improvement in the transparency of
company, such as its employees, shareholders,
the social dimension of Volkswagens performance. The
creditors or the state. In the context of
ecological dimension, however, is not yet included in

the added value accounts.
Sources and allocation of funds of VOLKSWAGEN AG

2000
1999
Year-on-year
change
Year-on-year
change
in million
in million
in million
in percent
43,447
40,094
+ 3,353
+ 8.4
plus other income
3,612
3,063
+ 549
+ 17.9
less expenditures
37,980
34,711
+ 3,269
+ 9.4
9,079
8,446
+ 633
+ 7.5
Sources
Sales
Added value
Appropriation
2000
2000
1999
1999
Year-on-year
change
Year-on-year
change
in million
in percent
in million
in percent
in million
in percent
507
5.6
327
3.9
+ 180
+ 54.8
to employees (wages,
salaries, fringe benets)
6,608
72.8
6,327
74.9
+ 281
+ 4.4
to the state
(taxes, levies)
1,278
14.1
1,283
15.2
-5
- 0.4
to creditors
(interest)
369
4.0
184
2.2
+ 185
+ 100.2
to the company
(reserves)
317
3.5
325
3.8
-8
- 2.3
9,079
100.0
8,446
100.0
+ 633
+ 7.5
to stockholders (dividend)
Added value
2
Added Value/Economic Facts and Figures Sustainability & Social Responsibility
sustainable growth, this distribution endeavours to take
In this sense, Volkswagen is striving for
due and equitable account of the contributions of the
sustainable growth. In the process, share-
various stakeholder groups.
holder value, stakeholder value and workholder value are not mutually exclusive but
The added value accounts of VOLKSWAGEN AG as part
all part of the practice of value-based
of the added value accounting of the Group show a sum
management which takes due account of
of approximately EUR 9 billion. The distribution pattern
the contributions of the various stakeholder
of the resultant earnings reveals that the employees
groups and provides each with its
play a major part in the creation of added value and
commensurate reward.
therefore harvest the lions share (72.8 percent) of the

duties are also high in the automotive industry. These
Economic facts and gures for the

Volkswagen Marque
represent that part of the companys contribution to
In terms of the number of vehicles built and
society the ultimate use of which is determined not by
sold, Volkswagen is Europes largest automak-
the company itself as is the case in sponsoring
er. Although Volkswagen was founded in 1938,
activities, for example but by the elected representa-
it was only after the Second World War that the
tives of the people at the companys various locations
company began production of the rst ever
around the world. For their part, the shareholders have
Volkswagen (peoples car) which was to
benefited from a substantial increase in dividend on
make automotive history as the Beetle. Since
account of the positive development of our business
1950, Volkswagen has also built vans. Over the
and the increase in annual income. Finally, the com-
six decades of the companys history, the range
panys high reserves stand for Volkswagens efforts to
of different models has seen strong growth, not
underpin the substance of the enterprise and thereby
only in the commercial vehicle sector
safeguard its long-term future.
(Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan, LT) but also
returns. Payments to the state in the form of taxes and
on the passenger car front (Lupo, Polo, Golf,

Added value cannot be geared unilaterally either to the
Bora, New Beetle, Passat and Sharan).
prot margin or to the shareholders dividend. Sustainable commercial success is a long-term consideration,
Along with its main plant in Wolfsburg and
founded upon the quality and high rate of investment in
many production facilities in Europe,
a companys people, processes and plant, that is to say
Volkswagen maintains production and assem-
in its principal assets. In a transparent market economy,
bly plants all over the world, including fac-
these assets also include the trust and condence of the
tories in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and China.
companys customers, the general public and the state

institutions of the countries in which it operates.
12
13
The Marques Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles in gures
Volkswagen Passenger Cars
Workforce
000
(at Dec. 31)
Production
000 units
Sales
000 units
Sales
million
Pre-tax
prot*
million
2000
125.6
1,999
2,396
46,544
1,671
1999
122.7
1,981
2,382
43,546
1,348
+/- (percent)
+ 2.3
+ 0.9
+ 0.6
+ 6.9
+ 24.0
2000
18.0
247
289
4,562
258
1999
17.5
238
284
4,348
249
+ 2.8
+ 3.7
+ 1.5
+ 4.9
+ 3.5
VolkswagenCommercialVehicles
+/- (percent)
*Excluding extraordinary expenses (relating to the EU End of Life Vehicle Directive).
North America Region
Workforce
000
(at Dec. 31)
Output
000 units
Sales
000 units
Sales
million
Pre-tax
prot
million
18.0
992
426
728
15,459
684
1999
12.923
17.5
410
649
11,561
372
+/- (percent)
17.756
+ 2.8
+ 3.8
+ 12.2
+ 33.7
+ 83.9
2000
36.8
628
643
7,029
- 4*
1999
37.3
523
552
5,088
- 363
+/- (percent)
- 1.3
+ 20.1
+ 16.5
+ 38.1
2000
17.0
332
394
4,297
320
1999
15.9
314
367
3,139
243
+ 6.7
+ 5.8
+ 7.5
+ 36.9
+ 31.6
2000
South America/Africa Region
Asia Pacic Region
+/- (percent)
*including nancial services a positive result was reported.

x: change of more than 100 percent
2
Economic Facts and Figures/Social Competence Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Social Competence
A Success Factor for Volkswagen
When it comes to demonstrating a commitment to social
As a global player, Volkswagen operates at
responsibility, the German people expect more of
locations in various countries where different
Volkswagen than of virtually any other company in Ger-
cultural and political circumstances may
many. According to a representative survey conducted by
prevail. We see ourselves as a partner to the
the Munich-based IMAS Institute in 2001, Volkswagen
regions in which our facilities are located and,
enjoys a very positive social image among the German
through a number of projects, are actively
population. The high regard in which we are held is both
involved in shaping the wider social picture
a reward and a challenge a challenge to maintain the
there.
companys social performance in an increasingly

competitive global arena and drive it forwards through
When a company considers itself part of a
new, innovative solutions and projects. For Volkswagen,
society it must also be prepared to promote
social responsibility is both a source of competence and
institutions and organisations in the cultural
an integral part of successful entrepreneurial activity.
sector or which help the socially underprivileged, for example. In 2000, Volkswagen
Our employees are the driving force behind the
bundled its diverse sponsorship activities in
commercial development of the company. So fostering
the arts and culture sector under the wing of
the social security of Volkswagens people and their
the Volkswagen Art Foundation. Major
families is not only a moral obligation but also in the
sponsorship activities in recent years have
companys own best interest. In generating motivation
included backing the dokumenta X
and commitment among employees, a healthy
contemporary art exhibition in Kassel (1997)
atmosphere at the workplace is essential. Consequently,
and supporting Weimar as the Cultural
the individual rights and dignity of our employees
Capital of Europe (1999). Since 1997, the
regardless of gender, religion, nationality or race are
Volkswagen Sound Foundation has been
central to our corporate culture. They are also anchored
dedicated to fostering young rock and pop
in a factory agreement entitled Partnership-Based
musicians, aiming to help talented youngsters
Conduct at Work.
get off to a good start in their careers.
Employee Initiative: Giving Streetchildren a Future

One Hour for the Future is the name of an initiative
triggered by Volkswagens General and Group Works
Council to help streetchildren. Since 1999, the project
has brought in EUR 2 million in donations. The aim
is to provide long-term support for local project management organisations in cities where Volkswagen is
based in Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and Germany.
The initiative has drawn broad-based support not
only from within the company but also from
Volkswagen suppliers and customer clubs.
www.volkswagen-environment.de/magazine
14
15
CSR the social dimension of sustainability
European survey to assess the status quo of
The social performance of corporate enterprises is
socially responsible corporate activities,
increasingly being subsumed under the heading of
commissioned by CSR Europe, independent
corporate social responsibility (CSR). The loose deni-
research institutes studied the contributions
tion of CSR has come to take in not only a companys
made by 46 companies to enhancing the
social responsibilities but its economic and ecological
employability of the unemployed and school
responsibilities as well. As a result, CSR is now en-
leavers (Employability); how these companies
croaching on the territory of the established concept
helped to promote start-ups (Entrepreneur-
of sustainable development.
ship); how they demonstrated their adaptability in dynamic markets (Adaptability) and
For Volkswagen, CSR solely covers the social dimension
what they did to foster equal opportunities for
of sustainable development. This comprises the
men and women (Equal Opportunities).
willingness of an enterprise to invest its capabilities in
Volkswagen emerged from this appraisal of
nding innovative solutions to social problems both
socially responsible performance with flying
within and beyond the bounds of the company, thereby
colours.
increasing its commercial success. In this sense,

corporate social responsibility means far more than
Volkswagen has caught the public eye with a
doing good deeds in a social context and becomes a
number of social innovations. One such eye-
conceptual approach to business. Volkswagens social
catcher is the concept of the factory that
competence is reected in a number of different projects.
breathes. Given the uctuating nature of
www.volkswagen-environment.de/knowledge/sustainability-social-responsibility
market developments in the automobile
Since 1995, Volkswagen has been actively involved in
industry, the degree to which the companys
the European business initiative CSR Europe
capacity is taken up is not always the same.
formerly the European Business Network for Social
Volkswagen can react to these uctuations fast
Cohesion (EBNSC). The aim of CSR Europe is to support
and exibly thanks to a working-time model
companies on their way to greater profitability,
based on a four-day week which enables the
sustainable growth and social progress. In the first
company to adapt to market developments
Social responsibility is an
important value which European
society can contribute to a
process of globalisation which is
otherwise primarily marked by
economic criteria alone.
Dr. Peter Hartz,
Member of the Board
of Management of
VOLKSWAGEN AG responsible
for Human Resources
2
Corporate Social Responsiblity Sustainability & Social Responsibility
without having to recruit or dismiss permanent staff. This
a brilliant idea for a new business related to
not only permits Volkswagen to safeguard jobs and retain
the subject of mobility can obtain funding.
the intellectual capital vested in its employees, it also
At the same time, Volkswagen is also helping
means, for example, that the transaction costs associated
to attract new employers (mainly automotive
with a corporate policy oriented solely to the short term
suppliers) to the region. This targeted
are not incurred.
relocation scheme includes the provision of

development sites and buildings as well as a
Providing for the future
range of service offerings. In order to fill the
Volkswagen has now transposed the concept of the
newly created jobs, a personnel agency which
factory that breathes to the working lives of its
was created as part of the AutoVision project
employees in what is called the Time Asset bond
offers services including temporary and
scheme. During their employment with the company,
permanent staff recruitment, employee
employees can choose to save up long-term Time Assets
training and human resources consultancy.
which then enable them to shape their personal working
In future, the AutoVision concept is to be
lives more exibly in line with their individual wishes. In
introduced at the Kassel and Emden plants,
contrast to conventional exitime accounts, employees
as well.
can choose to invest both working-hour credits and

portions of their gross pay in the scheme and earn
Creating jobs
interest on their investments. Taxes and duties only
The 5000x5000 project will enable some 3,500
become payable when the Time Assets are actually used.
job seekers to find work in Wolfsburg where
The savings are invested on the capital market in a
an innovative labour scheme has been
special fund which is professionally managed in order to
developed for the production of a new multi-
achieve maximum asset growth. The Time Assets saved
purpose vehicle under the aegis of the newly
are then used to enable employees to take early
founded company, Auto 5000 GmbH. It was
retirement or to fund an increase in their company
only thanks to this scheme that the new
pensions.
model could be built in Wolfsburg. Another

1,500 unemployed people will be taken on if
Large companies are often the prime movers of
production of the Microbus in Hanover gets
economic development for a whole region and as such
the go-ahead. The cornerstones of the scheme
have a responsible part to play in regional decision-
are a remuneration program which varies
making. The exceptional importance of Volkswagen for
according to working hours and in which the
the City of Wolfsburg led the company to take a
end of the working day depends on meeting
remarkable step: together with the City of Wolfsburg,
production targets. Regular, value-adding
we have set ourselves the goal of creating a dynamic
working hours average out over the year as a
and self-sufficient entrepreneurial environment in the
whole at 35 hours a week. Each week, every
region, thereby halving the number of people out of
employee receives an average of three hours
work. Since the AutoVision project was initiated in
customised training, half of which is paid at
1998, 3,700 new jobs have been created. The project
training-time rates. The monthly wage
comprises supporting start-ups, attracting suppliers,
amounts to DEM 4,500 plus a minimum
training the unemployed and redeveloping Wolfsburg
bonus of DEM 500 a month. Employees also
city centre. One key element of the start-up support
get to participate in profits. Thus, the
scheme is the InnovationsCampus where start-up
5000x5000 project not only helps safeguard
entrepreneurs can find office space, advice and
Germanys future as an industrial location but
services. There is also a supraregional start-up competi-
also helps to cut unemployment.
tion by the name of promotion in which experts with
16
17
Cooperative conict management and

social security
Groups companies and plants outside
Founded on Volkswagens German and European
objective is to ensure ongoing global dialogue
heritage, personal development, social security and
among the various employee representative
employee participation in the corporate decision-
bodies and with the company.
Europe are also represented. The core
making process all form important aspects of the

companys human resources policy.
Socially responsible behaviour

Cooperation between Works Council and
In accordance with German legislation (Works
management has led to various agreements,
Constitution Act) Volkswagens employees participate
including those governing Environmental
in the corporate decision-making process via the
Protection (see page 22), the Principles of
companys Supervisory Board and the Works Councils
Advancement for Women, and Partnership-
at the various plants and subsidiaries. This involvement
Based Conduct at Work. The aim of the Factory
is an expression of the internal democratic process and
Agreement on the Principles of Advancement
cooperative conflict management practised at
for Women, concluded in 1989, is to increase
Volkswagen. Employee and employer representatives
the proportion of women in the workforce and
have an equal number of seats on the companys
to ensure that women are also trained for
Supervisory Board. The Chairman of the Supervisory
management positions. The Factory Agree-
Board representing the employer has two votes, so
ment on Partnership-Based Conduct at Work,
that in the event of a tied vote, a decision can always be
which dates from 1996, makes it clear that
reached. The Works Council is elected by the employees
sexual harassment, mobbing and other forms
for a four-year term. The role of the Works Council is to
of discrimination on grounds of gender, race
monitor compliance with laws and regulations,
or religion, will not be tolerated at Volkswagen.
collective bargaining agreements and factory agree-
A declaration of social standards at
ments. It also has co-determination and participatory
Volkswagen, to be drawn up by the end of this
rights and can formally object to management deci-
year, will provide comprehensive regulation of
sions. The practice of involving the employees in the
social rights and labour relations at the Group.
decision-making process at Volkswagen has shown that

responsible employee participation is an important
Employee social security ranks high among
success factor for the company.
Europes political priorities and is widely

regulated by law. It forms a central pillar of
Pioneering the World Works Council
what is meant by the term social market
When Volkswagen founded its European Works Council
economy. To this extent, Volkswagen
in 1990 it was one of the first global players to have its
considers itself a European company. In
own transnational employee representative body. Since
Germany, the hub of the companys world-
then, the Group companies and plants in Central and
wide activities, the scope of employee social
Eastern Europe which are not yet members of the
security prescribed by law includes the
European Union have become fully fledged members of
following benefits:
the European Works Council. In 1999, Volkswagen

became the first company in the automotive industry to
set up its own Group World Works Council in which the
2
Cooperative Conflict Management Sustainability & Social Responsibility
social benefits in the form of a company
Health insurance: provides the insured with

benets such as medical treatment, medicines,
pension. In 2000, 10.6 percent of labour costs
hospital treatment and sickness benet.
were accounted for by company pensions. In

2001, this additional form of provision for old-
Long-term nursing care insurance: provides

benets in the event that the insured requires
age was converted to an in-company pension
long-term nursing care.
fund. As a result of the associated financing

via the capital market, only one percent of the
Annuity insurance: in addition to disability and

retirement pensions, this also assures employees of
cost of wages and salaries is now required to
medical or work-related benets such as rehabilitation.
safeguard our company pensions. All investment income is allocated directly to the capi-
Industrial accident insurance: provides cover in the
tal stock, thereby increasing employees
event of accidents at work.

Unemployment insurance: in the event of the insured
company pensions.
becoming unemployed, this provides financial

support over a period of at least four months and at
In the autumn of 1998, uniform minimum
most two years, in order to help the insured through
standards and procedures were laid down for
the transition period before other employment is
all plants across the Group in order to protect
found.
and promote health and safety at work. In

2000, the production plants of VOLKSWAGEN
The contributions to the legally prescribed health,
AG reported an average attendance level of
nursing care, pension and unemployment insurance are
95.9 percent. Our long-term efforts to improve
met in equal parts by the employer and the employee.
industrial health and safety helped to reduce
In the field of voluntary company pension plans,
the number of industrial accidents in 2000 to
Volkswagen is breaking new ground. For more than 50
a total of 724.
years, the company has granted its employees voluntary
Industrial accidents at VOLKSWAGEN AG
Number of industrial accidents

1,200
(German plants)
900
600
300
1997
1998
1999
2000
18
19
Corporate sustainability verication
productivity. Based on this comprehensive
The growing importance of sustainability for the inter-
analysis and a comparison between the DJSI
national financial markets provides clear indication
and the conventional Dow Jones Index, for
that sustainable corporate policies are built around
the first time the success of managing for
a core of profitability.
sustainability has become evident.

www.volkswagen-environment.de/knowledge/sustainability-social-responsibility
When it comes to evaluating companies, no matter
20
21
where they are based, economic aspects are increasing-
Since 2001, Volkswagen has also been
ly being joined by ecological and social metrics.
included in the FTSE4Good index, a major
Volkswagen was quick to identify this trend and has
index on the London Stock Exchange. The
supported it by applying for a number of validations. In
FTSE4Good index lists companies which, to a
sustainability-oriented financial markets, a companys
special extent, work towards environmental
sustainability performance joins the appraisal of other
sustainability, uphold and support universal
stakeholder parameters to provide an important exter-
human rights, take account of social consid-
nal measure of its past performance and a basis for
erations and develop positive relationships
confidence in its ability to master future challenges in
with stakeholders. Volkswagens shares are
sustainable fashion.
included in many socially responsible and

sustainability-oriented funds, ensuring the
The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World)
companys presence in this growth sector.
was established in 1999, and the European Dow Jones

Stoxx Sustainability Index in 2001. From the outset,
In 2000, the company returned the best results
Volkswagen has been among the listed companies in
in its corporate history. In conjunction with
both these indexes. In 2000, Volkswagen was also named
its exceptional sustainability ratings, this is an
Sustainability Leader in the Auto Manufacturers
indicator for Volkswagen that shareholder
category by the Zurich-based rating agency SAM
value is not diametrically opposed to the
Sustainability Group and has since retained this status.
notion of stakeholder value, but that the two
The DJSI is the first global index to reflect the perfor-
actually complement one another in a
mance of companies which meet the criteria laid down
meaningful way.
by SAM. Among the aspects verified are technology

leadership, social and environmental compatibility and
Contact:
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Environment, Industrial Safety and Traffic Systems
Rudolf Stobbe
Letter box 1896
38436 Wolfsburg, Germany
Tel. +49 5361 923248
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Reinhold Kopp
Head of Corporate Government Relations
Letter box 1882
Tel. +49 5361 978622
Environmental Policy & Management
5
6
Environmental Policy and Management

for the Volkswagen Marque
Volkswagen Environmental Management System
STEP*
Environmental Marque Committee (EMC)
Head of Research, Environment and Transportation
Board Member, Research and Development
Chief Environmental
Ofcer of the
Volkswagen Marque
Environmental
Planning
Environment
Technology
Environmental
Management Ofcer,
Product
Trafc
Systems
Environment, Industrial
Safety and Trafc Systems
Life Cycle
Assessment
Sustainability
Strategy
Polo
Golf
New
Beetle
Passat
Other
Models
Mosel
Pamplona
Other
Plants
Plant Environment Ofcers

Umweltpprojektverfolgung
Wolfsburg
Environmental
Management Ofcer,
Sales
Vehicle
Recycling
Product, Environment
and Trafc Systems
Environmental Project Supervision
Lupo
Environmental
Management Ofcer,
Production
Industrial Safety
(Work Environment)
Emden
Hanover
Environmental and Consumer Protection

Umweltpprojektverfolgung
Distributors
Dealers
Importers
*STEP, the Strategic Task Force for Environmental Protection, is a Group-wide body responsible for coordinating environmental policy amongst the
individual companies and regions within the Volkswagen Group
3
Environmental Policy Environmental Policy & Management
In 1995, Volkswagen replaced its Environmental
Our efforts in the direction of the widely
Guidelines with a Corporate Environmental Policy. As
debated concept of sustainability are based
practical implementation of this policy can only be
on our Corporate Environmental Policy. Right
achieved through ongoing dialogue with the workforce
now, in what is a fascinating process for us all,
and its representatives, a Factory Agreement on
we are considering how to make better use in
Environmental Protection was also concluded with the
this context of the particular expertise and
Company Works Council.
experience developed at Volkswagen in the

fields of work and social responsibility.
Preamble to Volkswagens Environmental Policy
Volkswagen develops, manufactures and markets motor vehicles worldwide with the aim of safeguarding personal mobility.
The company accepts responsibility for the continuous improvement of the environmental compatibility of its products and
for the increasingly conservative use of natural resources, with due regard to economic aspects. Accordingly, the company
makes environmentally efficient, advanced technology available worldwide and brings this technology to bear over the full
life cycle of its products. At all its corporate locations, Volkswagen works hand-in-hand with society and policy-makers to
22
23
shape a development process that will bring sustainable social and ecological benefits.
Basic Principles
1
It is the declared aim of Volkswagen in
all its activities to restrict the
environmental impact to a minimum
and to make its own contribution to
resolving environmental problems at
regional and global level.
2
It is Volkswagens aim to offer highquality automobiles which take equal
account of the expectations of its
customers with regard to environmental
compatibility, economy, safety, quality
and comfort.
3
In order to safeguard the long term
future of the company and enhance its
competitive position, Volkswagen is
researching into and developing
ecologically efficient products, processes
and concepts for personal mobility.
4
Those responsible for environmental
management at Volkswagen shall, on
the basis of the companys environmental policy, ensure that in conjunction
with suppliers, service providers,
retailers and recycling companies, the
environmental compatibility of its
vehicles and production plants is subject to a process of continuous improvement.
6
Providing frank and clear information
and entering into dialogue with
customers, dealers and the public is a
matter of course for Volkswagen.
Cooperation with policy-makers and
the authorities is based on a fundamentally proactive approach founded on
mutual trust and includes provision for
emergencies at each production site.
7
5
The Volkswagen Board of Management
shall, at regular intervals, check that
the companys environmental policy
and objectives are being observed and
that the Environmental Management
System is working properly. This shall
include evaluation of the recorded
environmentally relevant data.
In keeping with their duties, all

Volkswagen employees are informed,
trained and motivated in respect of
environmental protection. They are
under obligation to implement these
principles and to comply with statutory
provisions and official regulations as
these apply to their respective activities.
Contact:
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Environment, Industrial Safety and
Traffic Systems
Rudolf Stobbe
Letter box 1896
Tel. +49 5361 923248
Climate Protection and Fuel Consumption

The international community has set itself the goal of
Efforts to develop vehicles and drive systems
reducing worldwide anthropogenic emissions of
for the future are, however, subject to a com-
greenhouse gases (i.e. those caused by human activity).
bination of ecological and economic con-
In December 1997, it was decided at the United Nations
straints. Technological innovations have to be
Conference on Climate Change in Kyoto to reduce
scrutinised for environmental compatibility,
emissions of the six greenhouse gases
and their cost/benefit ratio and practical

value must be assessed. Yet it is becoming
carbon dioxide (CO2)
increasingly clear that some of the demands
methane
made of development processes are poten-
dinitrogen monoxide (laughing gas)
tially incompatible. Car design has to take into
fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
account customers wishes for higher levels of
partially halogenated CFCs
equipment and comfort in terms of ergono-
sulphur hexafluoride
mic interior design, ride quality and interior

acoustics, for example along with attractive
over the period 2008 to 2012 by at least five percent with
design and high performance. On the other
reference to 1990 levels. The European Union commit-
hand, engine and vehicle developers have to
ted itself to a reduction of at least eight percent and
fulfil increasingly strict active and passive
Germany 21 percent. Following the meeting of the
safety criteria, while at the same time ensur-
signatories in July 2001 in Bonn, ratification of what is
ing a further improvement in environmental
known as the Kyoto Protocol came closer to becoming a
compatibility by respecting more rigorous
reality.
exhaust emission standards and taking

account of the introduction of recycling
CO2 is the main cause of climate change. Twelve
systems. These conflicting goals can only be
percent of total anthropogenic emissions of this gas
met by achieving a proper balance between
come from road traffic, with cars accounting for 5.5
environmental measures which increase
percent. But with the steady growth in mobility
direct costs and the tangible cost savings
requirements throughout the world, this proportion is
which result from improved consumption,
likely to increase. In industrialised countries, the main
without compromising on performance.
reason for higher emissions is the fact that more and

more people prefer to live in the country and commute
In 1993, the German Association of the
to and from work, and leisure activities are becoming
Automotive Industry (VDA) undertook to
ever more popular. In newly industrialising countries,
reduce the average fuel consumption of its
the growth in emissions from road traffic is largely due
new cars by 25 percent by the year 2005,
to greater prosperity bringing higher levels of car
compared with 1990 levels.
ownership. Both developments indicate that the

automobile is set to remain a central element in
At European level, in 1995 the Association of
transport systems throughout the world. Consequently,
European Automobile Manufacturers, ACEA,
reducing fuel consumption and with it CO 2 emissions
gave an undertaking that it would reduce
is now a major development objective for automakers.
average CO2 emissions from new vehicles to
Volkswagens drive systems and fuel strategy (see page
140 g/km by 2008. This, too, represents a 25
52) reflects this focus.
3
Climate Protection and Fuel Consumption Environmental Policy & Management
percent reduction and thus complements the undertak-
The Lupo 3L TDI and Lupo FSI are the first
ing made by the VDA. Progress so far indicates that,
mass-produced vehicles in which a combina-
between 1995 and 2000, Volkswagen succeeded in
tion of various technical measures has
reducing corporate average fuel consumption by some
reduced fuel consumption per hundred
twelve percent. Apart from improved engine and vehicle
kilometres to three and five litres respectively.
design, one contributory factor here has been the
Moreover for the first time ever in a diesel
increase in sales of new vehicles with diesel engines in
vehicle exhaust emissions have been
recent years. Given the current state of the art, we can
reduced below the limits laid down by the
now define four key development factors which will
Euro 4 regulation due to become law in 2005.
help to achieve these highly ambitious fuel consumption and CO2 goals.
It is now up to Volkswagens engineers to

transfer these innovative technologies to
other models. Each model will require a
Key development factors for

fuel-efcient vehicles
specific blend of modifications to the vehicle

itself and its engine to compensate for the
individual factors responsible for increasing
1
Improved
combustion
consumption levels. Direct injection
Gearbox
modications
technology is likely to play a key role in

fulfilling the undertakings made for 2005 and
3
Lightweight
design
2008. But to operate efficiently, direct
44
Reduced
Reduzierung
friction
der
and
dragund des
Reibung
injection requires sulphur-free fuels.
Luftwiederstandes
Drop in CO2 emissions due to falling average eet consumption

%
ACEA CO2 Agreement
ACEA current status
Volkswagen
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
1995
Volkswagens contribution to meeting the ACEAs Voluntary Agreement on CO2

(0 % = CO2 emissions based on 1995 corporate average fuel economy)
2000
2005
2010
24
25
Curriculum Vitae
Vehicle life cycle inventories
Given our thorough knowledge of the
Since the first life cycle inventory for an entire vehicle
individual stages in the manufacture of a car it
was published in 1996 (for the Golf A3), Volkswagen has
is their weighting in the overall balance sheet
drawn up three further inventories: for the Lupo 3L TDI,
which constitutes by far the most complex
the petrol-engined Golf A4 (55 kW) and the diesel-
part of a life cycle inventory. The initial
engined Golf A4 TDI (66 kW).
production of materials reflected in the
www.volkswagen-environment.de/knowledge/environmental-management
inventory process in vast volumes of data for
Drawing up life cycle inventories has now become a
steel, plastic, aluminium, etc. is of greater
routine matter for Volkswagen. Between the rst and
environmental relevance than the actual
fourth inventories, the cost and effort involved were
process of transforming them into a car.
reduced by more than 50 percent ample demonstration

of the technical progress made on this front. The data
By contrast, drawing up a life cycle inventory
acquisition process is becoming more and more
for the service life of a vehicle (driving,
comprehensive and the system for deriving the input
refuelling, servicing) is relatively simple. As
data for production operations from the development
the basis for this part of the assessment,
specications has proved highly effective. Moreover, the
Volkswagen assumes a driving pattern based
program which evaluates the vast collection of data
on the statutory New European Driving Cycle
leaves little to be desired.
(NEDC) for measuring consumption and

emissions. All the required data for this cycle
is available for each vehicle. Analysis clearly
shows that with the exception of nitrogen
What Is a Life Cycle Inventory?

As the rst stage in a life cycle assessment, a life cycle inventory
involves an overall environmental assessment of products, production processes and services across their entire life cycle. This
begins with the extraction of the raw materials and continues
all the way to completion of the nished product, including its
packaging. The inventory identies the total raw material
requirements and includes data on their processing, not least the
quantities of energy required and resultant emissions to air and
water. In the case of consumer goods, the life cycle then continues
via the retailer and the consumer right down to disposal or postconsumer recycling. All transport processes involved are also
analysed. Life cycle inventories are drawn up in line with the
international standard ISO 14040/41.
Why Draw Up a Life Cycle Inventory?

Life cycle inventories supply environmental management systems with important data that can help improve the environmental characteristics of a product throughout its life cycle.
oxides in diesel exhaust emissions of

hydrocarbons, sulphur oxides and particulates account for only a tiny proportion of the
respective total emissions. The majority in
terms of volume is accounted for by carbon
dioxide (CO2).
3
Life Cycle Inventories Environmental Policy & Management
It is relatively difficult to compare the four models for
The business of drawing up an inventory for
which life cycle inventories have been drawn up to date
the manufacturing stage of the vehicles life
because the Lupo belongs to a different category than
cycle takes up too much time and effort for it
the Golf. The most similar inventory results are those
to be feasible for each and every model.
for the Golf A4 petrol and diesel models. A comparison
Instead, the scope of the existing Internation-
here shows that, over its entire life cycle, the TDI Golf
al Material Data System for cars (see page 74)
(diesel) emits three tonnes less CO2 than its petrol-
is to be extended in future by adding further
engined counterpart. In addition, on the fuel front, the
environmental data. This will lead to
production and distribution of petrol for the Golf A4
optimised data acquisition for the car
generates 40 kilograms more hydrocarbons than in the
production phase.
case of diesel. However, these advantages of the diesel

engine are offset by higher NOx and particulate
emissions.
26
27
Comparative life cycle inventory

%
Service life, recycling
100
90
Petrol and diesel

production
Car production
80
70
60
Materials production
50
40
30
20
10
Primary
energy
Steel
Plastics
Light
metals
CO2
NM VOC
SO2
NOx
PM
545 GJ
722 kg
253 kg
132 kg
36 t
162 kg
34 kg
77 kg
15 kg
Columns from left to right: Golf A3 (petrol), Golf A4 (petrol), Golf A4 TDI, Lupo 3L TDI
(100 % = values at foot of diagram)
PM: particulate mass
NM VOC: non-methane organic compounds (incl. propane, butane and benzene)
Less Is More
Innovative environmental protection cuts costs
Environmental protection operating costs
The cost of end-of-pipe environmental technology
In 2000, the introduction of a new system of
which treats pollution rather than preventing it, can be
parameters for recording the operating costs
clearly defined. Today, though, such technology is
of environmental protection measures was
progressively being replaced by fully integrated
completed at Volkswagens six German plants.
measures which aim to ensure that pollution is kept to a
The system records the percentage of total
minimum from the outset by tackling root causes. On
operating costs accounted for by environ-
the financial side, this makes it increasingly difficult to
mental protection in a specic area or for a
specifically identify and report environmental costs. As
particular cost centre. When changes take
a result, such details of costs as are published provide
place in structures or processes, the para-
only a limited and increasingly inadequate picture of
meters can be adjusted accordingly.
Volkswagens efforts to protect the environment.
Expenditure was assessed at EUR 190.3 million

for 2000 a signicant rise, largely explained
Investment in environmental protection
by the use of the more precise method of data
In the year 2000, Volkswagen invested EUR 27.1 million
acquisition. With the new system, costs can be
in environmental technology. In one current example of
calculated much more easily than in the past.
the companys integrated approach to environmental
In 2001, the system was also introduced at
protection, dry machining is being introduced in the
Volkswagens other European plants.
mechanical engineering sector in Wolfsburg to replace

some of the existing metal-cutting machines. This does
Product-related environmental costs
away with the need for cost-intensive cutting com-
As part of a long-term research project to
pound reprocessors, chip centrifuges and demulsifiers,
record product-related environmental costs
and thereby frees up floor space. This particular
we have carried out two pilot studies to
integrated environmental protection measure will make
analyse process-related environmental costs,
it possible to operate near-dry mechanical manufactur-
the costs of material residues and external
ing processes in future. In addition, replacing the
recycling costs in respect of a plastic fuel tank
machines and components that use cooling lubricants
in one case and a painted vehicle body in the
will create a more pleasant working environment for our
other. Because of the high cost and effort
employees.
involved in separate environmental cost

accounting, we are currently looking into
alternative methods of incorporating
environmental cost data into existing systems
in a way that makes strategic sense.
Capital investments and operating costs

for environmental protection
1998
1999
2000
Capital investments
34
42
27
Operating costs
86
150
190
Figures in EUR millions, German plants

excl. Zwickau/Mosel and Chemnitz
3
Environmental Costs/Eco-Audit Environmental Policy & Management
Passing the Test

Auditing environmental management
Along with training courses in Wolfsburg and
The process of establishing environmental manage-
consultation sessions at other plants, what we
ment systems has been completed at most Volkswagen
call international audits are also carried out
plants. In Europe, these systems are largely based on
to help plants to set up their own environ-
the European Unions Environmental Management
mental management systems. These have
and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Outside Europe, ISO
been taking place since 1999, when environ-
standard 14001, which is equivalent to EMAS in many
mental experts from Volkswagen Argentina,
key aspects, is used. Our plants in Hanover (Germany),
Volkswagen do Brasil, AutoEuropa (Portugal)
Polkowice (Poland), Uitenhage (South Africa), Crdoba
and Volkswagens German headquarters
(Argentina) and Puebla (Mexico). achieved initial
investigated the environmental situation in
certification during 2000.
Anchieta (Brazil). In addition, colleagues from

across the Group are frequently involved in
Some plants are currently being restructured or in the
audits at the companys German plants.
process of setting up new production activities and
Today, these audits runs very smoothly and
have not quite achieved their goals yet but they will
offer a number of benefits for all concerned:
soon follow suit. We are concentrating our activities on

the plants in Taubat (Brazil), Changchun (China),
Martin (Slovakia) and Brussels (Belgium).
Internal audits are regularly carried out by trained

personnel in order to check the effectiveness and
They enable a transfer of know-how to

take place.
They ensure a high uniform international
level of auditing.
They enable closer personal contacts to be
efficiency of our environmental management systems.
established between environmental experts
At present no serious inadequacies have been identi-
from the various plants on different
fied, but management has received many suggestions

relating to technical, organisational or financial
continents.
They provide local colleagues with support
improvements. These have mainly focused on saving
in the run-up to external environmental
energy and resources and protecting the soil and
certification processes.
groundwater.
Once each plant in Germany has been
certified at least once, the next task is to
establish and maintain such environmental
management systems at all of the Groups
plants worldwide.
28
29
Pulling Together
Volkswagen employees help the environment
On the next few pages, we aim to keep you informed about the progress of the programmes and initiatives
described in our 1999/2000 Environmental Report, as well as reporting on new projects.
Human Resource Development and Environmental Communication Programme
HR development
Initiatives/projects
Information/motivation
Management seminars
Since 1997, 205 out of a total of 943
senior and junior managers have
received training in 13 half-day seminars (Volkswagen Marque, Germany)
e.g.
Company newspaper Autogramm
Recycling Initiative (see page 31)
Environmental Report
Internal Environmental Award

competition (siehe Seite 32)
Environmental statements
Environmental Service Centre
Environment Newsletter
Training of supervisors
Training of 733 out of 2,021 VOLKSWAGEN AG supervisors in 2-day
workshops.
Environment specialists
Training of 549 specialists from
VOLKSWAGEN AG as environmental
specialists in 37 seminars since 1990.
All participants act as multipliers in
their capacity as supervisors, specialists or section managers.
Umweltbrief
Poster campaigns
Factory meetings
Open days
Green factory tour
Intranet
Internet
Suggestions scheme
Green factory rally for apprentices
Recycling-friendly design:
13 seminars with 128 participants.
Eco-Centre becomes
Environmental Service Centre (ESC):
The ESC provides a location for theoretical instruction and a base for the
many environmental service activities
of the apprentices at the Wolfsburg
plant. An average of 20 to 24 apprentices (industrial/technical or commercial) attend the Centre at any one time
making for a total of around 510 a
year.
Measuring noise levels in the production sector: (from left) Patrik During, Sandra Hackel, Fabian Haufe,
Klaus Krolik (ESC trainer), Christian Camehl, Jens Klinner
3
Employees Environmental Policy & Management
Employee projects
Green Team Recycling Scheme

A workforce initiative becomes an
institution
Results for 2000
(as reported in 1997 and 1999)
or reduction of material requirements
Cost cutting through resale of recyclable packaging

Plastics
EUR 0.72 million
Progress and goals
Cardboard packaging
EUR 0.36 million
The scheme has been in existence since 1994
Nopa foam
EUR 0.12 million
and involves the collection of packaging mate-
Total
EUR 1.2 million
rial such as plastic caps, plastic film and cardboard packaging and its resale to the original
Waste reduction
suppliers or recycling companies. The project
Cardboard packaging
219,110 kg
involves employees who, for age or health rea-
Plastics
117,814 kg
sons, are not able to work in the production
Nopa foam
37,447 kg
sector. This way we take some of the strain off
Total
374,369 kg
the environment and at the same time safeguard the jobs of older or disabled colleagues
Savings per vehicle
in a way that makes economic sense, says
1996: EUR 0.09
Norbert Loeper, initiator of the project.
1997: EUR 0.14

1998: EUR 1.23
1999: EUR 2.33
2000: EUR 1.96
2001: EUR 2.46 (1st quarter)
Recycling-friendly design
In the seminar entitled Recycling-friendly Design, our
The 13 seminars already staged in collabora-
design engineers learn how the decisions they make
tion with Volkswagen Coaching GmbH for a
when developing new vehicles inuence the nature,
total of 128 participants have been a resound-
efciency and economics of the end-of-life-vehicle
ing success. The long-term aim is to provide
recycling process. They are introduced to the statutory
training for some 1,000 engineers.
regulations on vehicle recycling, material recycling from

end-of-life vehicles, the goals and basic principles of
recycling-friendly design and the use of dismantling
studies as an aid to the design process.
30
31
First internal Volkswagen

Environmental Award
The Environmental Award is intended to
underline our commitment to the principle of
sustainability. We have to achieve a balance
Environmental pro-
between ecological and economic considera-
tection at Volkswagen
tions and social responsibility if the lives of
depends to a very
future generations are to be assured. The Envi-
large extent on the
ronmental Award is a way of rewarding
willingness of the
achievements, enhancing motivation and
workforce to get in-
demonstrating that sustainability represents a
volved. Many of our employees have
daily challenge for each and every one of us.
displayed a commitment to protect-
This was how Uwe Bartels, member of the
ing the environment that goes well
VOLKSWAGEN AG Group Works Council, and
beyond the call of duty. The
Rudolf Stobbe, Environment, Industrial Safety
Environmental Award was created to
and Trafc Systems explained the reasoning
help the company to reward that
behind the introduction of the Environmental
commitment.
Award.
Rudolf Stobbe,
Three projects have so far been singled out for
Chief Environmental Officer of the
an award: employees at the Brunswick plant
Volkswagen Marque
succeeded in reducing varnish consumption in

the brake disc paintshop; at the Emden plant
the use of salt on the roads in winter was minimised; and at the Wolfsburg plant the use of
salt-bath hardening techniques in the tool
hardening bay was drastically reduced and
replaced by gas heat treatment. In future, the
award will be presented every two years.
Volkswagen Environmental Award 2001: (from left) Uwe Bartels, Herbert Engel, Frank Ludewig,
Wolfgang Feder, Uwe Hentschel, Oliver Frey, Rudolf Stobbe
3
Employees/Environmental History Environmental Policy & Management
Water, Soil and Air

Environmental history project
The 1950s saw one production record after another
being broken at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg.
Demand for the Beetle, the symbol of the German
1958 saw Volkswagens rst waste incineration plant

come into service
economic miracle, was buoyant, and production

capacity at the plant located between the Mittelland
environmental protection at Volkswagen.
canal and the River Aller had to be stepped up time and
In 2000, Volkswagen commissioned a
again. This rapid development inevitably had a lasting
historian to work closely with the companys
impact on the surrounding environment, and in various
archivists on an investigation of the early
parts of the company a continuous learning process
history of environmental issues at the parent
began. The engineers faced the complex task of
plant in Wolfsburg. The resultant book:
ensuring that the modern manufacturing technology
Wasser, Boden und Luft. Beitrge zur
being introduced was compatible with the plants
Umweltgeschichte des Volkswagen-Werks
sensitive closed loop water system. However, the
Wolfsburg by Malte Schumacher, will be
companys early awareness of the way in which water,
published early in 2002 as the latest in a series
waste and emissions were handled was subsequently to
of historical documents from the Volkswagen
be influenced by more widespread developments in the
archives.
outside world. The general decline in raw material

prices during the 1960s led to cut-backs in the tried-
Contact:
and-tested recycling procedures at the plant, as these
VOLKSWAGEN AG
were no longer economical. Then, in the 1970s, the
Communications, Historical Archives,
worldwide oil crisis and the advent of new environ-
Letter box 1974
mental legislation in Germany meant that the company
had to rethink the way it handled energy and emissions.
Tel. +49 5361 925667
At the same time, an increasing awareness of environ-
Fax +49 5361 976957
mental issues meant that internal corporate structures
e-mail: unternehmensarchiv@volkswagen.de
also changed, triggering the institutionalisation of
Increased production
of chromium-plated
hubcaps meant more
wastewater in 1956
32
33
Goals and Measures

The Volkswagen Environmental Report 1999/2000 listed
The list that follows describes our present goals
39 major environmental goals and measures as well as
in protecting the environment and developing
describing many detailed objectives and individual
the concept of sustainability, as well as
activities set out in the validated Environmental
indicating the status of the goals published in
Statements published by the various plants. Of those 39
our previous report.
goals, 24 have so far been achieved.
New and Existing Goals

Sustainability and social
responsibility
Expansion of the AutoVision concept to

other plants
Volkswagen will develop prototypes with

alternative drive systems
Developing sustainable mobility

scenarios
Integration of the automotive industrys

International Material Data System
(IMDS) into internal procedures
By 2005 Volkswagen will offer FSI technology in all its petrol engine series
Active involvement in international

sustainability initiatives
Participation in the 2002 World Summit
on Sustainable Development in
Johannesburg
Expansion of dialogue and cooperation
with stakeholders
Ongoing presence in the leading
sustainability indexes worldwide
Further development of sustainabilityoriented management systems and tools
Testing of new noise abatement technologies: GPS data acquisition and 3D noise
mapping
Procuring and producing
Further development of environmental
certication procedures (including pilot
projects with universities and suppliers)
Local projects to reduce unemployment
Development of low-odour binder

systems at the Hanover sand-casting
foundry by 2002
Further development of innovative

approaches to provision for old age
Further development of solar wastewater

technology
Maintaining high quality standards in

environmental and sustainability
reporting
Further development of low-emission

paint technology at German and overseas
plants
Development of an internationally
binding declaration on social standards
Adaptation and introduction of the

register for handling potentially waterpolluting substances on the basis of the
Volkswagen standards for foreign plants
Environmental management
Certication of the plants in Bratislava,
Martin, Taubat and Changchun in line
with to ISO 14001 and of the Brussels
plant in line with EMAS and ISO 14001
Optimisation of the systematic acquisition
and documentation of environmental
data from non-European plants
Extension of the international network of
Volkswagen Environmental Ofcers and
expansion of the Intranet offering in the
eld of environmental protection and
industrial health and safety
Further expansion of the companys
Internet presence in the eld of
environmental protection
Establishment of an Internet information
system on sustainability issues
Continuation of life cycle inventories of
vehicles and components
Targeted expansion of training activities
for Volkswagen employees and our
partners (e.g. more Priority A workshops
for suppliers)
Measures to reduce freshwater consumption at production plants

Introduction of transponder systems to
improve waste logistics
Product, researching and developing
In Germany, Volkswagen will play its part
in meeting the Voluntary Agreement on the
part of the VDA (German Association of the
Automotive Industry) by reducing average
fuel consumption of our newly registered
vehicles by 25 percent between 1990
and 2005
At European level, Volkswagen will play
its part in meeting the undertaking given
by the ACEA (Association of European
Automobile Manufacturers) vis--vis the
European Commission, to reduce the CO2
emissions of the new vehicle population
to an average of 140 g/km by 2008
Volkswagen will try to meet the Euro 4
exhaust emissions standard for diesel
vehicles, too, ahead of time
Volkswagen will continue to campaign

actively for the rapid introduction of
sulphur-free fuels
(sulphur content <10 ppm)
Since 1980, Volkswagen has reduced
particulate emissions from its dieselengined vehicles by more than 90 percent. By 2005, when the Euro 4 standard
is introduced, this level will have been
cut by a further 50 percent
Development and adaptation of new
jointing techniques, in particular low
temperature techniques, which will make
assembly more environmentally
compatible
In newly developed models, Volkswagen
will be aiming to undercut the mandatory external noise emission limits by at
least 1 dB(A)
Marketing and recycling
INVENT (intelligent trafc and userfriendly technology) research programme
to increase trafc efciency and road
safety
Systematic operational introduction of
the Volkswagen Dial-a-Bus system to
continue
Development of new applications and
technical system components for the
Mietermobil project
As early as 2005, we are aiming to assure a
recycling rate of 95 percent in our new
vehicles
Development of our own dismantling
centre
Development of new types of tool
concepts for more efcient dismantling
Development of software for the virtual
recycling of end-of-life vehicles
Continued expansion of our ELV
recycling network in Germany to
encompass some 200 operators
Support for European importers in
implementing the ELV Directive at
national level
3
Goals and Measures Environmental Policy & Management
Status of Goals Dened in 1999/2000 Environmental Report

Goals Dened in 1999/2000 Environmental Report
Remarks
Status
Environmental management
Ongoing
Continuation of the EMAS certication and re-certication process

for all European production plants, with non-European sites being
certied in line with ISO 14001
Ongoing
Operation of an international Environmental Information Service to

collect, communicate and control environmental data
Development of appropriate communications platform

completed
Establishment of an international auditing team to promote the

harmonisation of environmental management standards throughout
the Group
Team deployed in 1999 and 2000 in Brazil and Spain.

Eleven international environmental standards established
and introduced in spring 2000
Continuation of our international environmental reporting, with

more extensive integrated environmental communications, both
external and in-house
Training/exchange of experience among employees from outside Germany in environmental reporting /communication.
Development of international environmental sponsor system
Expansion of environmental reporting in the Group-wide intranet

and in the global Internet
www.volkswagen-environment.de and Intranet environmental site expanded
Production of further life cycle inventories for cars and components,

in particular for the Golf
Presentation of life cycle inventories for Golf A4 (55 kW

petrol engine and 66 kW TDI)
Extension of environmental training activities for Volkswagen staff

and for our external partners along the product life-cycle chain
Extended (see page 30)
Continuation of the AutoVision project, with the aim of halving

unemployment in the Wolfsburg region
3,700 new jobs created in the Wolfsburg area since 1998
Rationalisation of the analysis of substitute materials through the

use of IT-based material evaluation and comparison systems
+
+
Further reduction in noise emissions from Volkswagens production

plants within the scope of a future-oriented noise abatement
planning process
Further optimisation of our environmental management systems and

integration of environmental management into our internal business
processes
System extended
Noise maps drawn up for all German plants. Noise levels
agreed with authorities
Product, Researching and Developing

In Germany, Volkswagen will continue to play its part in meeting the
Voluntary Agreement on the part of the VDA (Association of German
Automobile Manufacturers) to reduce the fuel consumption of the
vehicle population coming on to the market by 25 percent between
1990 and 2005
At European level, Volkswagen will continue to play its part in

meeting the undertaking given by the ACEA (Association of European
Automobile Manufacturers) vis--vis the European Commission, to
reduce the CO2 emissions of the new vehicle population to an average
of 140 g/km by 2008
Ongoing
Volkswagen will be building and exhibiting an increasing number of

prototypes with fuel cell drive
Presentation of Bora HyMotion in November 2000
The majority of our petrol-engined passenger cars will meet the Euro
4 exhaust emissions standard
Standards met (see list of models with all engine types on

the Internet)
In the eld of direct-injection petrol engines, we will be bringing vehicles with fuel-stratied injection technology (FSI) to market
Lupo FSI, Golf FSI, Polo FSI: 2nd half of 2001
Volkswagen will continue to campaign for the rapid introduction of

sulphur-free fuels (i.e. with a sulphur content of less than 10 ppm)
Cooperation with Shell on introduction of Shell Optimax
Since 1980, Volkswagen has reduced particulate emissions from its

diesel-engined vehicles by more than 90 percent. By 2005, when the
Euro 4 standard is introduced, this level will have been cut by a
further 50 percent
To achieve further weight reductions we will be developing magnesium alloys for a wide range of applications. Volkswagen will also be
computing the parameters required to assure the optimised recyclability of magnesium
In newly developed models, we will be aiming to undercut the mandatory external noise emission limits by at least 1 dB(A)
+ goal achieved o ongoing goal not achieved
Ongoing
Exhaust emissions strategy for diesel engines (see page 59)
o
+
+
Further magnesium transmission casings designed and in

production. A creep resistant magnesium alloy has been
developed and is being introduced. In-house recycling in
Kassel
Achieved
34
35
Goals Dened in 1999/2000 Environmental Report
Ongoing
Procuring and Producing

Examination and introduction of advanced mechanical engineering techniques, such as dry machining and low-volume
lubrication
Examination of alternative methods of wastewater treatment
using solar technology
o
o
In collaboration with the Institute for Solar Research, a solar

plant has been built and tested, rst in Wolfsburg and then in
Brazil
Worldwide standards for Volkswagen have been established
Upgrading of painting technology at plants outside Germany

within the scope of modernisation measures, to match the stateof-the-art applied in Germany
Establishment of a register to optimise our handling of potentially water-polluting substances
Completion of the remediation measures at the former sludge

landll at the Wolfsburg plant and at the Emden plant landll
in the year 2000
+o
Remediation has been completed in Wolfsburg. The rst

phase is under way in Emden
+o
Several decentralised closed-loop water cycles for recycling

oil-contaminated water from mechanical production and
paintshops in Wolfsburg have been set up. Storage and
utilisation of rainwater also introduced at Polkowice plant
Creation of decentralised closed-loop water cycles in the production sector to help conserve resources
Preparation of an overarching waste management concept to

help reduce amounts of waste, in line with the approach set out
in the German Waste Management and Product Recycling Act
36
37
Remarks
Status
Development of a computerised register has been completed
Waste management concepts (e.g. for paintshop, mechanical

production, plastic component production) have been set up
Introduction of electronic communications in our materials

data system by the year 2000. Our suppliers will be able to transmit electronic materials safety data sheets with ease, via the
Internet
Organisation of Volkswagens 3rd Environmental Symposium

and presentation of environmental awards to innovative suppliers in 2001
In 2000 and 2001, concentration on supplier workshops in

small groups
Sophisticated simulation tools have been developed for

analysing trafc issues. With the help of these programs,
innovative solutions for improving trafc ows have been
developed and their potential and feasibility assessed
Marketing and Recycling

Development and renement of simulation tools to replicate
road trafc scenarios with the aim of optimising trafc ow and
emissions
International Material Data System IMDS introduced (see

page 74)
Presentation of the concepts drawn up within the framework of

the MOTIV project concerning up-to-the minute parking information, intermodal transport information and the networking
of information sources via the MOTIV consortium in mid-2000
Following extensive trials, Volkswagens Dial-a-Bus service is

ready for market. The next step is to set about systematically
introducing this innovative link in the intermodal door-to-door
mobility chain
As early as 2005, we are aiming to assure a recycling rate of 95

percent in our new vehicles
Production of dismantling studies for all vehicles built in or

after 1985, in order to achieve a continuous improvement in
design for recycling
Dismantling studies have been drawn up for all models from

1985 onwards and are updated for current models every six
months
Since July 1, 2001, brake uid taken back by dealers has been
reconditioned by a subcontractor and returned to the
manufacturer who uses it in the production of high quality
brake uid
Ongoing addition to the list of parts/materials recovered via the

workshop waste management system
Since the 1st quarter of 2000, ten further waste packaging

fractions have been taken back by dealers free of charge
Production of dismantling information for ELV recycling operators (International Dismantling Information System IDIS) in
EU countries
IDIS is now offered in eight languages for all member states

and distributed free of charge to all certied recycling
operators in EU countries
Establishment of a nationwide ELV take-back and recycling network in Germany
A network of 1,600 dealers is in place, with some 40 qualied

recycling operators from the Call Parts System
Development of concepts designed to increase the ow of ELVs

recovered via the take-back points in our dealership organisation and sent for recycling
Creation of a closed-loop materials cycle for brake uid and testing of recycled uid for its suitability for use as rst ll
+ goal achieved o ongoing goal not achieved
Carried out
Ongoing
First pilot project launched in 2001
Ongoing
Products
5
6
Lightweight design I: Lupo 3L TDI,

aluminium subframe with forged
aluminium wishbones
Leading the Field

Pro-environmental product policy
and innovations
environmental performance of the product over its
Attractive and innovative products are the
point to the aspects of our vehicles where we can best
hallmark of every successful automotive
take action to help ease the burden on the environment.
company. At the same time innovation is also
After all, it is much simpler and more efficient to protect
a good measure of a manufacturers commit-
the environment right from the start rather than tackle
ment to environmental best practice. Much is
the laborious job of cleaning up the pollution after it
at stake, since the car is associated with a
occurs.
entire life cycle. Specially prepared life cycle inventories
large number of environmentally significant

energy and material streams at every stage of
To begin at the beginning: the first stage in the life cycle
its life cycle, from the production and
of every vehicle is the production and extraction of the
extraction of raw materials to the disposal of
raw materials which will be used in its manufacture.
the vehicle at the end of its useful life. Today,
Volkswagen makes sure that the materials it uses are
though, that life hardly ever ends, as a large
environmentally friendly and involves its suppliers in
proportion of every end-of-life vehicle is now
this process. In the case of one lightweight material,
recycled and used as raw materials or as a
magnesium, we are actually involved in the production
source of energy for building new products.
process itself.
So instead of from cradle to grave it is now

more appropriate to describe the vehicle life
We build our vehicles at our various plants around the
cycle as a journey from cradle to cradle.
world in compliance with environmental management

systems which in most cases have been certified in line
Lets take a closer look at Volkswagens
with either the EC Eco-Audit Regulation or ISO 14001.
innovative product policy and see how it

matches up to ecological standards. From the
outset, environment-friendly innovation is at
the heart of our vehicle development process.
The aim is to continuously improve on the
Lightweight design II: Lupo 3L TDI,

bodyshell
4
Product Policy Products
Lightweight design III: Lupo 3L TDI,

magnesium steering wheel
Primary energy requirements, Golf A4, 1.4 l, 55 kW

petrol engine, fuel consumption 6.55 litres/100 km
This enables us to steadily reduce productionrelated environmental impacts. Life cycle

inventories show that it is the vehicles
service life, and the associated energy
Service life
consumption in particular, which has a
8.4 %
Fuel and oil production
crucial impact on the overall environmental
10.8 %
compatibility of any car. This has two

important implications: firstly, there is an
7.7 %
Car production
onus on Volkswagen as a manufacturer to

reduce fuel consumption by introducing
73.1 %
technical innovations such as TDI and FSI

engine technologies or lightweight design
techniques. Secondly, drivers themselves
must ensure that they make the most of this
technology, since driving style has a significant influence on CO2 and noise emissions.
Primary energy requirements, Golf A4, 1.9 l, 66 kW

TDI diesel engine, fuel consumption 4.95 litres/100 km
We can, and do, provide support here, for

along with the tips listed in the vehicle log
book, we also offer fuel efficiency and road
safety training courses (see page 110). And of
Service life
course its not just the environment that

9.2 %
Fuel and oil production
benefits but also our customers wallets.
12.6 %
Finally, however painful it may be, we have to

Car production
accept that no car goes on forever. In
8.2 %
Germany, when a Volkswagen reaches the end

70.0 %
of its life, its owner can return it to one of

approximately 1,600 authorised ELV take-back
points from which it will then be sent to an
authorised ELV recycling operator. Here the
vehicle will be dismantled and the materials

and components recycled in the most envi-
Contact:
ronmentally appropriate manner. In this way,
VOLKSWAGEN AG
most of the old vehicle can be reengineered as
Environmental Management Officer, Product
a component, material or energy source for
Dieter Pundt
use in the manufacture of new products.
Letter box 1768/0

Tel. +49 5361 976800
38
39
FS
Vorneweg statt nur dabei Produkte
FSI
4
The Joys of Saving

Direct Injection Takes the Petrol Engine into the Future
The motor industry is notoriously fond of
Milestones on the Road to FSI
acronyms. Volkswagen itself coined one of the
most famous ones 25 years ago when it brought
out the Golf GTI. But times, and priorities, have
Pre-development completed in
18 months
changed. Today the focus is on cutting fuel
Development to production standard

in 30 months
consumption and emissions. So its time for
110 patents led
Volkswagen to unleash a new set of initials that
250 prototypes used in worldwide

testing
will take the motoring world by storm: FSI. Three

letters that stand for benchmark engine technolo-
450 engines used in road trials or

rig tests
gy in terms of both fuel economy and emissions.
75,000 hours of rig testing

12,000,000 test kilometres leave
nothing to chance
On display on the Volkswagen stand was a silver-
Direct-injection petrol engines are not
painted Lupo, distinguished from other members of its
actually a new invention in fact they were
family only by the modest badge on its tail. But its quiet
first developed in the early 1950s but new,
exterior sheltered some spectacular engineering, point-
stringent emissions scenarios have generated
ing the way to a cleaner future. That was back in Sep-
fresh interest in their potential. In this highly
tember 1999, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The
challenging field, Volkswagens success with
Volkswagen model in question was the first vehicle from
FSI, which stands for Fuel Stratified Injection,
a European manufacturer to feature a direct-injection
has surpassed all expectations.
petrol engine and new exhaust gas aftertreatment technology designed to comply with the Euro 4 emissions
standard. Volkswagens Chairman, Dr. Ferdinand Pich,
believes that direct injection will be the most widespread petrol engine technology on the market by 2005.
By that time, he says, Volkswagen will be offering
customers FSI technology in all its engine series.
0
3
As the rst of a new generation of particularly fuelefcient, low-emission petrol-engined models, the 1.4 l,
77 kW Volkswagen Lupo FSI has an average fuel
consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 km, a reduction of up to
30 percent compared with conventional petrol-engined
1.4-litre engine, Lupo FSI
models of similar output. Roughly half of this saving is

accounted for by the new engine technology. At the same
direct injection to the petrol engine as well.
time, the Lupo FSI also complies with the strictest
Particularly in the part-load range, when
emissions legislation of all time, the Euro 4 standard,
the vehicle is travelling at moderate speeds
which is due to come into force in 2005.
and relatively little power is required, the fuel

consumption of petrol engines tends to
In a survey of manufacturers conducted by the German
compare unfavourably with diesels. This is
magazine auto motor und sport in autumn 2000,
because at part load the air supply in petrol
Volkswagen was rated as having the greatest know-how
engines is severely throttled to reduce output,
in the field of environment-friendly product design 48
and that impedes their breathing. To
percent of the 127,000 respondents ranked Volkswagen
minimise the fuel consumption of the petrol
in first place. One of the key reasons for this top ranking
engine at part load, our development
is that, for many years now, the company
engineers decided to inject the fuel directly
has on its own initiative remained at

the forefront of the development
and deployment of environment-friendly automotive
technologies. Volkswagen has voluntarily
into the combustion

chamber with
high excess air.
This is the
revolutionary
aspect of FSI
undertaken to achieve a
and it largely
25 percent reduction in
avoids the need
the average fuel consumption of its fleet over the

period 1990 to 2005
and is one of the few
manufacturers who
can already offer a
petrol engine lineup for passenger cars
which is Euro 4compliant almost across
the board. Nevertheless, it
was always going to take another quantum leap in
for fuel-thirsty
throttling of the engine
in order to regulate
output. It was our
completely new combustion concept, based on
direct injection of the fuel
into the combustion
chamber, that provided the
key to achieving major fuel
savings while at the same time
improving output and torque. One of the
technology for us to achieve that 25 percent reduction
most challenging aspects was that, in the
in fuel consumption by 2005, says Dr. Karl-Heinz
space of a few thousandths of a second, the
Neumann, former Executive Director Powertrain
fuel charge had to be mixed with the air in the
Development at Volkswagen.
combustion chamber and propelled as an

ignitable mixture to the spark plug. This
It all started with the TDI

On the diesel front, Volkswagen engineers have been
setting fuel consumption and emissions standards for
some time now with the TDI engine. This same mission
led them to explore the possibilities of applying
called for complete revision of the piston and
4
FS
inlet port geometry and the spray pattern, explains Dr.
The fuel is injected using a common rail
Rudolf Krebs, Head of Advanced Gasoline Development.
system at a pressure of 100 bar. In a further

efficiency-enhancing measure, plasma-
The FSI engine is based on the familiar 1.4-litre engine
coated cylinder liners are used to reduce
with four valves per cylinder. But the technical
friction losses. Another advantage of direct
similarities with the conventional engine virtually stop
injection is that it prevents the build-up of
there. The cylinder head, the pistons and the intake and
fuel deposits on the inner walls of the
exhaust system in particular have all been extensively
injection manifold, so that the engine
modified. The 110 new patents applied for on this
responds more spontaneously and cold-
innovative engine speak for themselves.
starting performance is improved. Of course,

these various advantages only came about as
The fact that the unit on which the new FSI engine is
a result of a large number of individual
based is also used in the Polo and Golf series will
improvements. The position of the injector,
facilitate the introduction of FSI technology in higher
the design of the combustion chamber and
model ranges.
The engineers thought long and hard before opting for

FSI. Extensive studies and measurements were carried
out which showed that direct injection is the single
0
7
most effective technology for reducing the fuel

consumption and emissions of petrol engines.
Alternatives such as variable valve timing and variable

compression ratio, homogenous lean-burn operation
and cylinder cut-off, by contrast, were shown to be less

successful.
Direct injection into the combustion chamber
The combustion process
The FSI engine offers unrivalled efficiency in its class. At

low engine output the fuel supply is reduced without
simultaneously throttling the air supply. At high speeds

and at higher engine rpm, the FSI engine runs on a
homogenous fuel/air mixture, much like a conventional

petrol engine, although with greater efficiency. One of
the innovations of the FSI engine is the tumble plate
which divides the inlet port and imparts a rolling
movement to the intake air. In lean-burn mode, this
Stratied charge mode
Homogenous mode
effect causes the fuel charge to concentrate around the

spark plug.
Main operating modes of the FSI engine
Describing the new process, Dr. Krebs explains how
intake system, the complex control of
The FSI combustion concept with tumble plate allows
injection, ignition and exhaust gas recircula-
unthrottled operation with high excess air. At the same
tion, are among the key areas mentioned by
time the combustion process is insulated in the centre
Dr. Krebs. We developed hundreds of
of the combustion chamber, which reduces heat losses.
different versions before we found the ideal
And as he goes on to say: Both effects combine to
solution, he adds.
produce high fuel savings.
SI
Lupo FSI, exhaust system
Sulphur-free petrol improves

fuel economy
New sensor results in clean emissions
The sulphur content of fuel remains a
When combined with what, in some respects, is a
problem for FSI engines at their current stage
completely new emission control system, direct petrol
of development, since the sulphur builds up
injection guarantees substantial progress on the
and progressively reduces the efficiency of the
environmental front. In the past, one problem with
NOx adsorber catalyst. And while at exhaust
direct-injection petrol engines has been their nitrogen
temperatures of over 650 C this contamina-
oxide (NOx) emissions. In all such engines, emissions of
tion of the catalyst can be reversed, such
these ozone precursors increase under lean, fuel-
temperatures are not normally reached under
efficient operating conditions. In response, Volkswagen
urban driving conditions. Consequently,
developed an additional NOx adsorber catalyst which,
sulphur build-up would become a problem if
aided by highly efficient exhaust gas recirculation,
a car was only used around town. The answer
suppresses these emissions. At the heart of the system is
lies in the new NOx sensor which makes its
a sensor a world first which monitors the NOx
first appearance in the FSI engine. This sensor
contamination of the catalyst. When the catalysts
can measure the level of contamination in the
storage capacity is exhausted, the sensor sends a signal
adsorber catalyst precisely and when necess-
to the engine management which enriches the fuel/air
ary triggers a regeneration routine whereby
mixture for a short time. The rapid switch to rich
the sulphur is desorbed. The increased fuel
operation converts the adsorbed nitrogen oxides in the
consumption which this purging process
catalyst into harmless nitrogen. These engine functions
involves is kept to a minimum.
are controlled automatically without the driver being

aware that anything is happening. The finger-like
FSI engines from Volkswagen can run on any
ceramic sensor operates like a miniature chemical
fuel currently available at the pumps with an
laboratory, in which all the data is permanently
octane rating of 95 or 98. However, to reap the
monitored, explains Dr. Krebs. The most intensive
full benefits of the direct-injection engine, it
development input on this sensor went into the control
is best to use sulphur-free fuel. Incidentally,
software, which we developed ourselves.
such fuels immediately improve the emissions of conventional manifold-injection
Clearly, this was an extremely complex task. During
engines, too. In its development work on the
development work, nothing goes out-of-date faster than
FSI engine, from the outset Volkswagen
software, says product manager Peter Bohne. One of
sought close collaboration with a fuel
the big challenges was to maintain an identical hard-
manufacturer. Deutsche Shell AG developed
and software status for all the cars involved in the test
its new Shell Optimax fuel in cooperation with
drive programme. In the course of development trials
Volkswagen. This is one of a new generation
on FSI, 450 engines covered a total of twelve million
of fuels which is expected to herald a new era
kilometres either out on the road or on test rigs.
in injection and exhaust technology.

Volkswagen is convinced that the many
positive attributes of this type of fuel will
ensure that it is rapidly embraced by all other
oil companies, too.
www.volkswagen.de/FSI
Setting a Good Example

Product innovations
Traditionally, Volkswagens environmental reports have
Assisted by lightweight, aerodynamic design
contained detailed profiles of all the models in our
and a frugal diesel engine, the Lupo 3L TDI
portfolio, including data on engine output, fuel
became the first standard production car in
consumption, emissions, materials, recyclability and
the world to achieve average fuel economy of
technical innovations. However, a survey of readers of
less than three litres per 100 km (see page 50).
the previous report revealed that the majority would
Moreover, the Lupo FSI is Volkswagens first
prefer just a representative overview of significant
ever petrol direct-injection model. This
environmental features, illustrated by examples. In this
trailblazing technology enables fuel con-
report we have complied with their wishes.
sumption to be reduced by up to 30 percent

compared with conventional petrol engines of
Of course, you can still find full, up-to-date technical

and environmental information about all our models
on our website, at:
www.volkswagen-environment.de/models
One vitally important decision when designing the

present report was how best to present the main
environmental points of interest for each model.
Instead of including detailed technical profiles of the
entire model range, we have chosen to focus firmly on
technological innovations and advances which will
make for more environmentally compatible vehicles.
Two models, the new Polo and our best-selling Golf,
were singled out to showcase our environmental
activities in more detail.
This report also contains information on a range of
features which today are a matter of course in every
Volkswagen model but which normally receive little or
no publicity. Very often it is these smaller details which
help to make Volkswagen an international leader in the
development of fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles.
With developments such as the worlds rst standardproduction three-litre car (100 km on three litres of
fuel), direct injection technology, natural gas-powered
vehicles and mobility for the disabled, Volkswagen has
already rolled out a number of innovations which some
of our competitors are still striving to introduce.
similar output.
4
Our Models Products
The Polo
Unswerving Focus
At the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA),
Volkswagen took the wraps off the fourth
generation of the Polo. This is our rst
production car with plastic underbody
panelling and integrated spoiler. A closer
look at the underbody of this new model
will illustrate how three of the seven
environmental objectives of the
Technical Development department (see
page 62) are applied in practice.
Goal number one regarding materials
was met by reducing the amount of
polyvinylchloride (PVC) in the underbody
panelling, while the use of completely
recyclable plastic panelling complies
with the legal requirements on end-of-life
vehicles and thus with environmental
goal number three. The underbody panelling with integrated spoiler reduces
drag in the underoor area, saves weight
and reduces lift at the rear. These three
factors in turn reduce fuel consumption
and are thus in line with goal number four.
the German D4 standard. The extension

of the oil change and servicing intervals
to two years or 30,000 kilometres for
petrol engines and two years or 50,000
kilometres for diesel engines makes an
active contribution to minimising soil
and water pollution. The greater torsional stiffness of the body meanwhile
reduces body vibration and thus noise.
The designers of the new Polo placed
particular emphasis on the fourth environmental goal, that of reducing fuel
consumption. For example, new threecylinder engines have been introduced,
in both diesel and petrol versions, along
with a redeveloped FSI engine. Similarly,
an electro-hydraulic steering system, an
automatic cut-off system for the rear
windscreen heater and the weight-saving
effect of a wheel breakdown kit in place
of the spare wheel all play their part in
enhancing fuel economy.
higher-strength steels in the upper

bodyshell; not to mention the extensive
deployment of lightweight structural
design including hollow shock absorber
piston rods, gun-drilled drive shafts and
specially designed input shafts for the
MQ 200 transmission, we have been able
to offset much of the weight increase
resulting from additional safety-,
strength- and comfort-enhancing features. Last but not least, the use of low
rolling resistance tyres makes for additional fuel savings.
The Polo
The other four environmental goals, too,
have been taken into account in the
design of the new Polo. The use of laser
welding technology and the replacement
of PVC seam sealing by a special type of
coating help to make the production
process more eco-friendly. The petrol
engines comply with Euro 4 emission
standards, while the turbodiesels meet
Another important factor in reducing

fuel consumption is lightweight design.
By using magnesium in the transmission
housings and steering wheel skeleton;
aluminium in the brake boosters, torque
rod, fuel tank heat shield, pendulum
support and engine mounts; tailored
blanks in the longitudinal members, the
transmission tunnel, the oor and the
inner panels on the doors; and 68 percent
The Polo and the 7 environmental goals of the

Technical Development department at a glance
Materials:
underbody panelling with reduced PVC
content
Production processes:
use of laser welding
Recycling:
fully recyclable plastic underbody
panelling
Fuel consumption:
integrated spoiler reduces drag; new
engines
Exhaust emissions:
all petrol engines comply with the
Euro 4 standard, all diesel engines
comply with the D4 standard
Soil/water pollution:
extended oil change and servicing
intervals
Noise:
stiffer body
44
45
The Golf
Choice of Fuels
Volkswagen has been selling natural
gas-powered vehicles since 1993. Some
50 percent of all natural gas vehicles on
the road in Germany now carry the
Volkswagen badge. In the past, the conversion was always carried out by outside companies. The Golf Variant 2.0
BiFuel model is the first natural gas
vehicle which is 100 percent factorybuilt at Volkswagen to the same manufacturing and quality standards as other Volkswagen models.
With its bi-fuel drive concept, the natural gas Golf can run on either petrol or
natural gas. Innovations include the
electronic engine management, with
full electronic accelerator operation in
both fuel modes, a sequential multipoint injection system which ensures
compliance with current emissions
requirements and natural gas fuel tanks
made of carbon-fibre-reinforced resin.
The tanks, located in the spare wheel
recess, have a capacity of 86 litres and
are much lighter than steel tanks,
although every bit as strong. The fuel
tank shut-off valves incorporate the
manual and the electromagnetic cut-off
functions, the fuse and the flow governor in a single unit.
The BiFuel Golf consumes approximately eight litres of premium petrol or 5.73
kilograms of gas per 100 kilometres. CO2
emissions in natural gas mode are
approximately 18 percent less than in
petrol mode (see table). Volkswagen
hopes that with all this going for it, the
BiFuel Golf will help to spur a rapid
increase in the number of natural gas
vehicles on German roads, which currently stands at approximately 10,000.
The number of natural gas filling stations in Germany is scheduled to rise
from 220 at present to over 300 by the
end of 2002.
The Golf
Natural gas operation
CO2 emissions
Cycle
Fuel consumption by
volume
Fuel consumption by
mass
Urban
224.4 g/km
12.55 m3/100 km
8.21 kg/100 km
Non-Urban
117.5 g/km
6.56 m3/100 km
4.29 kg/100 km
Combined
156.8 g/km
8.77 m3/100 km
5.73 kg/100 km
Petrol operation
CO2 emissions
Cycle
Fuel consumption
by volume
Urban
269 g/km
11.20 l /100 km
Non-Urban
146 g/km
6.10 l/100 km
Combined
192 g/km
8.00 l/100 km
4
Our Models Products
The Bora
Volkswagen has made substantial progress on the diesel
engine front. The Lupo 3L TDI was the first dieselengined model from Volkswagen to comply with the
Euro 4 emissions standard although this is not due to
come into force until 2005. Now the company offers two
more Euro 4-compliant diesel models from the Golf and
Bora ranges, featuring the 74 kW TDI engine and manual
transmission. The key to progress lies in a new generation of injectors with improved hole geometry for even
finer fuel atomisation, along with the use of modified
pistons and valves. Together, these measures reduce the
various types of emissions governed by law by between
17 and 50 percent compared with the levels prescribed
46
47
in the Euro 3 standard.
The New Beetle

Based on a logical and effective design concept, all the
electrically actuated throttle on the diesel
petrol engines offered for the New Beetle exhibit low
models which optimises engine torque,
average fuel consumption and low emissions. And apart
thereby enhancing active safety and reducing
from the 85 kW engine with automatic transmission
fuel consumption and emissions.
(Euro 3), all New Beetle engines comply with Euro 4.

Innovations on the environmental front include an
The Passat
An optionally available sliding/tilting roof with solar
collectors can reduce temperatures inside the Passat by
as much as 20 C in hot weather. The collectors power
an air conditioning fan which makes for a much more
pleasant on-board climate, not least for the driver with
the resultant positive impact on active safety. The solar
Sliding/tilting roof with solar

collectors
collectors also ensure that when the air conditioning or
Climatronic is switched on, the desired

temperature setting is achieved even faster
and with reduced energy consumption. After
all, drivers have responsibilities towards the
environment, towards other road users and
also towards themselves and their passengers.
The Sharan
In the Sharan, too, our customers benefit from the extra
driver. This does not apply, however, to TDI
convenience of Volkswagen LongLife Service technolo-
pump/injector engines, which require an
gy, a maintenance system which maximises safety and
inspection once a year. They also need an
reliability. A flexible service indicator automatically
interim oil change if the mileage exceeds
reminds the driver when it is time for the next inspec-
15,000 kilometres a year. The use of LongLife
tion. The interval between services should not exceed
technology in all models built by the
24 months or 30,000 km in the case of petrol models (24
Volkswagen Group can lead to oil savings of
months or 50,000 km for diesel-engined models). The
2.4 million litres a year.
big advantage of LongLife Service is that it is vehiclespecific, i.e. when calculating service intervals it takes
into account the actual conditions under which the
vehicle is operated and the personal driving style of the
4
Our Models Products
48
49
Caravelle, Multivan, Transporter and LT

All standard production models in the product range of
the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles marque are
already tailored to a wide range of applications. To meet
more specific requirements, however, special modifications and additional equipment may sometimes be
needed. All such work is carried out in accordance with
customer requirements at the Service Centre at the
Hanover plant a factory within a factory. The
Transporter and LT models, for example, can easily be
converted into vehicles for the disabled.
Its Not a Question of Size
50
51
Two years on the Lupo 3L TDI
some 16,000 of these eco-friendly cars had
The Lupo 3L TDI has been on the market since 1999,
joined their new owners, which was more
when it set a world record by becoming the first
than we expected. Clearly, we were right to
standard-production car with an average fuel consump-
develop not an economy model for eco-
tion of just three litres per 100 km. With its many
fundamentalists but a safe and high-tech
sterling qualities, it gained high approval ratings not
vehicle with a modern design for everyday
only with the motoring press but also with many of the
use. We were also correct in assuming that,
normally sceptical environmental organisations.
even in a three-litre car, customers would
Greenpeace, for example, was quoted as saying that the
not want to do without the convenience of air
engineers at Volkswagen have done a very good job,
conditioning and power steering. Motorists
even though, in their view, there was still room for
expect more and more for their money.
improvement. Moreover, the three-litre Lupo has now
Comfort and passive safety are increasingly
topped the Cars and the Environment table of the
important for modern drivers, is how VCDs
German Association for Transport and the Environment
Gerd Lottsiepen sums it up.
(VCD) for three years running. The 3L TDI is also taking

part in the Mobility segment of the EcoTopTen
True, the Lupo 3L TDI does not have a very
project sponsored by the German Ministry of Education
large market share. As was only to be expect-
and Research, a project in which Volkswagen is working
ed, its relatively high price and its size have
together with the Institute for Applied Ecology in
restricted demand. The high purchase price is
Freiburg, Germany. The three-litre Lupo has attracted
also the biggest objection raised by customers
attention well beyond the automotive scene and
and the public. Of course, we would all like to
sometimes even serves as a convenient benchmark for
be able to enjoy environmental innovations at
measuring the environmental compatibility of public
no extra charge. In the real world, however,
transport.
such innovations have their price. The

purchase price needs to be set against the
But what do our customers think? Needless to say, no
innovative technological content and against
one was keener to find out than we were. Because
the low running costs in terms of fuel
although the Lupo is a compact car in terms of size, in
consumption and tax. Then the Lupo 3L TDI
other respects it defies traditional categories. Its
emerges as a highly attractive choice
innovative technology, for example, and its price
environmentally, economically and, last but
preclude direct comparisons with other compact
not least, as an enjoyable car to drive. All our
models. So what do the figures reveal? By June 2001,
feedback shows that this is a special kind of

car which you simply have to try out for
yourself. It may take a little getting used to,
but for many drivers this is a prelude to
genuine enthusiasm. Obviously, thats
Around the world in 80 days by Lupo: 2.7 l per 100 km
something were very happy about. After all,

its a reminder that protecting the environment can and must be fun.
Research and Development
5
6
Fuel Strategy
The consumption and emissions outlook
Innovative drive systems
Over the past 25 years, reducing exhaust emissions has
The drive system with the lowest CO2 output
been one of the key objectives in the engine develop-
currently available is the direct injection
ment sector. Now, efforts focus specifically on cutting
diesel engine. The optimisation of these
CO2 output (see page 58).
engines with respect to fuel consumption and

exhaust emissions is therefore a key area of
In view of the rapid depletion of the worlds oil reserves
development work at Volkswagen. By 2005, we
expected over the next 20 years, coupled with steady
will also ensure that direct injection petrol
growth in energy demand, the development of high-
engines are well established in all classes of
efficiency drive systems takes top priority.
vehicle. Both these approaches will make a

major contribution to improved fuel economy
It would be unrealistic to expect a revolution in conven-
and lower exhaust emissions. As a result of
tional drive systems, i.e. internal combustion engines and
direct injection, the combustion processes of
the associated fuels. But as the changeover to alternative
petrol and diesel engines are becoming more
drive systems can only be gradual, an effective transition-
and more similar. So it is only logical to
al strategy is called for. This is the only way to safeguard
consider the development of a new combus-
the future of individual mobility while keeping the risks
tion process which combines the main advan-
calculable and the costs acceptable.
tages of the two types of engine. This is known

as CCS the Combined Combustion System.
This transitional strategy must cover three main areas:

sustained improvements in the efciency of existing
drive systems
A vision of combustion process development
the use of alternative energy sources for fuel production
Petrol engine
the development of vehicle drive systems which

present a neutral CO2 balance sheet
Multi-point injection
b Direct injection,
wall-guided
b Direct injection,
jet-guided
Drive strategies
Direct injection,
self-igniting
Through the continuous optimisation of conventional

drive systems (petrol and diesel) and the use of the
appropriate fuel qualities, Volkswagen is out to cut fuel
Combined combustion system

Partially
homogenised,
externally
ignited
consumption by as much as 40 percent compared with
models currently on the roads. From our present point

of view, that is the limit of what is technically feasible.
Swirl chamber
Direct injection
Work on reducing exhaust emissions also continues

apace. Following the introduction of the Euro 3
High-pressure
injection
Diesel engine
emissions standard, which has already been completed,

and the future Euro 4 standard, the resultant reductions
will lead to the sustained outperformance of recognised

air quality standards (see page 58).
Further fuel savings can be achieved by using

and controlling existing drive systems
intelligently. Normal driving conditions,
especially in urban traffic, include frequent
5
Fuel Strategy Research & Development
stops, as well as overrun and deceleration phases.
drivetrain consists of an semi-automatic
Situations of this type, when no power output from the
transmission with start-stop function.
engine is actually needed, typically account for some 45

consistent approach to fuel economy would mean that
Fuel cells and other alternative drive

systems
the engine is automatically shut-down during these
At the current state of the art, the automotive
phases. Volkswagen is already working on an energy-
power plant that offers the highest efficiency
saving system of this type. Known as the FSG (flywheel
is the hydrogen-powered fuel cell. Other alter-
starter generator) a precursor of this system is already
natives to the internal combustion engine
installed in the Lupo 3L TDI and Lupo FSI.
(gas turbine, Stirling engine, battery-driven
percent of total vehicle operating time in urban traffic. A
electric motor) which have been studied have
Frugal automatic transmissions
not proved a match for the fuel cell.
Another way to save fuel is to keep engines running

within their maximum efciency range whenever
The graph below compares the efficiencies of
possible. One convenient and economical means of
various drive systems for typical compact-
ensuring that this is the case is presented by semi-
class cars using different fuels in the New
automatic and continuously variable transmissions.
European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The figures
These counteract the tendency of many drivers to stay in
shown are estimates based on assumptions
a low gear for too long.
concerning the development of internal

combustion engines and fuel cell systems
from 2005 to 2010.
These innovative systems are already standard equipment on our Lupo 3L TDI and Lupo FSI models. In
addition to a high-efciency diesel or petrol engine, the
Drive systems: efciencies in percent (based on NEDC)

From 2005 to 2010
Internal combustion engine, min.
Internal combustion engine, max.
40
35
30
Fuel cell, min.
Fuel cell, max.
25
20
15
10
5
Petrol
Lower value: low estimate

Higher value: high estimate
Diesel
Natural Natural
gas/CNG gas/LNG
Methanol
CGH2
LH2
SynFuel
petrol
CNG: compressed natural gas

LNG: liqueed natural gas
CGH2: compressed gaseous hydrogen
LH2: liquid hydrogen
Source: Road Vehicle Energy Strategy
(Verkehrswirtschaftliche Energiestrategie)
SynFuel
diesel
52
53
In the long term, hydrogen-powered fuel cells offer a
the hydrogen required is produced from
promising way of reducing CO2 emissions, but only if
regenerative resources, the fuel cell process
the hydrogen required can be produced using regenera-
simply returns the water to the atmosphere.
tive sources of primary energy. The energy chain as a
There is no net change in water concentrations.
whole must not cause any increase in atmospheric CO2

levels. If fossil fuels were used for the stationary
Several different catalysts are used in fuel cell
production of hydrogen to power fuel cells, this would
systems. One of the main objectives of
tend to result in higher overall CO2 emissions than with
development work is to arrive at a significant
conventional drive systems and would therefore be
reduction in the quantities of platinum,
counterproductive.
rhodium and palladium used, with a view to

cutting overall costs. However, catalysts are
The direct hydrogen fuel cell is also an exemplary
not used up or worn out in the process but
solution in terms of local pollutant emissions. The sole
remain intact within the system; nor, in view
exhaust product of the fuel cell process is water vapour.
of the relatively low process temperatures of
In view of the low temperatures involved, no nitrogen
about 80 degrees Celsius, has any abrasion
oxides are produced. And while water vapour does have
been identified.
the potential to act as a greenhouse gas, these groundlevel emissions are rapidly precipitated. In addition, if
Series production not before 2020

Although fuel cells bring evident benefits,
Hydrogen
IF PRODUCED FROM REGENERATIVE SOURCES
there are still three technical and economic

hurdles to be overcome. Firstly no storage
medium suitable for mobile use is available;
sustainable environmental compatibility
secondly, it is not yet possible to produce the
no CO2 in entire energy chain
quantities of hydrogen needed from regenera-
an unlimited resource
tive energy resources; and thirdly, a hydrogen
BUT: THREE CRITICAL HURDLES REMAIN
distribution infrastructure still has to be put

in place. It will not be feasible to use hydrogen
no storage medium for mobile use
fuel cells in mass-produced vehicles until
no infrastructure available
these problems have been solved, and in our
sustainable production from regenerative sources

not yet possible at competitive cost
opinion, this is unlikely to happen before 2020
LONG-TERM SOLUTION
Volkswagen prototypes and demonstration
at the earliest. Nevertheless, several

models powered by fuel cells, such as the
Bora HyMotion, have already been in use for
some time.
Bora HyMotion
The Bora HyMotion is the first zero emission
vehicle presented by Volkswagen in the USA. The
silent electric drive train, featuring a fuel cell
and an electric motor with a power rating of
75 kW, allows higher efficiency than conventional internal combustion engines. The fuel tank of
the prototype, unveiled at the inauguration of
the California Fuel Cell Partnership in November
2000, holds 50 litres of liquid hydrogen, giving
the car a range of 350 kilometres.
5
Volkswagen fuel development scenario
SynFuel SunFuel
Fuel properties play a decisive role in reducing fuel
consumption and exhaust emissions. Exhaust gases
FUEL EVOLUTION
from the combustion of synthetic diesel and petrol

containing no sulphur or aromatics not only present
substantially lower pollutant concentrations, they also
Hydrogen from
renewable
sources
significantly improve the efficiency of exhaust gas

treatment systems.
SunFuel from
biomass
In future, natural gas will be widely used as a feedstock

for liquid fuel production. The first step in the process is
to generate synthesis gas which can be used to produce
alternative fuels such as methanol or pure hydrogen,
SynFuel from
natural gas
Petrol/diesel
from crude oil
and above all conventional liquid fuels. SynFuels is

the general term for fuels synthesised in this way. Diesel
fuel made from synthesis gas is of extremely high
quality and does not contain any sulphur or aromatics.

NOx and particulate emissions are also reduced. Apart
prices, Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) technology is
from diesel fuel, synthetic crude petrol can also be
already economically viable in many cases.
produced an ideal fuel for fuel cell drive systems

equipped with reformers. With todays high crude oil
For motorists, the introduction of synthetic

fuels will bring no changes. They can be used
in the same way as existing fuels and
How to develop fuels with no CO2 impact (SunFuels)
distributed via existing outlets.

Synthesis gas can, of course, also be produced
Biomass
CO2 from power

station ue gas
H2 from regenerative
sources
from other raw materials without affecting the
product. If synthesis gas is produced not from
quality and specific properties of the end

fossil primary energy resources, but from
Synthesis gas (H2, CO2, CO)
regenerative resources such as biomass, the

process has no net impact on atmospheric
CO2 concentrations. The carbon dioxide

Fuel synthesis
which is bound by biomass during the growth
Conversion,
treatment
phase is simply released back into the

atmosphere during vehicle operation. A
system of this type effectively represents a

Compression,
liquefaction
closed carbon dioxide cycle, like those found

in nature, with the sun as its prime mover.
d
Petrol
d
Diesel
(fuel cells)
H2 fuel
That is why Volkswagen calls this kind of

synthetic fuel SunFuel.
54
55
In the long term, if hydrogen became available from
regenerative sources. As such, it could also be
renewable sources at lower cost, synthesis gas could be
obtained by using other fuels from regenera-
produced from other feedstocks such as power station
tive sources, such as SunFuel.
flue gas. Synthetic fuel produced in this way would also

have no overall impact on atmospheric CO2 concentra-
Developing ideas together
tions.
In view of general economic conditions,

technological development in the drivetrain
Direct use as an automotive fuel is not the only
and fuel sector can only take the form of an
potential application for hydrogen from renewable
evolutionary process. If we are to avoid
sources in the energy sector. It could also be converted
wasting resources by following false trails,
into liquid fuel which would have the great advantage
changes to existing technology and especially
that this could be distributed via the existing infrastruc-
to energy supply systems must be founded on
ture. That way, every vehicle on the road could play a
broad-based evaluations. Consensus within
part in reducing CO2 emissions.
European industry is an essential prerequisite. In the light of the mobility needs of our
The final stage of this evolutionary process, though,
customers, unilateral courses of action
would be the use of pure hydrogen from regenerative
adopted by individual states are doomed to
sources as a motor vehicle fuel. That said, the associat-
failure.
ed reduction in CO2 emissions is due not so much to the

actual use of hydrogen as to its production from
A Revolution on Wheels
Slowly but surely, we are reach-
outstanding ignition properties
ing the limits of conventional
in parallel. In chemical plants,
fuels. The chemical analysis of
SynFuels can be produced not
the petrol we get from the pumps
only from low-cost natural gas or
is too variable for the more
heavy fuel oil but also from bio-
sophisticated engines of the
mass made up of straw, garden
future, and the sulphur and aro-
refuse or wood.
matic hydrocarbon concentrations are too high. It is much
Source: GEO, No. 9,
Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn,
easier now to develop special
September 2001
Head of Research,
engines and synthetic fuels with
Environment and
Transportation
5
Future trends in drive systems and fuels

CO2 emissions
Synthesis gas (H2, CO, CO2)

Oil
Biomass
Natural gas
Solar H2
CO2 from
closed loop
Petrol, diesel
SynFuel,
diesel, petrol
FSI, optimised
petrol and diesel
Special SynFuels,
transition to SunFuel
H2 engine,
H2 fuel cell (eet)
Now
Hydrogen fuel
Fuel cell with

petrol reformer
5 years
Engine with hybrid

combustion system
10 years
15 years
20 years
H2 fuel cell
25 years
30 years
56
57
Volkswagens strategy is based on a consistent approach
the development of future-oriented drive
with a time horizon which stretches up to 2030. It is
systems and the associated fuels, and the
intended to help the political decision-makers to create
resulting trends in specific CO2 emissions.
a suitable framework without overburdening national

economies. The scenario shown in the diagram above is
based on the contents of this chapter so far. It depicts
Contact:
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Research, Environment and Transportation
Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn
Letter Box 1775/0
Tel. +49 5361 926670
Key Elements of Volkswagens Drive System and Fuel Strategy

Innovative drive systems with optimised direct injection engines, semiautomatic transmissions and intelligent use of the drivetrain
Fuel cell systems with petrol reformers not available in production
models before 2015
Fuel cell systems with onboard hydrogen storage not available in production models until after 2020
The liquid fossil fuels currently available (petrol and diesel) will be optimised for use in innovative combustion engines and fuel cells in order to
minimise fuel consumption and
emissions from approximately 2005
onwards in combination with natural gas, gas-to-liquid technology
and SynFuels.
From approximately 2010 onwards,

fuels with no CO2 impact, including
biomass and SunFuel, will increasingly be substituted for fossil fuels.
Hydrogen from regenerative sources
after 2020.
The Car and the Environment

Developments in car exhaust emissions
Developments in car exhaust emission control legislation in the EU
(for HC, NOx and particulates)
HC + NOx [g/km]
HC + NOx
(petrol engine)
HC + NOx
(direct-injection
diesel engine)
Particulates
(direct-injection
diesel engine)
Particulates [g/km]
2.8
0.28
2.4
0.24
2.0
0.20
1.6
0.16
1.2
0.12
0.8
0.08
0.4
0.04
Euro 1
(1992)
Euro 2
(1996)
Euro 3
(2000)
Euro 4
(2005)
From Euro 3: new driving cycle

Diesel engine: new separate limit for NOx in addition to cumulative limit for HC and NOx
Petrol engine: separate limits for HC and NOx (cumulative limit no longer applies)
Source: European Union
Early compliance with Euro 4 standard
Emissions in Germany
In order to minimise the impact of motoring on
The potential of new technologies for reduc-
mankind and the environment, legal standards limiting
ing emissions is only realised over the course
passenger car emissions have been in force in Europe
of time, as the vehicle population on the
since 1970. Carbon monoxide (CO) limits were followed
roads is replaced. The graph below shows the
by limits for overall emissions of hydrocarbons (HC),
reductions in car exhaust emissions already
nitrogen oxides (NOx) and for diesel vehicles
achieved and those expected in Germany by
particulate matter. To comply with the EU standards
2020. With reference to 1990 levels, carbon
introduced in 1992 (Euro 1), petrol-engined cars
monoxide emissions have already been re-
required a closed-loop three-way catalytic converter.
duced by 71 percent, hydrocarbons by 88
The emissions limits laid down in the Euro 4 standard,
percent, nitrogen oxides by 70 percent and
which will apply to all new cars from 2005 onwards, are
particulates by 25 percent. From 2005 on-
some 90 percent lower than those of Euro 1. Even so,
wards, the introduction of the Euro 4 standard
most Volkswagen vehicles already meet the stringent
and low-consumption vehicles will lead to
new standard, four years ahead of the statutory deadline.
further falls in emissions subject to statutory

control. Moreover, we will see an end to the
Car exhaust emissions in Germany up to 2020

kt/a
bn km/a
CO [kt/10]
1,400
800
CO2 [kt/100]
1,200
700
HC [kt]
NOx [kt]
Particulates [kt x 10]*
600
1,000
500
800
400
Distance travelled [bn km] 600
300
400
*diesel.
200
200
100
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Source: IFEU - Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
2005
2010
2015
2020
5
The Car and the Environment Research & Development
direct link between CO2 emissions and the ongoing
measuring points near to roads. The down-
increase in vehicle numbers and distances travelled.
ward trend is obvious, and more pronounced

than ever following the introduction of low-
Fuel quality and emissions
benzene petrol.
Unlike improvements in vehicle technology, which take

time to make themselves felt, improvements in fuel
Exhaust strategy for diesel engines
quality have an immediate impact on emissions.
Despite all progress on the engineering front,
Emissions are reduced as soon as improved fuels
particulate emissions from diesel engines
become widely available. For example, the maximum
remain a controversial subject. Key parame-
benzene content of petrol was reduced from five
ters are the size, quantity and surface area of
percent to one percent by volume with effect from
the particles emitted. However, independent
January 1, 2000. This change has been a key element in
scientific studies* have shown that optimised
ensuring compliance with present and future clean air
combustion processes using high-pressure
regulations. The graph below shows the change in
injection do not produce smaller particles but
annual average benzene concentrations recorded at
have brought enormous progress in terms of

further reductions in numbers of particles
(see graph on the left).
Particle size distribution with various systems

measured with ELPI** in NEDC***
*Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Aerosol

Research, Hanover: Quantitative Particulate Study for
auto motor und sport, 1998.
Number of particles x 1012 (km-1)

Vehicle
Vehicle
Vehicle
Vehicle
1
2
3
4
(Euro 1 )
(Euro 2)
(Euro 3)
(Euro 4)
FEV Motorentechnik, Aachen; University of Duisburg:
ACEA report on small particle emissions from
passenger cars, 1999.
-78 %
3
2
1
0
10
100
1000
Aerodynamic particle diameter
**ELPI: Electric low-pressure impactor

*** NEDC: New European Driving Cycle
Annual average benzene concentrations measured at air quality

monitoring stations in Lower Saxony
g/m3
Hanover,
Gttinger Strae
Brunswick,
Bohlweg
Limit under Directive
2000/69/EC,
to be reached
by January 1, 2010
20
15
10
1990
1991
1992
Source: Lower Saxony State Environmental Agency
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
58
59
The focus in diesel engine development work is on
The Volkswagen filter system operates
further reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
continuously, avoiding peak temperatures
particulate emissions. Here VOLKSWAGEN AGs
and material stress and ensuring high filter
philosophy is that avoiding emissions in the first place
efficiency over the entire service life of the
is better than the costly and complex business of
vehicle.
eliminating them by end-of-pipe measures. That said,

in engines which fail to produce satisfactory emissions
Based on the current state of development,
despite improved combustion and the use of an
there are ve approaches that will advance the
oxidation catalyst, additional end-of-pipe exhaust
cause of the cleanest possible diesel exhaust:
treatment systems are required. This mainly concerns

larger, heavier vehicles, particularly when they are fitted
with automatic transmissions. In future, such vehicles
will be equipped with innovative particulate filters and
exhaust gas treatment to eliminate nitrogen oxides.
further optimisation of the combustion

process
improvements to the efciency of oxidation
catalysts
Both features will form part of an intelligent exhaust
availability of new sulphur-free fuels
treatment system controlled by the engine manage-
( S < 10 ppm)
ment. Filtering out particulate matter is in itself no
use of an additional particulate lter
great problem, the more testing challenge is to ensure
effective end-of-pipe treatment to eliminate
that the filter is regenerated when necessary, under all
nitrogen oxides.
and any operating conditions. As a result of the inherent

tures required for particle oxidation are only reached at
Resource conservation transitional

strategy
relatively high speeds. At operating temperatures lower
As a result of the introduction of low-emission
than 300 degrees Celsius, particles accumulate in the
vehicles, we can expect to see air quality
filter. Regeneration of the particulate filter starts when
improved by 2010 at the latest to the point
specific threshold values are exceeded and temperature
where road vehicle emissions will no longer
conditions are favourable. In the Volkswagen system,
be a prime concern. Attention will then focus
particulate matter is oxidised by nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
on minimising greenhouse gas emissions and
forming CO2.
primary energy consumption (see diagram on
efficiency of diesel engines, the high exhaust tempera-
opposite page).
Volkswagens Euro 4 exhaust emission minimisation strategy for diesel engines
Sulphur-free fuel + NOx

storage catalytic converter
Sulphur-free fuel +
particulate filter
4V engine
2V engine + engine
modifications including
oxidation catalyst
Vehicle mass
D1
AG
HS
AG
HS
Passat
Golf
75
AG: automatic
HS: manual
2V: two valves per cylinder
4V: four valves per cylinder
100
Output (kW)
150
5
The Car and the Environment Research & Development
To ensure an adequate supply of fuel for private vehicles
In the transitional period before we reach the
in the long term, natural resources must be used as
age of hydrogen, fuel properties will be of
efficiently and sparingly as possible. A study of the
crucial importance. Fuel type and quality
future development of drive systems conducted by
already play a key role in the environmental
Aachen Technical University (see diagram: Drive
compatibility of motor vehicles and will
system development from 1995 to 2015) indicates that
continue to do so in the future. In keeping
conventional internal combustion engines (petrol and
with the objective of sustainable develop-
diesel) will still dominate the market in 20 years time.
ment, in the future, fuels must be made
However, the market share of alternative drive systems
available from regenerative sources, but as it
is expected to rise from 2010 onwards. The most
will be a considerable time before this target
promising technology for the long term is the hydrogen-
is reached Volkswagen has developed a tran-
powered fuel cell (see page 53).
sitional strategy for the interim (see page 52).
Shifts in emphasis
Environmental vehicle development
60
61
Importance
Exhaust emissions:
CO, NOx, HC,
particulates
Greenhouse gases, CO2
Primary energy
consumption
1990
1995
2000
2005 2010
2015
Drive system trends, 1995 - 2015

Future market shares
100 %
Petrol DI*
Petrol
80 %
Alternative drive systems
Diesel DI*
60 %
Diesel
40 %
*DI = direct injection.
20 %
1995
Source: Aachen Technical University
2000
2005
2010 2015
2020
2025
Environmental Management in the Technical

Development Department
In order to achieve the demanding targets set out in the
time when the standard was still a draft. Early in
Preamble to Volkswagens Environmental Policy, environ-
2001, the Technical Development department also
mental protection must be made a key element of the
adopted revised versions of its seven environmen-
product creation process from the very earliest stages. The
tal goals. Compared with the original goals drawn
Technical Development department (TE) in Wolfsburg has
up in 1996, the wording has been adapted to re-
set a clear benchmark through a further re-certication
ect the various changes in legislation and the
audit to DIN EN ISO 14001 which was successfully com-
voluntary agreements entered into by the indus-
pleted in April 2001 and once again underlined Volkswa-
try. In many areas, the goals are now more precise
gens role as a worldwide pioneer. While the EC Eco-Audit
and go beyond the requirements of applicable
only considers environmental aspects relevant to produc-
legislation in terms of materials, noise, emissions,
tion facilities, the TE certicate covers the environment-
the use of hazardous materials, and pollutants.
ally compatible development of Volkswagen vehicles, i.e.
The environmental goals are part of the Technical
the products themselves. The need for an approach of this
Development departments environmental
type is conrmed by the life cycle inventories drawn up by
management toolbox and form the basis for the
Volkswagen. For example, the vehicles service life accounts
environmental specications. The purpose of
for about 73 percent of total energy utilisation over the life
environmental management is to ensure that the
cycle of a Golf A4 or 67 percent in the case of the three-
environmental goals are reached in practice. The
litre Lupo. A comparison with the gure of 80 percent
environmental goals of the Technical Develop-
determined for the Golf A3 shows the progress that has
ment department are general goals. Project-
been made in reducing fuel consumption. Volkswagen was
specic goals are dened in the separate environ-
the rst car manufacturer to apply DIN EN ISO 14001, at a
mental specications issued for each vehicle.
Preamble to Volkswagens Environmental Policy

The company accepts responsibility for the continuous improvement of the environmental
compatibility of its products and for the increasingly conservative use of natural resources.
1
Materials
to use environmentally
compatible materials
to minimise the use of hazardous materials and pollutants
to minimise interior emissions
including odour
Fuel consumption
including CO2
to meet and outperform fuel
consumption and CO2 require-
processes in line with the

principle of commensurability
service-life phase and uid

removal during recycling
Agreement
to produce a consumption
Noise
to comply with and outperform
to use eco-friendly production
Soil and water pollution

to improve leakproong for the
ments under the Voluntary
leader in every vehicle class

Production processes
Exhaust emissions
to comply with and outperform
the most stringent exhaust
emission regulations
noise emissions regulations

to achieve the lowest possible
exterior noise levels in the
service-life phase
to achieve the lowest possible
interior noise levels
Recycling
to meet and outperform
end-of-life vehicle recycling
regulations
5
Technical Development /The One-Litre Car Research & Development
Im Going to Build the One-Litre Car
Formula 1
Dr. Ferdinand Pich, Chairman of the Volkswagen Board of

Management, talked to stern magazine about the fuel price
crisis, falling sales in the car industry and his plans. In his
seven years at the helm of the Volkswagen Group, Dr. Pich,
who originally trained as an engineer, has made farreaching changes. Under his leadership, a major model
offensive has been launched and the entire Volkswagen
Group undergone strategic reorientation: Volkswagen was
the rst car-maker to develop and launch a three-litre car
using only three litres of fuel per 100 km. And as Dr. Pich
told stern, he is now committed to building a one-litre car.
Breaking new ground

with the one-litre car
The Volkswagen Lupo 3L TDI (a
three-litre car in the sense that
it can cover 100 kilometres on just
three litres of fuel) has set new
standards of environmental
stern: Is the one-litre car already in sight?

Dr. Pich: Im convinced that I will be
able to drive one while Im still in office.
stern: If so, the stock exchange will rejoice
and well see a rise in the Volkswagen
share price at long last.
Dr. Pich: Quite probably.
Source: stern, No. 39, September 2000
efciency both in technical terms

and for car buyers. Even before
A New Brand Image
this ground-breaking model was
An interview with Dr. Ferdinand Pich, Chairman of the Volkswagen Board of Management
launched, development work on

its two-litre successor had
already begun. However, this
project has now been shelved in
Editorial team: One-litre car is almost

a magic word. How are things going?
Editorial team: That sounds expensive.

How expensive?
Dr. Pich: I still hope to be able to drive a

prototype this year. And the prospects are
good.
Dr. Pich: At current production cost

levels, were looking at a purchase price
somewhere between DM 40,000 and
50,000 but, that said, were aiming for a
considerably lower price. The big
question is whether the market is ready
for cars that are extremely economical
but relatively expensive.
Editorial team: We now know that it will

be a two-seater, with the passengers seat
behind the driver. Is it going to be a sort of
bubble-car?
favour of an even more ambitious

target: Volkswagen has taken up
the challenge of the one-litre
Dr. Pich: Certainly not. In terms of road

safety and crash protection, you can
safely assume that this will be a fullyfledged car. It will feature a leading-edge
TDI engine and pioneering magnesium
and carbon bodywork.
car and is committed to the

development of a diesel-powered
two-seater which will set entirely
Editorial team: Can you venture a

forecast on the basis of experience with
the three-litre car?
Editorial team: Then the one-litre car

ought to benet from that trend because it
will combine economy with the prestige of
exceptional, intelligent design.
Dr. Pich: Yes, the design will certainly
be exceptional and some people will feel
that they simply have to have one.
Whether or not there will be enough
buyers to make production a viable
proposition remains to be seen. But if we
dont embark on such ventures, well
never find out.
Dr. Pich: [...] Yes, there is a trend

towards greater acceptance for cars of
this type.
new standards for the efcient

Source: Volkswagen-Magazin, No. 1, April 2001
use of resources.
At the Paris Motor Show, AUTO-ZEITUNG talked to Dr. Ferdinand Pich, Chairman of the
Volkswagen Board of Management, about the one-litre car, Volkswagens model policy, the
decision to go for 16 rather than 18 cylinders and other new developments in the engine eld.
AUTO-ZEITUNG: Dr. Pich, the
mysterious one-litre car has been
making headlines for some time now.
Can you tell us any more about it?
Dr. Pich: Some years ago, I said that we
were going to build three-litre, two-litre
and one-litre cars. Today you can buy the
three-litre Lupo. We have shelved the
two-litre project. It was a very compact
four-seater, and the design was not so
attractive. As for the one-litre car, all I
said was that I would be driving one while
AUTO-ZEITUNG: What will this

economic super-car look like?
Dr. Pich: I prefer to think in terms of

the Auto Union world record car. Our
one-litre car will have a Cd value the
likes of which have never been seen
before.
Dr. Pich: It has four wheels, two seats

and a diesel engine, and only weighs half
as much as a three-litre Lupo.
AUTO-ZEITUNG: That surely means

that the passenger seat must be located
behind the driver?
AUTO-ZEITUNG: A very small,

lightweight two-seater. Doesnt one of
your competitors already build a car like
that?
Dr. Pich: Far be it from me to

contradict you.
I was still in office. I dont know whether

anyone else will ever drive it.
Source: AUTO-ZEITUNG, No. 22, October 2000
The Pace of Progress

Prospects for the one-litre car. An interview with Dr. Martin Winterkorn, VOLKSWAGEN AG Board Member
responsible for research and development
Editorial team: How do you see the role of
the one-litre car that Volkswagen has
announced?
Dr. Martin Winterkorn: It will play a very
important role, not only as a technology
showcase but maybe as a production
model, too. When you see the car and
drive it, your first impression is that youre
driving a fun car, with a low centre of
gravity, a characteristic seating
arrangement and a very low Cd value.
Source: Volkswagen-Magazin, No. 2, July 2001
Well have to decide whether to build it or

not within the next twelve months. I expect
that we will go ahead, if only because of
the technology.
...The key topics here include lightweight
design and new materials magnesium,
aluminium and titanium. The lower the
weight, the less energy you need to move
it. [...] I am convinced that there is still
considerable potential for weight savings
using both plastics and metals and we are

working very hard in this area. Thats why
I find the prospect of building the onelitre car so attractive. You have to use
materials like carbon fibre and titanium,
and can even think about new alloying
elements, such as lithium, for example.
62
63
Brave New World

Mobile networking on four wheels
Long-distance data transmission between the
Can your car communicate, switch on your coffee-
home and the car is mastered using mobile
maker at home while youre still out on the road or warn
phone technology (SMS, GPRS) which also
you if a car thief attempts to steal your pride and joy?
allows easy Internet access.
Can you watch scenes from the CCTV camera in front of

your home on your dashboard monitor? Does your car
Intelligent homes will feature advanced
guide you to the next available parking space, saving
building services technology, helping to
you a frustrating and fuel-consuming search? Sounds
ensure that energy and other valuable
like something out of Brave New World, you may
resources are used efficiently. In the InHaus
think, but all these features are already up and running
project, Volkswagen is out to investigate how
on the new netconnect Passat, a Volkswagen study
the car can be meaningfully integrated into
model. This intelligent car is part of a project called
the living environment of the future. For
InHaus being run by the Fraunhofer IMS Institute
example, the central heating thermostat in
(Institute for Microelectronic Systems and Circuitry) in
your home could be controlled from the car.
Duisburg, Germany. Short-distance communications
Approaches of this type are likely to win
(within the home and in the immediate vicinity) are
greater acceptance as a networked lifestyle
handled by Bluetooth, a wireless data transmission
evolves, encompassing all areas of life
system which can even be used to transfer MP3 music
including car travel and bringing considerable
files downloaded from the Internet to your cars
benefits in terms of convenience and
onboard computer.
efficiency.
Apart from communication between car and
home, netconnect also includes additional
Telematics Applications
remote-controlled convenience and safety
In the medium term
In the long term
Position sensor:
reacts when the car is moved,
e.g. towed away, run into or
stolen
Car park navigation:

information on events and
vacant parking spaces
Refuelling information:
calculates the remaining range
and plots a route to the nearest
filling station
Remote sensing:
detects pedestrians near to the
vehicle and warns the driver
of sudden obstacles
Remote control:
controls the ventilation system
and auxiliary heater
Shopping:
InHaus reminds you of your
shopping list, compares
prices, informs you of special
offers and guides you to the
appropriate supermarket
features. For example, drivers can switch on

all-round lighting before they approach the
car in the dark or transfer the routes they have
planned on their home PC to the navigation
system of their car.
5
Mobile Networking Research & Development
64
65
The heart of the system is a car computer that controls
Another pilot project, World on Wheels
all communications between the vehicle and the home.
(WOW), in which Volkswagen is taking part,
Data is entered via a keyboard in the glove compart-
features ample entertainment for rear-seat
ment. The control unit is a hand-held computer, the
passengers. WOW uses the new DVB-T (Digital
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), which acts as a remote
Video Broadcasting Terrestrial) system for data
control and monitor for all computer functions. Drivers
transmission. The system not only ensures
can also make telephone calls via the PDA or use it as a
excellent TV reception but also allows viewers
remote control for their home audio system or as a
to compile their own personal entertainment
monitor.
programme from the comfort of their seat.

www.volkswagen-environment.de/knowledge/technology-innovation
The Best of Both Worlds

Electric hybrid vehicles
Here are the advantages of a hybrid

vehicle currently being developed as
part of a project with EU support:
The Volkswagen Group Research department is

currently developing a new hybrid vehicle which
consumes considerably less fuel than a conventional
vehicle without needing a recharge from a power socket.
autonomous hybrid drive system (no need
Hybrid vehicles developed in the past have been
to recharge batteries from power points)
plagued by a number of problems. They were heavy and
performance comparable to conventional
costly, their performance was sluggish and they were
vehicle
inconvenient and complex to operate major draw-
comfortable ride
backs which more than outweighed the benefits of
fuel consumption significantly lower than
lower fuel consumption and cleaner emissions.
for a conventional vehicle

all comfort options available (power
steering, air conditioning, etc.)
no compromises in terms of active and
passive safety
no compromises in terms of service life
(incl. battery service life)
Design criteria for the electric motor, depending on the

functions to be performed by a parallel hybrid drivetrain
Function
Output
Electric drive
< 40 kW
Additional power
3040 kW
Braking energy recovery
2030 kW
Additional torque for acceleration
1020 kW
Start-stop function for internal combustion engine

Onboard equipment
510 kW
46 kW
In a parallel hybrid drive system, the motor rating is determined by the functions to be
performed. For example, if the objective is only to provide additional torque for
acceleration, a rating of 10 to 20 kW is adequate, but if the motor is to power the
vehicle without any help from the internal combustion engine, it will need to deliver
between 30 and 50 kW. The output required also determines the size of the battery.
All the functions listed above can be performed by a hybrid drive system.
5
Electric Hybrid Vehicles Research & Development
Parallel hybrid drive

(schematic diagram of the drivetrain)
The main focus of development work is on a
new drivetrain designed to ensure the
maximum efficiency of all components. Of all
Transmission
Clutches
possible hybrid drivetrains, it is the parallel

configuration which offers the greatest
potential. In this version, a TDI engine is
Power
electronics Electric motor
Battery
Clutches
combined with a semi-automatic transmission and an integrated three-phase disc-rotor

motor. Energy storage is handled by a new
kind of battery technology.
Internal
combustion
engine
How does a parallel hybrid drivetrain work?

A parallel hybrid drivetrain is a combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric
motor, controlled by an electronic control system. Depending on the demands made on the vehicle,
the drivetrain performs the following functions:
The internal combustion engine powers the vehicle via the transmission.
The electric motor powers the vehicle via the transmission.
The motor joins forces with the engine to provide additional torque for acceleration
To keep the engine operating at maximum efciency, the engine speed is increased to generate
electric power.
During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator to feed energy to the battery.
The electric motor is used to start the internal combustion engine (no starter motor required,
start-stop function, no fuel consumption when idling)
Is the electric power generated by the internal combustion engine?
The rotor of the electric motor replaces the conventional ywheel and so it rotates constantly when
the internal combustion engine is running. The motor can therefore be used as a generator. However,
the system is controlled in such a way that the engine is kept within its maximum efciency range.
Is braking and overrun energy exploited?
Are both drive systems operated at the same time or are they switched over?
Each time the car is braked, the electric motor feeds power to the battery. The control system takes into
account the drivers acceleration and braking requirements and activates the drive system that ensures
minimum fuel consumption at any given moment.
66
67
From Family Car to End-of-Life Vehicle

Recycling strategy and waste problems
these materials by Volkswagen in accordance
Every year, some ten million tonnes of end-of-life
with the companys stringent safety, quality
vehicles (ELVs) are disposed of in the EU. The statutory
and environmental standards. The results of
framework for the environmentally compatible
their efforts can also be used by suppliers and
handling of ELVs is defined by the directive issued by
recycling operations.
the European Parliament in September 2000. For its

part, Volkswagen began its intensive studies of ELV
recycling back in 1990. Dismantling studies are carried
out on all Volkswagen models; the results are analysed
and feedback channelled continuously into the
development cycle. The target is to increase the
recycling rate for ELVs from its current level of about 80
percent (by weight) in Germany. Volkswagen products
are in considerable demand not only during their useful
life but also as end-of-life vehicles. In our opinion, the
recyclability of disused vehicles will be a key competitive advantage in the future. In order to tackle the wide
variety of challenges posed by the recycling process
68
69
The main product of the shredder plant is steel scrap
more effectively, the Volkswagen Group has established

a cross-brand Recycling Steering Committee. The
The IMDS International Material Data System
Committee is responsible for setting up a take-back
(see page 74) was developed in cooperation
network, material cycles and alternative dismantling,
with the German Association of the Automo-
separation and recycling technologies. Another group of
tive Industry (VDA) and several other
environmental experts, the Material Controlling Team,
European manufacturers. The system is
is working on the issues associated with materials the
designed for suppliers to enter the material
use of which will no longer be permissible from 2003
data for the components they build and
onwards. They are responsible for looking into
thereby make the information available to the
substitutes for cadmium, mercury, lead and chromium
vehicle manufacturers. At the other end of the
(VI) and initiating approval procedures for the use of
process, Volkswagen offers dismantling data

to recycling operators across Europe. IDIS
Legal Framework
2002: All vehicles registered after July 1, 2002 to be
taken back free of charge.
2003: Use of heavy metals (Hg, Cr (VI), Cd, Pb)

prohibited from July 1, 2003
2005: No type approval without proof that vehicle is

95 percent recyclable
2006: 85 percent recycling rate required for all vehi-
(the International Dismantling Information

System) provides dismantling data for all
vehicles produced since model year 1985 on a
CD-ROM. To supplement these electronic
data sources, joint workshops are also staged,
with the outcome that all concerned
designers, suppliers and recycling operators
assume joint product responsibility through
constructive collaboration.
cles ( 80 percent material recycling;

< 5 percent energy recovery)
2007: All vehicles currently registered to be taken

2015:
Contact:
back free of charge
VOLKSWAGEN AG
95 percent recycling rate required for all vehi-
Vehicle Use, Vehicle Recycling
cles ( 85 percent recycling or reuse;
Dr. Hartmut Heinrich
< 10 percent energy recovery)
Letter Box 1774/2

Source: EU End of Life Vehicle Directive 2000/53/EC
Tel. +49 5361 976040
Production & Plants
5
6
A Worldwide Network
Environmental protection at our production plants
also have a chance to do so amongst them-
Africa, America, Asia and Europe Volkswagen
selves. To facilitate such contacts, training for
manufactures cars on four continents. Some of our
overseas employees is now no longer organ-
plants are now almost 50 years old and many others are
ised on an individual basis but in groups. In
located in newly industrialising countries. As general
May 2001, the first six employees from Brazil
legal frameworks differ from one country to the next, it
and Argentina attended a joint training
is impossible to develop a uniform solution to environ-
course. Training was conducted in English,
mental protection which would be appropriate for all
dispensing with the need for a knowledge of
our plants. Instead, our strategy is to implement as
German, and the main focus of the course was
much state-of-the-art technology as possible as quickly
to familiarise participants with the innovative

environmental technologies used throughout
the entire product life cycle.
In spring 2000, Volkswagen took an important
step towards advanced, company-wide
environmental management by introducing
uniform environmental standards for the
entire Group. These standards concern
environmental protection in the production
sector and serve as guidelines for all plants.
Exchanging views with South American colleagues: (left to right)

Marcelo Perptuo, Ivo Braga, Mrcio Lima, Eduardo Ferreirs, Dr.
Christiane von Finckenstein, Alfredo Martone, Alfredo Hauszler
Worldwide Environmental Standards for

Volkswagen Production Plants
1.
Reduction of pollutant load at paintshop

pre-treatment stage
as possible at all plants. The global scope of our
2.
bodyshell paintshops
responsibility means that we must also introduce high

environmental standards worldwide. This calls for
3.
outside Europe and this was one reason why we chose
4.
to appoint what we call mentors for our plants in Bra-
5.
6.
7.
Use of eco-friendly refrigerants in

Preventive measures to protect
groundwater and soil
the above countries on matters of environmental

8.
Establishment of separate drainage

systems for stormwater and wastewater
the relevant foreign language and coordinate various

consultative and planning projects on site.
No PCBs in transformers and heavy-duty
refrigeration/air conditioning systems
mental department in Wolfsburg are in regular
protection. Most mentors also have some knowledge of
Use of solvent-free preservation materials

capacitors
zil, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and China. These
contact with their overseas colleagues at the plants in
Resource-conservation measures at
paintshop pre-treatment stage
extensive consultation input particularly at plants
mentors all of them experts from the central environ-
Limitation of solvent emissions from
9.
Renovation of wastewater drainage systems
10. Rail transport given preference over

The mentor scheme provides our overseas employees
with opportunities to share their experiences with their
German colleagues but it is important that they should
road transport
11. Deployment of reusable packaging and
transport systems
6
Worldwide Network/Logistics Production & Plants
Lighter, Stronger, Better

Transport logistics at Volkswagen
Coordination of these containers places
Logistics is about controlling the material, energy and
enormous demands on the 30 employees who
product streams at a production plant, and the way in
form the container management team. Their
which the plant is integrated into the wider transport
job is to ensure that our suppliers always have
infrastructure. It is a eld which has increasingly become
enough empty containers available. At
the focus of public attention, above all in the context of
present, 42 different types of transport
environmental protection. Among the key factors which
container are used. In the medium term, we
have brought logistics to the fore in the sustainability
aim to reduce this number to 20. In order to
debate are just-in-time production methods and the
schedule the use of containers in a way that
weight and composition of the transport containers.
makes ecological and economic sense, the

container management team applies the
How does this affect Volkswagen? It takes almost 4,000
source-sink principle whereby, using
suppliers to keep the companys European plants alone
optimised routing, empty containers are first
supplied with materials. Components reach the
taken to the nearest point of requirement.
assembly lines on a just-in-time basis. But it is not just

punctual delivery which presents a logistical challenge
it is also the business of transportation itself. All of 5.5
million universal transport containers made of plastic
and metal are deployed to supply our plants. While
some of them will be at the suppliers being loaded, the
remainder are en route by truck or already off-loaded
alongside the assembly lines.
Dr. Petra Spiekermann and Reinhard Tnzer inspect the new recyclable
lightweight bulk cargo container made of plastic
70
71
Small cargo boxes made of new lighter materials
For Volkswagen, practical environmental protection in
its metal counterparts and weighs just 39
the logistics sector means not only optimised trans-
kilograms. This not only makes handling
portation routes which help to cut down on unneces-
easier, it also helps to make better use of truck
sary journeys but also the development of new
capacity. At the end of their useful lives, the
transport containers with the focus on economic
containers can be recycled. By the end of
efficiency and recyclability. The outcome is a new
2002, we plan to distribute 200,000 of these
lightweight bulk cargo container with the designation
lightweight containers to all Volkswagen
114-888. Made of plastic, it can be collapsed to one fifth
plants.
of its size and takes a maximum load of 250 kilograms.

Moreover, when collapsed, it is roughly half the size of
Not only that, but we have also improved the

small cargo boxes (VDA-KLT) using new
Transport volumes 2000
materials and a modified design to reduce

weight. The result is the RL-VDA, a redesigned
Incoming goods (t/a)
5,063,600
version of the lightweight VDA container
6,213,000
system. In this context, Volkswagen has
Inter-plant traffic
(t/a)
2,855,600
Vehicles
3,400,000
commissioned the development of a new

concept which would allow the existing 2.6
3,277,100
million VDA-KLT carriers to be recycled to

produce the new RL boxes. By using a single
4,366,100
Outgoing goods (t/a)

(parts, CKD etc.)
rather than double-walled construction and a
2,382,000
smooth floor in place of a ribbed one, the new
2,675,100
design increases interior volume by approxi1
mately 30 percent compared with the first

generation VDA-KLT. The resultant net in-
2000 freight volume
Total, Volkswagen Transport

Projected freight volume

for 2005
crease in interior volume of 19,270 cubic metres

can mean savings of 912 truck trips per year.
6
Logistics/Suppliers Production & Plants
Committed to the Environment

Volkswagen and its suppliers
With prohibitions and declaration require-
Volkswagens Environmental Policy contains a guaran-
ments to contend with, and with environ-
tee that the Groups various divisions and departments
mental management systems which are now
as well as our external partners will all play their part in
geared to the entire product life cycle, vehicle
helping us to reach our environmental goals. All our
manufacturers face the task of documenting
partners, be they suppliers, service providers, dealer-
an ever increasing number of materials along
ships or waste disposal operators, are fully integrated
the entire supply chain. As these documenta-
into our Environmental Policy. To ensure that ndings
tion needs are set to increase in future,
from our everyday operations and Volkswagens
Volkswagen has decided to apply the
environmental requirements are passed along the
International Material Data System (IMDS).
supply chain to second, third and subsequent levels
IMDS permits cost-effective data transfer and
i.e. from direct to indirect suppliers all aspects of
enables material data to be stored all along
environmental protection are communicated to and
the supply chain. It is available free of charge
discussed with our partners.
to all suppliers for the purposes of data

communication. Future development stages
Ongoing training for suppliers
will be able to take account of future environ-
In conjunction with Volkswagen Coaching GmbH,
mental requirements. For further information
Volkswagen organises a large number of supplier
on IMDS, turn to page 74.
workshops relating to current environmental issues.

The aim here is to communicate to all our partners any
Two other advanced means of communicating
consequences for our business processes arising from
environmental requirements to our business
frequent changes in legislation. The workshops were
partners take the shape of the Electronic
introduced in November 1997, and in autumn 2001 the
Supplier Link data system and a Volkswagen
75th such event took place under the motto Priority
environmental communications platform on
A Partners for the Environment.
the Internet. In addition, our business part-
72
73
ners learn about other environmental activ-
Topics since 1997
ities and innovations by exchanging environ-
Environmental policy, environmental
mental reports, environmental certicates and
management
memoranda. In future, Volkswagen will
Implementing the EC Eco-Audit in practice
continue to reward exceptional supplier
Material data suppliers responsibilities
initiatives designed to enhance the environ-
End-of-life vehicle recycling
mental acceptability of our cars with an
Implementation of life cycle inventories
Environmental Award.
Introduction to the International Material Data

System IMDS
Together, legislative bodies, the general public and our
customers are placing ever greater demands on the
quality of our environmental communications. Consider
only the legislation relating to chemicals and take-back
schemes or the future integrated product policy (IPP),
and it soon becomes clear that existing structures and
IT systems will soon be unable to cope. Existing legislation, with its non-standardised nomenclature for the
various sectors of industry, is not designed in a way that
would permit a material to be monitored from product
release to waste disposal legislation with reasonable
cost and effort on the data-processing front.
Recycling Demonstration Vehicle (RDF): Dr. Ferdinand Pich (second

from r.), Chairman of the Board of Management of VOLKSWAGEN AG,
and Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Member of the Board of Management with
responsibility for Research and Development, talking to suppliers about
new options in car recycling
A Tool for the Environment

The International Material Data System IMDS
two grams per vehicle, it is essential for a
The automotive industry is already investing heavily in
vehicle manufacturer to receive detailed
organisational measures to comply with existing
material data on every bought-in part. Only
environmental requirements. Legislation has given rise
then can the required materials balance-sheet
to catalogues, standards and databases pertaining to
be drawn up. Volkswagen played a signicant
materials, hazardous materials, hazardous goods and
part in developing the International Material
waste. These databases are restricted to the various
Data System (IMDS).
specialist fields and sectors of the automotive industry.

The state of technological development, content and
IMDS is an electronic system for the transfer
structure of the databases differ greatly. As a result, they
and storage of material data. The system is
do not present an adequate means of describing
operated by the information technology
material data for a car with the precision required of the
group EDS who are also responsible for
automotive industry by the European Unions (EU) End
database security. With IMDS, each partici-
of Life Vehicle Directive. For this reason the German
pant company can store its own material data
Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) decided
which, assigned to a part number, can then be
to set up an Internet-based database which would
forwarded to its customers when sample parts
permit the material data for various products to be
are supplied. Each customer in the chain can
described along the entire supply chain.
then add the material data received to those

of its own product and pass them on, for
The Internet-based system supplies the automakers and
example, to the vehicle manufacturer.
their partners with information about the materials

which go to make up the individual components of a car,
most of which are outsourced. With threshold limit
values for certain materials (e.g. chromium VI) as low as
IMDS home page
6
International Material Data System Production & Plants
Incoming goods at the Intermodal Freight Terminal in Wolfsburg
The material data for any given product can be stored
documentation requirements. Thus, for
under its trade name and called up by any IMDS
example, the documentation requirements for
participant. This function is designed primarily for raw
one and the same material differ depending
materials and standard parts and benefits large
on whether one consults chemicals legislation
numbers of IMDS users. The increasing scope of the
or laws relating to waste disposal.
database is making the task of compiling complex

material datasheets far easier.
The approach to using IMDS described by the

EU in its Green Paper on an Integrated
IMDS has been available to suppliers free of charge
Product Policy is not technically feasible, as
since April 2000. It is already being used intensively and
only those in possession of a parts list can
fed with data. As an additional service for Volkswagen
match the materials described to their
suppliers, the system is being provided with a range of
product. IMDS shows each participant only
access privileges and interfaces.
the data which its respective partner reveals.

If this were not the case, no competitor would
The database architecture can readily accommodate
be prepared to accept and use the system.
further advances in environmental protection such as
Like all IMDS users, car manufacturers, too,
the Integrated Product Policy (IPP). Less accommodat-
are suppliers of major components and,
ing are the inconsistencies on the legislative front,
indeed, entire vehicles, for which material
where the legislature has failed to harmonise materials
data must be fed into IMDS.
Extract from a material datasheet
74
75
Stormwater retention basin at the Kassel plant
Our Plants
Because no two Volkswagen plants are the same, our
shop and the revised heating and ventilation
Environmental Report deals with each plant individual-
concept for the production shop. Better use of
ly. Space considerations prevent us from going into great
waste heat means that there was no need to
detail, but we do take a closer look at four production
install separate heating lines in the logistics
sites in the form of separate articles. For all other plants,
shop. In addition, rainwater falling on roof
we present an example which illustrates their environ-
surfaces is channelled into the rainwater
mental activities. Rather than simply focusing on the
collection system. In Chemnitz, a workforce
technical side, we have tried to present activities which
of approximately 600 builds engines.
show unusual employee involvement or which go

beyond environmental protection in making a contribu-
The Zwickau/Mosel Plant
tion to sustainable development. A detailed presentation
The 6,000 employees at the Volkswagen
of all our plants can be found on the Internet:
Sachsen GmbH, Zwickau/Mosel plant turn
out approximately 1,200 Golf and Passat

models a day. Since autumn 2000, the plant
Germany
has been a member of the Federal State of

Saxonys Environmental Alliance an
The Wolfsburg Plant
initiative introduced by the state government
In August 2001 Volkswagen named a team of employees
in conjunction with industry in Saxony to
from its Wolfsburg plant as one of three winners of the
achieve a more efficient
companys first internal Environmental Award. In the
and forward-looking
tool hardening shop where steel gear wheels, for exam-
approach to environmen-
ple, are protected against wear, the team was respons-
tal protection. The
ible for replacing the salt-bath hardening process by
initiative aims to ease the
gas heat treatment. As a result, there is now no need to
regulatory burden on all
dump some 20 tonnes of waste salts underground or
member businesses and
purchase ten tonnes of new salts every year. This not
to increase their sense of
only eases the impact on the environment but also
direct responsibility. By
brings considerable savings on the purchasing and
joining the scheme, busi-
waste disposal fronts. On top of which, the new process
nesses pledge to take
has improved safety in the workplace.
direct responsibility for

the ongoing development of process-related
The Brunswick Plant
environmental protection policies and to put
The employees in Brunswick are actively involved in
in place the appropriate conditions and
the plants environmental activities. A special environ-
instruments, such as voluntary environmental
mental rally is organised for new apprentices, in which
audits and environmental management
the various stages take them to all the environmentally
systems.
relevant areas of the plant. In this way over 150 apprentices a year are trained as new environmental experts.
The Kassel Plant
The 6,600 employees at the Brunswick plant manufac-
The Kassel plant is remarkable for its highly
ture vehicle components and plastic parts, as well as
conservationist approach to water consump-
machinery and tools for the production sector.
tion. In order to conserve groundwater, an

increasing quantity of rainwater is now
The Chemnitz Plant
collected and re-used. In addition, use of
Key environmental achievements at the Chemnitz plant
water in production is constantly being
include the ventilation system for the new logistics
optimised. As a result, consumption of
6
Reports and Examples Production & Plants
Members of the environmental team at the Emden plant
groundwater, which stood at 1.5 million cubic metres in

1990/91, has been reduced by one third within ten years.
The Kassel plant mainly produces gearboxes, castings,
pressed parts and exhaust systems.
The Emden Plant

An environmental team in Emden sorts reusable packaging fractions and protective caps from outsourced
components and returns them to suppliers. In the past,
Environment Day in Salzgitter
the cardboard and plastic was disposed of as industrial

waste. The team is made up of employees who for age or
Volkswagen Kraftwerk GmbH
health reasons can no longer be employed in the pro-
Energy utility Volkswagen Kraftwerk GmbH
duction sector. A workforce of well over 10,000 employ-
guarantees efficient energy supplies for our
ees build the Passat at the Emden plant.
plants in Wolfsburg, Kassel, Hanover, Emden

and the Czech Republic. The exemplary na-
The Salzgitter Plant
ture and innovative character of the com-
In October 2000, the plant organised its second
panys power stations in terms of environ-
Environment Day under the heading Conserving
mental protection are clearly evidenced by
resources an economical engine from an economical
their successful participation in the EC
factory. Information on four main topics was on
Eco-Audit in Wolfsburg, Kassel and Emden.
display: energy, waste, noise and water pollution.
In Wolfsburg, for example, the resource-
Concrete evidence that the plant was living up to its
friendly power station, which operates on the
slogan was to be found in its reduced energy consump-
principle of combined heat and power (CHP),
tion and waste, lower noise emissions and improve-
generates energy for the Volkswagen plant in
ments on the water management front (modernisation
Wolfsburg and electricity and district heating
of coolant filter systems, reuse of condensate from the
for the town itself. Now the combined heat,
closed-loop oil-water emulsion cycles). Among the
power and refrigeration facility also supplies
engines built at the Salzgitter plant is the TDI unit for
the Autostadt complex with the refrigeration
the Lupo 3L.
required for room air-conditioning.
76
77
The power station in Wolfsburg
Conversations Over the Factory Fence

Neighbourhood Forums at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
A report by Andrea Packulat
One of the residents takes the floor. I live
Thursday, 5.30 p.m. at the customer centre of the
directly opposite the foundry right under the
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles marque (VWN) in
chimney you could say and just recently
Hanover. This is where customers normally come to
there was a lot of dust flying around near the
pick up their new vehicles, but tonight a meeting has
foundry. Id very much like to know what that
been organised for residents who live in the immediate
was exactly. Dirk Stielau, a member of the
vicinity of the site where these vehicles are manufac-
environmental protection team responsible
tured. These are VWNs neighbours in the north of the
for environmental communications makes a
city. The plant employs 15,000 people to build a broad
note of the matter and promises to report
range of commercial and special-purpose vehicles
back with the cause as soon as he has looked
based on the T4 and LT model series.
into it. Then, after a report about recent

success in the Eco-Audit, a resident comes
Local residents and VWN representatives have been
back with a question. It seems to me as if the
meeting as neighbours twice a year since 1998 to discuss
Eco-Audit was mainly based on discussions
and seek solutions to the problems which arise from
and checking paperwork. Did the auditors
living and working side by side. On this occasion so

many local residents have turned up that all the seats
are taken. Some have come along to listen, others to
take part in the discussion and still others to demand
improvements. For their part, the VWN representatives
among them a number of senior managers and Joseph
Lefave, Member of the Board of the Volkswagen Marque
with responsibility for production explain in detail the
measures taken since the last meeting.
6
Joseph Lefave, Member of the Board of the Volkswagen

Commercial Vehicles Marque responsible for Production
actually come and take a look at conditions at the
not only help to reduce unpleasant odours in
plant? Lefave nods: These auditors dont just examine
the neighbourhood, but also to improve
documents, they also have to satisfy themselves that the
working conditions for the employees.
production areas, too, conform to legal requirements

and that employees are fully involved in the Eco-Audit
process. That seems to put the neighbours mind
at rest.
We started up these neighbourhood forums because
we take any complaints from local residents seriously,
says Stielau. These regular exchanges enable those of
us working in the plant to hear about potential problems early on and to react quickly to find solutions.
VWN also has a hotline available which allows residents
to report any untoward incidents.
We started up these neighbourhood forums

because we take any complaints from local
residents seriously
Dirk Stielau of VWN Environmental Communications
The neighbourhood forum has also had other

positive effects. A number of residents, for
example, complained about the night-time
Of course, we cant always eradicate unpleasant odours
use of forklift trucks. In response, a noise
immediately, says Stielau. Nevertheless, complaints
abatement wall was put in place, and when a
from local residents were sufcient to initiate a search
new production shop was built, the transport
for long term solutions. Now a large-scale foundry
routes were planned so that the forklifts did
project has set out to achieve signicant improvements
most of their work indoors.
to the general situation. Top of the agenda here is to

reduce unpleasant odours in the neighbouring residen-
Even though it is not always possible for VWN
tial area which is barely a stones throw away. To this
to remedy matters immediately, the neigh-
end, a joint research programme has been initiated by
bourhood forums have nevertheless become
VWN in conjunction with a well-known manufacturer of
an exceptionally important institution. As a
core binding agents, the Darmstadt-based Institute for
result of these regular meetings, VWN is in a
Applied Ecology, the central Environmental Planning
position to incorporate the views of local
department in Wolfsburg and a number of other
residents into its planning activities at an
companies. One major focus of the programme is the
early stage. The best example of this is what
development of binding systems for sand moulds which
we have achieved in the foundry, says Dirk
are more or less odourless and low in pollutants.
Stielau. For me, that is a classic case of
Incidentally, Stielau points out, our decision to con-
process-integrated environmental
sult the Institute for Applied Ecology also resulted from
protection.
a suggestion made by local residents. The foundry will

also be installing a new ventilation system, which will
Andrea Packulat, 31,

is a freelance journalist based in Hanover.
78
79
Europe
The Pamplona Plant
The site of the plant at Arazuri (Navarra) also houses a
road safety training facility called Parque Polo which
offers practical road safety education for children (age
8-14) from local schools, as well as for the children of
employees of the plants suppliers. Over 8,500 children
and young people have so far benefited from this
community project sponsored by the Volkswagen
Navarra Foundation and the savings bank Caja Navarra.
The Spanish Volkswagen plant at Pamplona employs a
Parque Polo, the road safety training centre in Pamplona (Spain)
workforce of approximately 5,400 building engines and

vehicles.
The Palmela Plant
The Brussels Plant
The plant, which is situated about ten kilometres
Process-oriented environmental protection
outside Palmela in the south of Portugal, has set up a
measures at the plant include ultra-filtration
complimentary shuttle service for employees. The free
of rinsing water, the wastewater treatment
bus transfer, which covers 30 different routes, is used by
plant and a waste recycling programme. The
approximately 60 percent of the workforce. The result-
plant was presented with the two-star version
ing reduction in commuter traffic has had a marked
of the Eco-dynamic Company award, a seal
effect on link roads. The 4,000 employees at the Palmela
of quality designed for companies in the
plant manufacture vehicles for Volkswagen and Ford.

The complimentary shuttle service for employees in Palmela (Portugal)
6
Brussels region. Located on the outskirts of the Belgian
the immediate vicinity of the plant and a lake in
capital, the Brussels plant manufactures Golf and Lupo
Bratislava itself. The plant on the outskirts of
models.
the Slovak capital produces the Golf and Polo

models as well as 4-Motion versions of the Bora
The Poznan Plant
and Golf the only plant in the Group to do so.
An advanced treatment plant in the foundry now allows
Future products are to include the Colorado
approximately 60 percent of the silica sand used for
model. The plant is set to undergo certication
moulds to be recycled. Without this system the sand
of its environmental management system in
would have to be treated outside the country, so in addi-
line with ISO 14001 in 2003.
tion to beneting from the advantages of recycling, the

plant also cuts out the environmental impact of
The Martin Plant
transporting the sand. The Poznan plant in Poland has a
In May 2000, Volkswagen Slovakia began
workforce of about 2,500 who build commercial vehicles.
production of vehicle components at the

Martin plant. Production technology came
The Bratislava Plant
from a cooperative venture between the
Volkswagen Slovakia takes an active interest in conserva-
Bratislava, Brunswick and Kassel plants.
tion projects in and around the Bratislava plant. As a
Key environmental measures include raising
member of the Association of Industry and Nature Con-
the recycling quota and the reduction of
servation (APOP), Volkswagen Slovakia has funded the
wastewater volumes. An environmental
planting of 3,000 trees and shrubs. Furthermore, the plant
management system in line with ISO 14001
has been involved in the remediation of a small river in
is due to be introduced in 2002. To date the

plant employs approximately 600 people,
with further job opportunities planned.
80
81
Of Fish and Horsepower

Practical Ecology at Volkswagen Motor Polska
A report by Eugeniusz Pudlis
The proof that this is no mere lip-service is
Catching a glimpse inside a small open-plan room, I can
clearly visible all over the plant. The shop
hardly believe my eyes. While all around, the main
floors, for example, are made of plastic-
production shop is filled with the hustle and bustle of
coated waterproof concrete, explains
the daily routine and new engines are hot tested on
Environment Officer Dariusz Bralewski,
test rigs, here in the midst of it all there lies an oasis of
pointing to the snow-white flooring. On this
calm. The room I now enter houses an aquarium filled
floor you can see every drop of oil. Apart
with crystal clear water and exotic fish with names like
from that, all the oil and emulsion containers
Amazonian cichlid, guppy, discus and neon fish, their
rest on flat steel trays and, should anything
peaceful existence untouched by the surrounding hive
happen, there are meters to set off the alarm.
of activity.
Any leaks are brought under control

immediately, Bralewski assures me.
The aquarium, one blue-and-white uniformed

member of the workforce tells me, was brought in by
As precious as liquid gold
our Object Manager Marian Kurek. Kurek is fascinated
In Polkowice they handle water as if it were
by ecology, a passion he shares with his boss, Professor
gold. The washing cycles between individual
Dr. Burkhard Welkener, Spokesman of the Management
production stages are carried out in an
Board of Volkswagen Motor Polska in Polkowice.
encapsulated machine. A special ceramic

membrane filters out any materials which
Have you ever seen a factory where corporate environ-
might pollute the groundwater, allowing only
mental policies are put into practice at virtually every
water and detergent to pass through both of
single workstation? asks my guide. To prove his point,
which can then be reused several times. Water
he shows me the green card hanging on the wall in
is also saved in the camshaft cleaning process.
Kureks office which displays the plants entire eco-
Instead of the standard wet-wash, camshafts
philosophy: At this plant we attach great importance to
are cleaned without using any water at all by
showing equal regard for the economy, ecology and
blow cleaning them with compressed air.
society. As a production site we are committed to
The cooling lubricant (oil) or dirt blown off is
respecting the natural foundations of life and to helping
vacuum extracted, passed through precoat
to improve living standards in our own interests, and
filters and returned to the cooling lubricant
in the interests of future generations.
cycle.
6
taken to oil refineries for material recycling

and thermal energy recovery. Aluminium and
steel swarf is segregated for melting down as
valuable raw materials at aluminium or steel
works.
ISO 14001 and the challenges of the

21st century
How do you convince your customers that
production operations at your plant are ecofriendly? Certification to the internationally
recognised ISO 14001 standard is the best way.
Outside, at the southern end of the plant, there is a
The Polkowice plant decided very early on to
stormwater retention basin capable of holding almost
tackle the rigorous certification process, and
5,000 cubic metres of water. This is a novelty in the
just one year after production start-up, in
region, despite the fact that water is in short supply
September 2000, the inspectors from DQS (the
around here. The basin collects the rainwater that runs
German centre for management system
off the roofs, roads and yards all over the plant. The
assessment and auditing) arrived at the plant.
water is mainly used for sanitary purposes and for water-
We got the certificate and now everyone can
ing our green areas, Bralewski tells me. But beyond
see for themselves that our plant has an
that, this reservoir also keeps the re service supplied,
integrated system for quality and environ-
currently provides a new habitat for carp and frogs and
mental management, says Bralewski proudly.
will hopefully soon attract storks back to the area.

That said, environmental protection is set to
Fresh air little waste
remain a key focus in future years. Avoiding
On entering the factory from the tree-lined courtyard
waste, reducing the pollutant load in the
outside I get my next surprise. Inside and without air
wastewater and cutting noise levels at the
conditioning the air is almost as fresh as it is outside.
plant from 80 to 79 dB (A) are now the main
Who needs an air conditioning system, my guide asks,
goals. In addition, they are aiming to go on
when we have blinds that provide shade in the south-
reducing energy consumption per component
facing sections of the plant and an efcient ventilation
produced. The maxim for the employees at
system throughout the entire complex? Not only that,
Volkswagen Motor Polska also holds true for
but with the help of a heat exchanger, our ventilation
the environmental sector: Equipped with
system can warm up a room with a volume of 65,000
state-of-the-art technology, our factory is
cubic metres in less than an hour. Only certain ofces
ready to face the challenges of the 21st
and measuring facilities are equipped with air
century.
conditioning.
The plant is dotted with elegant waste containers in
The Volkswagen Motor Polska Sp.Zo.o. plant in
four colours for glass, paper, plastics and other
Polkowice lies about 400 kilometres Southwest
waste and everyone separates their waste voluntarily,
of Warsaw. In 2001, the workforce of 800
because the thirty containers are always within easy
employees produced some 500,000 pump/injec-
reach. We have put the job of industrial waste disposal
tor diesel engines. According to gures pub-
including removal of hazardous waste in the hands
lished in the Polish daily newspaper Rzecz-
of a firm of specialists, Bralewski informs me. Emul-
pospolita, the plant was ranked 24th on the
sions and slurry from the metalworking process are
list of Polands 500 top-performing factories.
Eugeniusz Pudlis, 54, is a reporter and columnist with the forestry periodical Echa Lesne.
In 1999 he won the Polish Pulitzer Prize in the
environmental category.
82
83
Peoples Attitudes Have Changed Too

Environmental Technology and Education at Volkswagen do Brasil
A report by Jacqueline B. Ramos
employees co-opted from all departments are
Volkswagens Taubat plant lies 130 kilometres from So
responsible for drawing up a plan of action. For
Paulo. Over the last two years roughly ten million US
his part, Perptuo is keen to point out what
dollars have been spent here on social and ecological
really counts. The most important thing for us
improvements in and around the plant. Leaving aside
is not certication itself. We are more
all technology-related investments, about 80 percent of
concerned with the advantages this will bring
the change in attitude and progress at the plant are
for our employees and for the people who live
down to the commitment of the workforce and their
in the vicinity of the plant. Improving the
readiness to embrace change. Its a combination that
quality of life is our major goal. This is not
has made Taubat into the most progressive plant in
about getting a certicate to hang on the wall.
Brazil in terms of environmental management,

explains Marcelo Perptuo, who is responsible for plant
technology and maintenance at Taubat.
Environmental education: an important

step towards sustainable development
There are two sides to the planning and or-
Just what he means becomes clear during the course of
ganisation of the EMS. On the one hand there
our interview in his office. While hes elaborating on the
is the technical training in which employees
results of his work, Perptuo gets a reminder from his
are familiarised with environmentally com-
secretary that the Environmental Management System
patible procedures. On the other, there is the
(EMS) team is waiting for their scheduled technical
environmental education of the workforce of
meeting and gradually getting impatient. You have to
8,500, which uses plays and video presenta-
realise, Perptuo tells me with a contented smile, that
tions as well as written materials to raise
these specialists are on the team because they want to
awareness of environmental issues. Perptuo
be, not because they have to be. They know how impor-
is convinced that the success of the EMS rests
tant it is to look after the environment for themselves,
on these two pillars. As a result of this work,
their children, their families, indeed for everyone and
our basic environmental principles are car-
this motivation makes an enormous difference to the
ried beyond the boundaries of the plant by
results we achieve in practice.
8,500 multipliers. This way, if we include just

the families of our employees, we can reach
By target date October 2001 the plant is aiming to stan-
out and speak to some 32,000 people,
dardise all monitoring methods for environmentally-
Perptuo enthuses. And fortunately we have
relevant technology, and to rmly embed an EMS into
the support of all our employees. They all
the culture of the plant. Nine committees made up of
share our sense of commitment and are keen

to improve the environmental situation at
the plant.
6
Recycling against hunger
as local residents notice anything, they
For the last eight years now, Volkswagen employees at
complain about it. Their noses act as sensors
Taubat have been involved in the welfare campaign
for our incinerator, jokes Perptuo.
Against Hunger and for Life. The campaign committee

currently looks after 300 deprived families in four local
Sustainable production
towns. The initiative is financed by the recycling
The year 2000 at the Taubat plant was
of
aluminium cans and printer cartridges which had
dedicated to saving energy. We invested in
previously been thrown away as waste. Today, when
energy conservation before the power crisis
you walk around the plant, you can see for yourself how
began to take effect in the country, which just
committed the workforce are. Collection points for the
goes to show that we are constantly striving
cans are everywhere and most are fairly full by early
to develop preventative methods, says
afternoon. The local community plays its part as well,
Perptuo. The plants entire energy genera-
says Perptuo. Youll see beer cans in some of the
tion system has been switched from diesel
containers, and as alcohol is forbidden on site, we can
to natural gas. Wherever possible, electrical
safely assume that the empty cans are brought in from
apparatus has been replaced. As a result,
outside the plant. That shows that local people are
pollutant emissions and specific power
backing our initiative and share a commitment to our
consumption (per vehicle and component
environmental philosophy. The recycling campaign
produced) have been reduced significantly.
also supports the project Education for Work, which
Now the goal is to conserve water the target
is preparing 50 teenagers for professional life. Some of
is a 70 percent recycling rate. We have a
these boys and girls will find work at Volkswagen. But
water treatment plant in which all the water
our intention with this project is to give these under-
used in car production undergoes special
privileged young people a basic preparation for life,
chemical treatment before being returned to
says Ricardo Julio, member of the EMS communications
the rivers and lakes, says Perptuo. But one
committee.
of our challenges is to find the technology

that will allow us to recycle our water. Thats
New technology in the paintshop
the best kind of technology, because we all
In recent years, state-of-the-art technology has been
know that water is a natural resource which
purchased to reduce pollutant emissions. Two such
will become scarce in the not-too-distant
new systems have been installed in the paintshop. The
future.
waste air rinsing systems for the spray booths have

been replaced by new models. Now approximately 98
Marcelo Perptuo has a two-pronged strategy
percent of all particulate overspray from the primer
to protect the environment: invest and raise
and topcoat application process can be recovered.
awareness. It is to be hoped that in a country
In the old days, people just used to put up

with the smell of the paint...
like Brazil, in which many companies and a

large part of the population still show no
active interest in environmental protection,
But the jewel in the paintshops crown is a regenerative
initiatives like those at Taubat will become
waste air treatment system the most advanced of its
increasingly commonplace in the future.
kind in Brazil. In a thermal energy recovery process, this

80-tonne giant burns the volatile organic compounds
given off as the paint dries, and some 97 percent of the
waste heat can be reused. In the old days, people just
used to put up with the smell of the paint. Now, as soon
The Taubat plant employs a workforce of 8,500 peo-
Jacqueline Barbosa Ramos, 27, specialises
ple 6,500 in the production sector and 2,000 in sup-
in environmental issues. She currently
port functions. The plant turns out Gol and Parati
writes for Calepino Web Publishers in Rio
models at the rate of approximately 950 vehicles a day.
de Janeiro.
84
85
Water treatment at the Puebla plant (Mexico)
Central America
The Puebla Plant
The Crdoba Plant
Modern technology has enabled our Mexican plant at
In October 2000, the environmental manage-
Puebla to make greater use of water drawn from a near-
ment system at the Crdoba plant was certi-
by lagoon as process water. As a result, freshwater intake
fied in line with ISO 14001. In another initia-
has been cut by one quarter. When treated in a reverse
tive, almost 300 new trees have already been
osmosis plant, water from the lagoon can now also be
planted in the factory grounds. Each year,
used in the paintshop. The plant has a workforce of
employees purchase indigenous trees and
approximately 16,000 employees building the Golf
plant them at the factory. Every employee
Convertible, Jetta, Sedan and New Beetle.
undertakes to look after his or her tree. Primary school classes coming to take part in environmental events at the plant are presented
South America
with a tree for their school. The Crdoba plant

manufactures gearboxes, as well as engine
The Pacheco Plant
and vehicle components.
During the second half of 1995 the plant began to

recycle industrial waste made up largely of materials
The So Carlos Plant
from the logistics sector and the paintshop. The recy-
In 1997, the So Carlos engine plant in Brazil
cling process is monitored by the authorities of the
became the first Volkswagen plant to have its
Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). A proportion of
environmental management system certified
the material recovered by the end of 2000 was sold to
in line with ISO 14001. The plant helps to
help cover costs. Of the remainder, some was given to a
sponsor the Parque Ecologico de So Carlos,
charity which makes furniture for schools and low-
which provides a secure habitat for wildlife
income households. Treated solvents were initially sold,
from the Brazilian cerrado steplands in
but since 1997 they have been reused at the plant. The
particular. Linked to this is the Lobo Guar
Pacheco plant has a workforce of 2,400.
project, the main aim of which is to protect

the endangered Guar Wolf from extinction.
Water treatment at the Puebla plant (Mexico)
6
Production at the Uitenhage plant (South Africa)
The Resende Plant
The Anchieta Plant
The Brazilian plant in Resende will have been certified
Protecting the environment has been a topic of
in line with ISO 14001 by the end of 2001. In preparation
key signicance here ever since the plant was
for certification, an internal environmental committee
opened in Brazil back in 1957. Decontamination
organised a comprehensive training programme for all
of the old electrocoating plant was completed
employees. This covered topics such as environmental
recently and all toxic materials were neutralised
management, information on ISO 14001 and the plants
and reusable materials recycled. Moreover, since
waste disposal programme. A waste segregation scheme
the introduction of modications in the harden-
is in place at the plant and the use of rechargeable
ing sector it has been possible to dispense with
batteries is widespread. In addition, maintenance and
hardening salts which were harmful to the envi-
cleaning processes have been optimised. The Resende
ronment. The 18,200 employees at the Anchieta
plant manufactures trucks and buses.
plant build complete vehicles and engines.
The Curitiba Plant
Africa
The Curitiba plant in Brazil was only built in 1999 and

its most pressing environmental objective today is
The Uitenhage Plant
certification in line with ISO 14001. Soil samples as well
Two very important tasks when the environ-
as groundwater and surface water are analysed on a
mental management system was being set up at
regular basis to ensure threshold limit values are
Uitenhage were creating an awareness of envi-
complied with. In 2001, a waste management system
ronmental issues among the workforce and pro-
was introduced in order to systematically increase the
viding employees with adequate information.
recycling quota. In addition, a specialist firm has been
To this end, training courses, brochures, poster
commissioned to monitor fauna in the immediate vicin-
campaigns and even plays were employed. The
ity of the plant. Employees at the Curitiba plant in So
South African plant achieved certication in
Jos dos Pinhais manufacture the Golf and the Audi A3.
line with ISO 14001 in July 2000. The main focus

of environmental activities at the plant is on
wastewater treatment and recycling. In
Water inspection at the Curitiba plant (Brazil)
addition, the plant supports social institutions

such as orphanages for street children. At
Uitenhage, a workforce of 5,400 produce the
Golf and Transporter T3 models, as well as
components for the entire Volkswagen Group.
Asia
The Changchun Plant
FAW Volkswagen is a Chinese-German
automotive joint venture which was set up in
Changchun in North-eastern China in 1991.
The company has a daily output capacity of
roughly 600 vehicles, as well as 1,080 engines
and 720 gearboxes. Certification in line with
ISO 14001 is the current focus of environmental
protection activities at the plant and this is
scheduled for completion by September 2002.
86
87
Man Cannot Live by the Car Alone

Advanced Environmental Technology at Shanghai Volkswagen
A report by Huo Yongzhe
My first impression is one of astonishment. In the car
park there are tens of thousands of cars. Nothing
unusual in that, you might think. But this is a country
with a gross national product of roughly 800 US dollars
per inhabitant and where the bicycle still dominates the
street scene as the number one means of transport. In
this particular part of the country, though, things are
different as I was about to discover. Welcome to
Shanghai Volkswagen!
In Anting there are more cars than

bicycles...
Here in Anting there are more cars than bicycles, Fan
Zhengyuan tells me by way of introduction to his
hometown which lies at the gateway to Chinas leading
protection measures to keep the environmen-
economic centre. At Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW) all
tal impact of rapid economic growth as low as
employees receive a loan sufficient for them to buy at
possible. We have developed a three-stage
least a Santana. Fan is a chauffeur at Volkswagen, and it
control system for which senior management
was he who picked me up from the airport. The cars
is ultimately responsible, says Reinhard
bring us lots of advantages, he adds with a smile.
Katzer, Head of Planning, explaining the

companys environmental management
Three stages for the environment
system. First, each new employee is required
My second impression is also one of astonishment.
to take part in an environmental seminar. In
Trees and flowers on the premises are not the norm in
addition, a task force has been formed to
state-owned factories in China. For years now, Shanghai
oversee all environmental protection
Volkswagen has been introducing environmental
activities. The task force reports directly to the
6
plant management. And every department has an
environmental protection. As part of a broad-
environmental officer, says Zhang Zhengxiang, a
based campaign to improve air quality, vehicles
member of the ISO 14000 working party. In 1997, our
which comply with the Euro 2 exhaust
environmental management system was certified in line
emissions standard qualify for tax breaks, and
with ISO 14001, and since then an audit has been carried
from 2004 the Euro 2 standard will apply
out once a year. We currently invest approximately 50
nationwide. The target is for China to have
million Yuan (EUR 6.7 million) a year in environmental
caught up with Western industrialised nations
protection measures, which have included the elimina-
by 2010. Shanghai Volkswagen supports these
tion of CFCs from the plant and its products, conversion
ambitious aims in spirit and in practice. Thus,
of the paintshop to lead-free electrocoating and
the companys entire model range is today fully
chrome-free passivation, installation of heat recovery
Euro-2 compliant, and production of vehicles
and waste air treatment systems, as well as the setting
which comply with the Euro 4 standard is
up of an advanced control centre for wastewater
currently beginning at SVW.
treatment.
When SVW introduced these environmental

protection measures, the fish started to return
Clean cars from clean factories

SVW is committed to a complete reworking of
traditional environmental protection practices
After pre-treatment, the wastewater around six million
and is no longer banking on end-of-pipe
cubic metres a year for all five SVW plants is chan-
solutions. Instead, the causes of waste and
nelled to the municipal sewage works.
pollution are tackled directly at source. We

save an estimated three million Yuan a year just
When SVW introduced these environmental protection
through recycling measures within our
measures, the fish started to return, says Mr. Shi
production processes, says Thomas Knott,
approvingly. This long-serving employee remembers
Head of Product Development.
that once there were hardly any fish left in the river that
flows through the small industrial town of Anting. With
On the sustainability front, too, Shanghai
the conversion of Vehicle Plant 1, transferred 16 years
Volkswagen makes a small contribution in an
ago from the Shanghai Tractor and Automobile
area which is the cause of considerable
Corporation to Shanghai Volkswagen Ltd., European
controversy throughout Asia: deforestation for
environmental standards are being introduced along
the manufacture of disposable chopsticks.
with state-of-the-art production technology. The new
SVW has taken a stance by insisting that only
paintshop, for example, is being prepared for the use of
re-usable chopsticks are used in its
water-based paints, so that when these become
canteens. In addition to conserving resources
available on the Chinese market the plant will be able to
and avoiding waste, this single measure
switch to this environmentally friendly technology. The
represents annual savings of 700,000 Yuan
new Polo is to be built at this particular plant from
(approx. EUR 92,000).
January 2002 onwards.

Clean cars from clean factories with this
Tax breaks for Euro 2
philosophy Shanghai Volkswagen aims to
Dr. Andreas Bastian, responsible for the elds of techno-
ensure that the triumphant progress of the car
logy and environmental protection at the Peking ofce
in China will not harm the prospects of future
of Volkswagen Group China, is full of condence. The
generations by damaging the environment or
Chinese government is well aware of the importance of
the health of the nations people.
Huo Yongzhe, 27, is in his third year on the

business desk of the China Daily newspaper. He is based in Peking.
88
89
Open Secrets
Environmental data of the Volkswagen Marque
are sufficiently clear and informative.
Whats behind such notions as fuel-efficient drive
Experience has shown that other approaches
technology, lightweight design or intelligent electronics
produce better results as we shall see in
in an innovative product like the Lupo 3L TDI? The
what follows.
common denominator with each of these aspects is

can be evaluated in terms of clear-cut metrics such as
Against which standards does Volkswagen

benchmark its performance?
pollutant emissions, noise levels or fuel consumption,
First there is the Groups Environmental
production plants cannot be classified on such simple
Policy, which has the backing of management
scales. But the financial world and the media, the
and workforce alike an important prerequi-
insurance sector, auditors and consumer bodies need
site for any successful environmental
objective information on which to base their bench-
management system. The Environmental
marking studies, risk assessments and rankings.
Policy gives rise to internal procedural
Moreover, manufacturers themselves need clear and
directives as well as standard specifications
informative management indicators, without which
and general conditions for suppliers. These
they cannot hope to develop effective environmental
are important elements if environmental
protection measures.
protection is to be subject to continuous
sophisticated production technology. And while a car
improvement.
So what sort of measuring instruments enable us to
check whether or not the environment is being
Based on its Environmental Policy, as a global
protected as efficiently as possible? One option is to
player, Volkswagen has introduced environ-
evaluate environmental performance indicators.
mental standards for all its plants, oriented
Volkswagen has decided not to go down this road: it is
not least to the latest technological advances
doubtful whether the results achieved by this method
Procedural Specications
23-KEFUW-01 Performance of environmental audits

23-KEFUW-02 Coordination of Environment Officers
23-KEFUW-03 Compiling reports on production-related environmental protection
23-KEFUW-04 Planning environmental protection investments
23-KEFUW-05 Accrual and administration of reserves for environmental risks
23-KEFUW-06 Planning procedures for environmental planning projects
23-KEFUW-07 Deployment of reclamation or sealing measures on contaminated sites
23-KEFUW-08 Conducting environmental protection planning approval procedures
23-KEFUW-09 Guidelines for drawing up environmental statements
23-KEFUW-10 Calculating input/output data for an environmental statement
Extract from the register of internal procedural specications
6
Environmental Data Production & Plants
increasing importance is attached to planning produc-
What monitoring tools does

Volkswagen use?
tion technologies in line with the concept (now well
One obvious monitoring tool is the internal
established in Europe) of best available technology.
audit. Audit results are analysed and evaluat-
and newly developed processes. In this context,
ed in order to develop measures which are
What management tools does Volkswagen have

at its disposal?
then reflected in a revised control process. A
Within the scope of the Eco-Audit process an
suppliers from an ecological perspective. In
important component of environmental management
addition, a balance sheet can be drawn up for
concrete measures have in the past been introduced
the production chain. This reveals the
with a view to improving the environmental situation in
materials which, on the one hand, go to make
cooperation with the operators responsible for
up a product during the manufacturing
environmentally relevant systems. Communication
process, and which, on the other hand, have
between environmental officers, production staff and
to be separated again when it comes to
management has proved highly effective and ensures
recycling end-of-life vehicles.
further means of control is the appraisal of
90
91
the necessary transfer of knowledge.

To improve the exchange of information in environmental protection, regular meetings are held at
specialist level. The ongoing exchange of experience
between environmental officers from the various plants
permits the company to adopt a unified, strategic and
well-considered approach. All decisions are validated at
Board level in the course of management reviews.
Environmental Programme and Goals of the Eco-Audit 2000
Goal
Measures
Date
To improve the database of

environmentally relevant data
Expand the LIMS (Laboratory Information System) database, increase

data integrity
2002
Introduce the second development stage of the waste management software
2001
Set up an expert system for contaminated sites
2002
Improve the database for the evaluation of outsourced parts
2002
Assure the quantitative and qualitative recording of emissions from

environmentally relevant systems not subject to authorisation
2003
Test for environmental pollution in the vicinity of the plant
2003
Construction of additional nal ltration system at the biological wastewater

treatment plant Biologie West to reduce COD content from 160 to 128 mg/l
2002
To improve environmental
protection technology
Wolfsburg plant,
extract from the Environmental Programme 2000
Another means of continuously improving environmental protection is to ensure the ongoing optimisation of
the interplay between management and monitoring, on
SAM Research
Corporate Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire 2001
Auto Manufacturers
the basis of current Environmental Policy. Here, too,

Volkswagen sets the standards for evaluating the
environmental performance of its various plants. This
approach has also gained the support of many consulting companies, whose questionnaires now contain
relevant material (see box).
Why does Volkswagen collect environmental data?

Volkswagen compiles a corpus of environmental data
from its plants. This is based on internal definitions and
terminology and conducted on a scale that is justifiable
on commercial grounds. The data is published in Environmental Statements as well as in the companys
Environmental Report and Annual Report. In Germany,
such data is required by the authorities under the terms
of the Environmental Statistics and Environmental
Information Act. Furthermore, compiling environmen-
Environmental charters
Does your company have worldwide minimum environmental standards that apply to all facilities and
subsidiaries?
Has your company signed environmental charters,
or is it committed to the principles of sustainability
councils/coalitions?
Environmental management system
The implementation of an Environmental
Management System is
completed for units generating ..........% of total revenues
This management system is certified according to:
ISO 14001
EMAS
Environmental performance
Does your company evaluate the environmental
performance of its products (life cycle assessment,
ecobalance)?
Environmental reporting
Does your company publicly provide information on its
environmental activities?
tal data provides a further means of monitoring

emissions released into the air, water or soil.
Extract from a typical environmental questionnaire
On account of the increasing global effect of human inter-
dardisation in the eld of environmental pro-
vention in the environment, it is imperative that there
tection. In one response to this need, the World
should be international agreement on measures and stan-
Business Council for Sustainable Development

(WBCSD) is working with the World Resources
Institute (WRI) to develop a global greenhouse
gas inventory. Volkswagen is also playing a part
in this research through our involvement in
road testing, not least with a view to the possible introduction of Carbon Trading Markets.
All these measures aim to provide as accurate
a picture as possible of the current environmental situation. Thanks to this information,
individual nations and the community of
states are in a position to reach agreement
Paulo Baptista, Environmental Ofcer at the Palmela plant, Portugal,

in the paintshop control centre where environmental data is collated
over environmental protection policy.

Volkswagen is working towards extending the
registration and documentation of environmental data to include our overseas plants,
and with this in mind we have intensified
communications with our plants in South
America, South Africa, Mexico and China.
6
Our aim is to integrate the plants of the Volkswagen
in Europe. The charts are designed to reveal
marque outside Germany into the information process.
trends rather than interpret individual
The charts below show selected environmental data
figures, as these can convey an inaccurate
recorded over a number of years at Volkswagen plants
impression.
Freshwater and wastewater (Germany)
With reference to the diagrams showing

volumes for freshwater and wastewater, the
000 m3/a
Freshwater
following points should also be taken into
12,000
account:
Wastewater
The increase in intake and output volumes

is due to a rise in production output.
8,000
Since 1996, freshwater figures have been

calculated on the basis of drinking water,
4,000
spring water and rainwater used. Waste

water figures are based on effluent
measurements. As the quantity of water
1998
1999
2000
which evaporates is not included in these

figures, it is not possible to arrive at an
intake/output balance-sheet on the basis of
Freshwater and wastewater (Europe)
the figures shown.

The increase in the discrepancy between
000 m3/a
Freshwater
the figures for freshwater and wastewater at
16,000
the German plants is attributable principal-
Wastewater
ly to the Wolfsburg plant. Here, for the year

12,000
2000 alone, there was a discrepancy of

approximately 1 million cubic metres as a
8,000
result of damage sustained to the freshwater

supply system and the effects of heavy
4,000
rainfall, which were not measured. The

relatively high wastewater figure for 1998
1998
1999
2000
was also due to an exceptionally high level

of rainfall. Unlike in the year 2000, however,
this was measured.
92
93
Industrial waste (Germany)

Owing to the different denitions applied to
000 t/a
Industrial waste for recycling
types of waste in different countries and the
80
exible demarcation boundaries applied within
Industrial waste for disposal
concepts such as recycling/disposal or
60
Total industrial waste
product/waste, in 1998 Volkswagen introduced its own terminology valid throughout
40
the Group in order to standardise data for

statistical purposes.
20
1998
1999
2000
Although these in-house definitions build to a

considerable extent on German and European
standards, it was nevertheless necessary to

create and/or define the concepts used here,
such as industrial waste and hazardous
Industrial waste (Europe)
waste, where the term hazardous waste

signifies the increased environmental
000 t/a
Industrial waste for recycling
relevance of this particular waste category.
100
Industrial waste for disposal
80
Total industrial waste

60
40
20
1998
1999
2000
Hazardous waste (Germany)

In order to reproduce accurately the waste
000 t/a
statistics for production at the various plants,
80
Volkswagen decided to remove from the

Hazardous waste for recycling
equation any waste resulting from building
60
Hazardous waste for disposal
Total hazardous waste
activities, i.e. waste arising sporadically, such

as building rubble and excavated soil.
40
20
1998
1999
2000
6
Hazardous waste (Europe)

The conspicuous increase in hazardous waste
000 t/a
Hazardous waste for recycling
Hazardous waste for disposal
figures for Europe from 1999 to 2000 can be
100
attributed largely to the fact that these now

80
take into account plants not included in 1998
Total hazardous waste
and 1999 (e.g. Palmela). There have also been
60
increases in production output and in the

40
depth of vertical production at plants outside

Germany.
20
1998
1999
2000
CO2 emissions from in-house heat/power generation

(Germany)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions arise as a
000 t/a
CO2 from in-house heat/
power generation
94
95
direct result of combustion processes at the
300
various plants as well as indirectly as a result of

the outsourcing of electrical power and district
200
heating. Depending on the supply infrastruc100
ture of the plant, CO2 emissions released as a

1998
1999
2000
result of outsourced heat/power can form a signicant proportion of total CO2 emissions. For
example, they make up approximately 75 percent of total CO2 emissions for the Zwickau /
CO2 emissions from in-house heat/power generation

(Europe)
Calculation of total CO2 emissions is based on

the energy mix that applies in Germany. The
000 t/a
CO2 from in-house heat/
power generation
Mosel plant.
charts show only CO2 emissions resulting
500
directly from combustion processes at the

400
plants.
300
200
100
1998
1999
2000
Energy consumption (Europe)
Energy consumption (Germany)
000 MWh/a
000 MWh/a
Total energy consumption
of which, energy produced

in-house
Total energy consumption
8,000
of which, energy produced

in-house
6,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
4,000
2,000
2,000
1998
1999
1998
2000
1999
2000
The principal energy resources used are natural gas for

production purposes, as well as natural gas to generate
heat for technical processes and room heating, fuels for
96
97
production purposes and electrical power. Energy

purchased from external power stations accounts for a
major proportion of the total energy consumed.
Volatile organic compounds VOC (Germany)
Volatile organic compounds VOC (Europe)
000 t/a
Volatile Organic Compounds
000 t/a
Volatile Organic Compounds
12
1998
1999
2000
1998
1999
The development of VOC emissions in Europe essential-
Contact:
ly correlates with vehicle output. The average proportion
VOLKSWAGEN AG
of solvents in the low-solvent basecoat paints is
Environmental Planning Production/Plants
approximately 15 percent. The actual proportion of
Gnter Sager
solvents varies according to colour.
Letter box 1897

Tel. +49 5361 928066
2000
Partners & Projects
5
6
A Sign of Commitment
Environmental protection in the service sector
Volkswagen attaches the same importance to environ-
Waste Fractions Covered by Volkswagens

Free Take-Back Scheme
mental protection in its dealerships as it does in its

production facilities. The companys customers should
be secure in the knowledge that our dealerships will not
only provide quality service but will do so using working
practices which take full account of environmental
protection considerations. And these efforts are not just
restricted to Germany. Volkswagen has developed an
Airbags/seatbelt tensioners
Tyres
Batteries
Brake fluid
Anti-freeze
Class 1 mixed plastics
Fuel tanks
international standard which forms the basis both for
Wheel trims
the regular examination of environmental protection
Radiator grilles
issues at dealer level around the world and for the
Lock plates
implementation of enhancements where necessary.
Air filters
This standard is firmly integrated in the Groups quality
Oil and fuel filters
management system.
Wheel arch liners

Bumpers
It goes without saying that our dealers continue to
Shock absorbers
benet from the proven VW/Audi Environment
Laminated glass
Advisory Service and work with the three-volume
Packaging
environmental handbook. DEKRA, LUEG Umweltschutz
Wood, uncontaminated
and TV, who provide this service at local level on behalf
Plastic containers, empty
of Volkswagen, give dealers detailed advice on environ-
Metal containers, empty
mental protection issues relating to their business

operations and expert help in complying with environmental legislation. Dealerships can demonstrate their
special commitment to the environment by displaying a
certicate and an environmental seal. Practical everyday
hints and tips on environmental protection can be found
in the handbook Environmental Protection And Waste
Management in Service Operations which covers the
full spectrum of these topics.
Contact:
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Service Engineering
Manfred Fischer
Letter box 1947
Tel. +49 5361 928063
Cardboard, paper, cardboard boxes

Polyethylene film
Foam rubber
Polystyrene
Aerosol cans
(Status 07/2001)
7
Environmental Protection in the Service Sector/A Profile of the Stipschitz Dealership Partners & Projects
Were as good as our word

Volkswagen has added ten types or fractions of
packaging material to the range of items covered by its
free workshop waste recovery system. In July 2001, brake
fluid became the second service fluid (after anti-freeze)
for which a closed-loop materials cycle was established.
Every litre of brake fluid which is recovered is reconditioned and returned to the manufacturer where it is
used in the production of new, high-quality brake fluid,
thereby conserving resources and avoiding unnecessary
waste.
Used anti-freeze and brake uid is

reconditioned by the NTL company
98
99
We Want to Be an Eco-Friendly Dealership

In 2000, Austrias Robert Stipschitz GmbH became the rst car dealership in Europe
to be certied in line with the EC Eco-Audit and ISO 14001.
Robert Stipschitz
Volkswagen:
Volkswagen:
Volkswagen:
Mr. Stipschitz, what made you opt

for an Eco-Audit at your dealership?
How has your company beneted?
How have your competitors

reacted to that image-boost?
Robert Stipschitz:
It seemed like a logical step:
Volkswagen builds the most ecofriendly cars and my company
aims to operate to the same high
standards.
Robert Stipschitz:
Above all, through savings. Were
using less electricity, less water,
and less paint. And weve cut
energy costs by using a solar hotwater system. Weve also found
that our public image has been
given a real boost, as well.
Robert Stipschitz:
Ive had a lot of enquiries from
other dealers wanting to know just
what we had to do to qualify for
the Eco-Audit. But I also get the
occasional visitor from Volkswagen
in Wolfsburg, taking a look at how
we do things here.
Prole of Robert Stipschitz GmbH

Located to the south of Vienna
Peak sound level reduced by 3 dB (A)
Established by Robert Stipschitz in 1961
Solvent emissions reduced by 24%

between 1999 and 2000
160 employees
Water consumption per vehicle

reduced from 0.218 cubic metres (1998)
to 0.162 cubic metres (2000)
Veried in accordance with the EMAS

scheme (Regulation 1836/93/EC) and
certied in accordance with ISO 14001
(March 2000)
From 1999 to 2000, gas consumption

for heating purposes reduced by 11%
per square metre of heated space and
by 5% per vehicle processed in the
paintshop
Energy-saving measures
80% of site electricity supply switched
off after 19:00 hrs.
Temperature of high-pressure cleaner is
controlled (max. 55 Celsius)
Solar heating system installed to
provide hot water for high-pressure
cleaner, the sites hot-water
requirements and part of the heating
system
Gas consumption per vehicle painted

reduced by 26% from 198 kWh (1998) to
145 kWh (2000)
Since 1998, annual emissions of CO2
have been cut by 50 tonnes thanks to
our efforts.
Optimised coordination of paint jobs

Lighting controlled by exterior ambient
light level
Motion sensors installed in lesser-used
rooms
Gas consumption per vehicle

processed reduced by 30% from 311
kWh (1997) to 214 kWh (2000)
Hazardous waste per vehicle processed

has been reduced from 1.7 kg (1998) to
1.26 kg (2000)
www.stipschitz.at (in German only)
Volkswagen:
Volkswagen:
Volkswagen:
Your business is due for another

audit in three years time. What
new targets are you hoping to have
reached by then?
How exactly does protecting the

environment help you save
money?
But you must have incurred some

costs?
Robert Stipschitz:
Robert Stipschitz:
Robert Stipschitz:
Were out to reduce costs and
emissions even further, and were
going to be introducing a whole
package of measures.
Many of the savings come from

being better organised. We now
have a number of environmental
specialists at the company, each
responsible for a given area. They
are constantly coming up with improvements for us to implement
and all this without increasing our
personnel costs at all.
Sure, but weve already recovered

55 percent of what we invested.
Were saving between 35,000 and
70,000 euros a year.
7
A Profile of the Stipschitz Dealership/Implementing the ELV Directive Partners & Projects
Well-Oiled Cycle
Implementation of the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive
In order to implement the EU End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV)
Directive at national level in Germany, the sales
organisation faces the task of setting up a nationwide
take-back and recycling network. This is the only way of
ensuring that the final owner of a car will be able to
return it easily and free of charge at the end of its life.
Volkswagen currently has more than 1,600 authorised
Removal of used parts: disassembly line operated by

MAS Fahrzeugrecycling GmbH
take-back points in Germany. Furthermore, the

companys agreement with Callparts System GmbH
provides access to a network of some 40 authorised
ELV recycling operators. Working in partnership,
Volkswagen and Callparts System intend to expand this
network to between 200 and 250 authorised recycling
operators. Cars which are returned to these specialists
are dismantled and the parts are sent for recycling in
accordance with the requirements laid down in law and
by the Volkswagen Group. In the other EU countries,
VOLKSWAGEN AG is supporting the efforts of its
importers to set up comparable take-back and recycling
systems.
Service uids are drained from end-of-life vehicles at MAS Fahrzeugrecycling GmbH
100
101
Intelligence on the Move

The INVENT research project
Volkswagen is involved in INVENT
The pressures on our transport systems have increased
In the INVENT research initiative, we have
inexorably over recent years and all current forecasts
joined forces with other car manufacturers,
indicate that further substantial efforts will be called for
suppliers, electronics and IT companies, as
over the long term if we are to keep up with demand.
well as a number of universities and research
Despite all the work that has gone into developing
organisations. The total budget of some EUR
alternatives, ultimately it will not be possible to reduce
80 million reects the importance of this joint
the dominant role of road transport to any significant
effort. INVENT will run for four years and is
extent. And although numerous measures such as
sponsored by the BMBF.
PROMETHEUS and MOTIV, to name but two research

programmes have been implemented in the past to
INVENT is made up of three projects:
improve the situation, there are still many road
Active safety assistance for drivers (FAS)
transport problems for which solutions must be found
Traffic management 2010 (VM 2010)
as a matter of urgency.
Traffic management in transport and

logistics (VMTL)
According to a survey conducted by the German

automobile association ADAC, 33 percent of congestion
on German motorways is caused by accidents, 31
Researchers working on the Active safety
percent by roadworks and 32 percent by excessive trafc
assistance for drivers (FAS) project are
levels. In autumn 1999, the ADAC estimated that this was
looking at ways in which accidents can be
costing the German economy some EUR 250 million
avoided by increasing the level of active
every day.
vehicle safety. FAS sub-projects include a

congestion assistance system, forward-
In response, in June 2001 an industry consortium and
looking active safety features, vehicle
the German Ministry of Education and Research
environment sensing, driver behaviour, the
(BMBF) launched INVENT (the German acronym stands
man-machine interface and traffic impact, as
for intelligent traffic and user-friendly technology) a
well as legal issues and acceptance levels.
research initiative which seeks to use the intelligence

of individual vehicles to help tomorrows road traffic to
The VM 2010 project seeks to increase traffic
run more safely and smoothly. The initiatives objec-
efficiency while VMTL focuses on factors of
tives were defined in line with the Mobility and Traffic
special significance for goods transport. VM
programme which was launched by the Ministry in
2010 concentrates on the fields of traffic flow
March 2000. The aim is to make intelligent vehicles
enhancement and optimising use of the
part of an intelligent traffic network based on systems
available network capacity.
which provide continuous information both before

and during the journey about all the relevant modes of
transport, and which also support self-organising traffic
management and control strategies. The vehicles of the
future will be easy to operate, will adapt to the abilities
of the user and will make the task of driving less
demanding, thereby enhancing road safety.
7
Mobility Projects Partners & Projects
Towards intelligent driver assistance systems
volume of passengers and goods which the
In order to guide a vehicle safely from A to B, driver
roads can safely handle. However, such
assistance systems need access to a wide range of
systems can only be developed on the basis of
information concerning not only the vehicle itself but
intelligently networked information about the
also objects and obstacles, both in the immediate
vehicle environment and the ability to
vicinity and further away, plus information on the roads
interpret this information. Within the context
and the driver. Assistance systems act in many different
of the INVENT programme, Volkswagen, for
ways to help the driver keep the car stable and safely
example, is involved in mapping the entire
under control. The best-known examples are navigation
vehicle environment. All the data acquired at
systems and ABS antilock brakes. So far, the systems
a given moment by different sensor systems
available on the market have mainly used information
using radar, laser, video or ultrasound
about the vehicle in which they are installed. Future
technology is networked and analysed. By
systems, however, will need more information about
incorporating model data concerning traffic-
the course of the road and the behaviour of other road
relevant objects and situations, we can then
users, for example which can only be provided by
create a virtual model of the vehicle environ-
vehicle environment sensing technology.
ment. This image is evaluated by higher-level

driver assistance systems which then
Networked communications
compute specific trigger and response
As well as offering a higher degree of safety, new, more
strategies such as braking or steering
advanced assistance systems can help to increase the
movements.
Vehicle environment sensing for driver assistance systems
Distant
radar
Collision
warning
Automatic
distance control
Camera
Lane detection
Road-sign
detection
Laser
scanner,
left
Close
radar
Laser
scanner,
right
Lane-change
assistant
Blind-spot
elimination
Close
radar
Laser scanner,
rear
Diagram of sensor areas
102
103
Vehicle environment sensing and interpretation forms
go traffic by influencing the vehicles in the
the basis for intelligent assistance systems. The results
vicinity in order to prevent congestion
of the research and development work are being fed
occurring in the first place. Smooth traffic
straight into two INVENT applications projects
flows and the absence of congestion also
congestion assistant (STA) and forward-looking
result in reduced fuel consumption and
active safety (VAS) and contributing not only to an
emissions, thereby highlighting the positive
adaptive distance and cruise-control system but also to
contribution which traffic assistance systems
junction assistance systems, for example, which warn
can make to protecting the environment.
the driver of oncoming or crossing traffic when turning

at junctions where visibility is poor.
Exchanging key data

In order for the traffic assistance system to
In future, vehicle environment sensing will also make it
work, the vehicles have to register not only
possible to receive information from the area around a
their own position and speed, but also the
moving vehicle and to channel this data into intelligent
corresponding data from other vehicles. This
driver assistance systems in order to increase safety,
allows the driver to react that much more
comfort and environmental compatibility even further.
quickly and to adapt his behaviour both to the

local traffic situation and the general one. The
Driver assistance is the key to trafc assistance
technical prerequisites here are more
One way of increasing the capacity of the road network
sophisticated vehicle environment sensing,
and the efficiency of traffic is to achieve an optimum
accurate positioning, digital roadmaps with
match between the behaviour of individual drivers and
as many features as possible, and efficient
traffic patterns on the one hand and the prevailing local
communication between different vehicles
conditions on the other. To this end, the driver will be
and their on-board systems. This key data can
supported by a traffic assistance system which
then be exchanged in the form of individual
gathers all the relevant information including data
and collective recommendations or warnings.
from beyond the immediate vicinity of the car before

and during a journey and evaluates the implications for
Since summer 2001, as part of the INVENT
traffic conditions en route.
subproject Traffic flow assistance,

Volkswagen has been exploring the principles,
The information about the drivers own vehicle and
strategies and consequences of such systems.
those around it can then be used to develop an
The results of our efforts will help to ensure
optimum personal driving strategy. For example,
that safe, convenient and environmentally
suitably large gaps could be created in heavy motorway
compatible car-based mobility will remain
traffic just upstream of a slip-road, to allow traffic
available in the future not least in the
joining the motorway to merge without causing
interests of the environment.
congestion. Another application lies in easing stop-and-
Contact:
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Traffic Systems
Axel Riemann
Letter box 1774/1
Tel. +49 5361 926314
7
Mobility Projects/The VCD Cars and Environment Table Partners & Projects
Top of the League

The VCD Cars and the Environment table
Vehicles can only be considered for inclusion
Low fuel consumption and low emissions of the
in the Cars and the Environment table if
greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) put the Lupo 3L
they are standard production models and
TDI at the top of the Cars and the Environment table
their fuel consumption and emissions data
prepared by the German Association for Transport and
can be readily compared (i.e. pollutant and
the Environment (VCD). The assessment scheme
noise data is registered with the German
applied by the VCD is based on a 1997 report produced
Federal Motor Vehicle Office). That is why
by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
electric vehicles do not appear in the table
(IFEU). It takes account of the impact on the climate,
(they feature in a separate comparison of
the effect of noise and exhaust emissions on human
vehicles with alternative drive systems).
health and the damage incurred by nature.
According to the VCD, further optimisation of

conventional drive systems will remain the
top priority for the foreseeable future.
www.verkehrsclub-deutschland.de (in German only)
Top ten in the VCD Cars and the Environment

table 2001/2002
Score*
1. Audi A2 1.2 TDI 3L
7.87
VW Lupo 3L TDI
7.87
3. Toyota Yaris 1.0 linea eco
7.71
4. Daihatsu Cuore GL 3-door
7.51
Toyota Prius (hybrid drive)
7.51
6. Daihatsu Sirion CX 1.0
7.43
7. Suzuki Swift 1.0
7.20
8. Toyota Yaris 1.0 linea terra
7.16
9. Opel Corsa 1.0 12V
7.04
10. Daihatsu Move Pur
Assessment of
manufacturers
commitment to the
environment top ve
104
105
Score*
1. Audi
8.5
2. Volkswagen
8.2
3. Ford
7.9
7.9
MCC (smart)
7.5
5. BMW
6.99
*The scores for cars and manufacturers range from 0 (very poor) to 10
(very good)
Source: VCD - German Association for Transport and the Environment
A modern car which is rated as ecofriendly embodies a wide range of very

different elements and attributes: a highly
efcient and powerful drive system, low
noise emissions and an innovative
lightweight design not forgetting the use
of environmentally compatible materials
in the car itself and in the production
process.
The Volkswagen Group has provided an
impressive demonstration of its expertise
in this eld with the technology showcased
in the Lupo 3L TDI and Audi A2 ko. These
two models also show that a further
improvement in corporate average fuel
economy and hence in CO2 emissions
can only be achieved through a global

increase in the proportion of dieselpowered vehicles.
The diesel engine is set to retain its leading
position as an economical drive unit, but
that said, we are expecting our new FSI
technology to bring the fuel consumption
of petrol engines closer to the level
achieved by diesels.
Alternative drive technologies, such as the
fuel cell, are unlikely to be introduced in
the short term because of the large number
of technological hurdles such as the
sustainable generation, storage and
distribution of hydrogen which have yet
to be overcome.
Dr. Martin Winterkorn,

Member of the VOLKSWAGEN
AG Board of Management with
responsibility for Research and
Development
New Approaches to Marketing and Communication

The EcoTopTen project
tions and environmental associations, will also
Sponsored by the German Ministry of Education and
involve the development of new communica-
Research and run by the Institute for Applied Ecology in
tion and marketing concepts.
Freiburg, the EcoTopTen project seeks to bring about

far-reaching improvements in the environmental
Volkswagen is taking part in the Mobility
impact of the ten most important consumer fields
sector of the campaign with the Lupo 3L TDI.
(including nutrition, domestic life and mobility) in
We believe that environmental protection
Germany. These reductions in environmental impact
should have no connotations of self-denial or
can only be achieved if there is a supply of and demand
restriction. This outlook had a major inuence
for environmentally compatible products. But ecologi-
on the development and marketing of the
cal products will not outsell conventional ones purely
3-litre Lupo, which has been available in
on the strength of being better for the environment.
Germany since mid 1999. Hence our decision
Indeed, to a certain extent, eco-products suffer from a
not to position this vehicle as an eco-car, but
poorer image in the eyes of consumers for whom
to offer a fully-edged model whose safety,
environmental protection has long-standing associa-
comfort, performance and design match the
tions of doing without, fear of the future and moral
very high standard of its environmental
one-upmanship.
credentials. Volkswagen is bringing the wealth

of marketing experience which it acquired with
Because eco-products which are not accepted by
the Lupo 3L TDI to this joint project from which
customers do nothing to help the environment, the main
we hope to harvest new ndings.
aim of the project is to design and market products in
www.oeko.de (in German only)
such a way that they are successful in the market. The

core message is that EcoTopTen items are not only
eco-friendly, but also high-quality, attractive and
affordable products, too. To this end, the campaign
being planned by the Institute for Applied Ecology and
its various partners from industry, consumer organisa-
Dr. Rainer Griehammer from

the Institute for Applied Ecology
(at the wheel of the 3-litre
Lupo) and Rudolf Stobbe (Head
of Environment, Industrial Safety
and Trafc Systems at
VOLKSWAGEN AG) at the
Berlin Automobilforum in
November 2000, where the
EcoTopTen project was rst
presented to the public
7
The EcoTopTen Project/Partnership with NABU Partners & Projects
Committed to Nature
Cooperation between Volkswagen and the German
Society for Nature Conservation
With more than 360,000 members, NABU is
Volkswagen and the non-profit German Society for
respected environmental and conservation
Nature Conservation (NABU) have entered into a
organisations in Germany. The preservation
partnership intended to strengthen cooperation and
of the natural habitats of many endangered
mutual understanding. The purpose of the partnership
species of plants and animals is just one of its
is to run joint projects geared to supporting sustainable
achievements.
development. Both parties are committed to engaging
www.nabu.de (in German only)
one of the best known and most highly
in an open exchange of what may at times be conflicting

views and standpoints and to supporting the develop-
Contact:
ment of innovative solutions specially designed to help
VOLKSWAGEN AG
the environment.
Reinhold Kopp
Director, Corporate
Volkswagen and NABU look on this unique agreement as
Government Relations
a sign of their shared sense of responsibility for ensuring
Letter box 1882
that Germany pursues a policy of sustainable develop-
ment which takes account of the needs of future
Tel. +49 5361 978622
generations. The projects relate to the elds of Work and

the Environment and Sustainable Mobility. In March
2001, for example, a 3-litre Lupo with paintwork by
artist Elvira Bach was auctioned by Volkswagen, the
proceeds going to the NABU National Natural Heritage
foundation.
Presentation of a Lupo 3L TDI to NABU: (left to right ) Christoph

Heinrich, Petra Wassmann, Gerd Billen, Reinhold Kopp, Renate
Mentzel, Bernd Pieper
106
107
Guidelines for Sustainability Reporting

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
In preparing this Environmental Report, we
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) was established in
have geared our activities to the basic
Boston, USA, in 1997. Its aim is to develop a globally
principles of the Sustainability Reporting
accepted framework for drawing up and using company
Guidelines. We have done so in order to
sustainability reports. GRI participants comprise
emphasise that we see this report as part of
companies, NGOs, consultants, auditors, associations
our social obligation to provide transparency
and other stakeholder groups. The aim of the initiative
in line with the concept of sustainable
is to develop standards for reporting as well as to
development. However, in selecting our
identify general and industry-specific indicators. A
indicators we have not always followed the
second, revised edition of the GRI Sustainability
Guidelines as we believe that the indicators
Reporting Guidelines, which will lead to comparable
which they specify are not always likely to
sustainability reports from companies in different
increase the overall reporting quality. From
industries, was published in 2000.
our point of view, the problematic aspects of

the GRI are the lack of consideration of the
Volkswagen is involved in this dialogue because we
social debate in Europe and a report structure
regard the GRI approach as an important contribution
which is too rigid. We are confident, however,
to presenting the ecological and social dimensions of
that further discussions with input from
our company as a corporate citizen. Reporting on
stakeholders, institutes and rating organisa-
sustainability helps establish the transparency which
tions including SustainAbility, the Institute
must go hand-in-hand with economic globalisation.
for Ecological Research (IW), the Institute

for Applied Ecology and the environmental
market research institute (imug) will lead to
an outcome which most of those concerned
will find acceptable.
www.globalreporting.org
7
The Global Reporting Initiative/The Sustainable Mobility Project Partners & Projects
Working for the Future

Volkswagen as a partner in the
Sustainable Mobility project
The work of the initiative is divided into three

phases:
Mobility creates prosperity, jobs and access to cultural

diversity, and it helps to forge new ties. Demand for
Preparation of a report (Mobility 2001) by
mobility increases exponentially with a populations
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
average income, in a trend which represents a great
(MIT), which presents the current mobility
challenge for the automotive industry both in industrialised countries and in developing and newly industrialising countries, too.
situation (published in October 2001)

Development of a scoping study to
determine the key topics to be addressed
en route to sustainable mobility
The Sustainable Mobility project set up by the World

Business Council for Sustainable Development
(WBCSD), which counts Volkswagen among its founder
Development of the Sustainable Mobility

2030 vision
www.wbcsd.org
members, is designed to tackle this challenge. The

project triggers a searching, learning and implementa-
108
109
tion process at both corporate and social level. The aim

is the long-term safeguarding and integration of the
economic, ecological and social aspects of mobility.
The project is designed to help to align societys
demands for mobility with measures which will keep
that mobility sustainable. The companies involved have
Companies Involved in the

Sustainable Mobility Project
BP
DaimlerChrysler
Ford
set themselves the target of developing a vision or

scenarios of sustainable mobility in the year 2030, as
General Motors
well as defining the concrete steps required to realise
Honda
these visions.
Michelin
In order to reach the broadest and strongest consensus
Nissan
on how to achieve sustainable mobility, since Novem-
Norsk Hydro
ber 2000, stakeholder discussions have been held

between the project members and representatives of
governments, the scientific community, NGOs and
interest groups. Furthermore, the content of the project
Renault
Shell
Toyota
is being supported by associated partners from

governments, international authorities, the scientific
Volkswagen
community and trade associations.
Status: 02/2002
110
111
Environmental Protection the

Easy Way
certainly consumes more water than a car wash
Drive carefully save fuel
not even certain that the wastewater will ever be
Dont start the engine until youre ready to drive off.
treated, because many surface-water drainage
With todays engines, you can change up early, even
systems are not linked to sewage treatment
before you reach 2,000 rpm. Always use the highest
plants at all. The only way to minimise the
possible gear and avoid braking and accelerating
environmental impact of cleaning the car is to
unnecessarily. Turn the engine off during long waits at
use a car wash that displays the Blue Angel
traffic lights or level crossings. The lights, fan and
logo. These systems separate out the pollutants
heated rear window all consume electricity, so only run
and keep on re-using the ltered wastewater
them for as long as you need to. Avoid carrying
until its contamination content reaches a set
unnecessary extra weight: roof-racks, ski boxes, wheel
level. As a result, only ten to 50 litres of
arch flares etc. increase weight, drag and fuel consump-
freshwater are used per wash. The ideal time to
tion. 20 kilograms of extra weight increases fuel
head for the car wash is when it has been
consumption by 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres, as do
raining, because then the dirt will already have
underinflated tyres, which wear faster and offer
been softened. And when you polish the car,
increased rolling resistance. You can exceed the
remember that solvent-free water-based hard
specified tyre pressures by 0.2 bar with no problem.
waxes make more sense than polishes and
and the chemicals in the wastewater go straight

into the drains without being treated. In fact, its
cleaning waxes from an ecological point of view.

Fit low-friction tyres as they can improve fuel consump-
www.volkswagen-environment.de/applications
tion by as much as six percent compared with tyres with

high rolling resistance. Have your car maintained
Driver training
regularly: old spark plugs, a dirty air or oil filter or
Improving road safety and contributing to
incorrect ignition settings can increase fuel consump-
environmental protection these are the aims
tion by as much as ten percent. Fuel-efficient engine
of the fuel economy and road safety training
oils reduce the friction between the moving parts of the
courses which Volkswagen has been organising
engine and can cut your fuel bill by up to six percent in
since 1996. Adopting an economical style of
urban traffic. Avoid short journeys. A mid-size family car
driving is not just good for the environment, it
uses some 30 to 40 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres
also boosts your own safety and that of other
during the first four kilometres it covers after starting
road users, too. More than 40,000 people have
from cold. Every cold start leads to a significant increase
already been trained in the theory and practice
in average fuel consumption and environmental
of safe and economic driving a combination
impact.
which Volkswagen is the only manufacturer to

offer. Choose between basic and intensive
Eco-friendly car wash
courses designed to analyse and improve your
Every time a car is washed, the wastewater contains
driving habits under normal conditions and in
detergent, wax residues, oil, tar and petrol. So we would
extreme situations. The courses, which use
suggest that you dont wash your car too often,
company-owned standard production vehicles
especially during dry spells. If it has been snowing, it is
equipped with multimedia systems, are held at
good idea to wash off road salt to prevent rusting. If the
some 50 locations throughout Germany. The
car has been exposed to large amounts of road salt, an
main target groups are professional drivers and
underbody wash also makes sense, as its those hidden
new drivers. Accurate monitoring of progress
areas in particular, like the wheel arches and under-
is ensured by means of video cameras which
body, that are most vulnerable to rust.
record the drivers every move. And the

average saving in fuel consumption when you
Washing your car by hand does the most damage to the
adopt an economical style of driving lies in the
environment, which is why its been prohibited in many
region of 30 percent.
places. It may not consume much electricity but it
www.sparsicherheitstraining.de (in German only)
Conclusion & Appendix
5
6
And the Winner Is...

The Environmental Report 1999/2000 in retrospect
The future on the Internet
As a global player with production sites on all conti-
Volkswagens environmental homepage was
nents, Volkswagen has a special responsibility to
updated to coincide with the appearance of
society. That is why we report regularly on targets,
the previous print version of the Report in
activities and developments relating to environmental
December 1999. Links and contact addresses
protection. Since 1995, we have published an Environ-
have made it far easier for surfers to contact
mental Report every two years and for Rudolf Stobbe,
us and signposted the increasing future
Volkswagens Chief Environmental Officer, this now
significance of environmental reporting. A
ranks on a par with the companys Annual Financial
monthly total of some 1,000 on-line orders for
Statements. Although the subject matter is sometimes
the Environmental Report are part of the
complex, we always aim to make the Report clear,
reason why the Internet will in future play an
transparent and easily understandable. At the same
ever more important part in our environmen-
time, the Report has come to represent an effective
tal communications. At
means of conducting a dialogue with all stakeholders:
not only our customers, the general public, the media,
Internet users will find regularly updated
trade associations, environmental organisations and
information on environmental protection
politicians, but also our staff, dealers and suppliers.
matters at Volkswagen.
Communication knows no frontiers
An independent opinion
In the past, international interest in the Report has been
We also commissioned a survey of the
substantial, be it in English as the Environmental
reactions of environmental organisations and
Report, in German as the Umweltbericht or in French as
NGOs, public authorities and politicians,
the Rapport sur lenvironnement. As a result, the
scientists and researchers, suppliers, staff,
Environmental Report 1999/2000 was published in six
banks and dealers. The environmental market
languages with a total print run of 137,000 copies.
research institute, imug (Institut fr MarktUmwelt-Gesellschaft), Hanover, wrote to
The Volkswagen Environmental Report 1999/2000
some 2,700 readers and interviewed environmental reporting experts. The findings clearly
show that users are primarily interested in
the Environmental Report for professional
Language
Circulation
purposes and that it is used relatively

intensively. The target groups awarded the
German
80,000
Environmental Report an overall mark of 2 on
Japanese
28,000
a scale from 1 (very good) to 6 (very poor) in
English
10,000
Environmental Reports design, diverse
French
10,000
subject matter and lucid style were praised.
Chinese
5,500
comparison and an insufficiently self-critical
Italian
3,500
approach to problematical issues were
terms of form and content. Specifically, the
However, the absence of benchmarks for
Total
137,000
identified as areas with scope for improvement. We have, of course, endeavoured to

take all of this feedback into account in the
present Environmental Report.
8
The Environmental Report 1999/2000 Conclusion & Appendix
International recognition
Volkswagen emerged in tenth place, the
Our readers assessment was also reected in various
highest ranking German company in the
environmental rankings. For example, our Environmen-
survey. In the overall assessment of the
tal Report was ranked third out of 150 German companies
automotive industry, our report was awarded
in the rankings drawn up by the Institute for Ecological
first place with 95 points.
Research (IW) and the employers association,

future e.V., published by the German business magazine
The authors of the survey reached the overall
Capital in July 2000. As such, it was the best report from
conclusion that Volkswagen dominates the
the automotive industry.
automotive sector in virtually all the reporting
www.ranking-umweltberichte.de (in German only)
categories investigated (Management,

Economic, Social & Ethical, Environmental,
Volkswagens position was also confirmed by the
Multidimensional). Although the reports
findings of an international comparative study into
primary emphasis was on environmental
sustainability reporting, commissioned from the British
protection, Volkswagen was credited with a
consultancy SustainAbility Ltd. by the United Nations
high level of awareness of its impact on the
Environmental Programme and published in November
social and financial sectors, and praised for
2000. This study, entitled The global reporters the
the systematic reporting of strategic business
first international benchmark survey of corporate
decisions.
sustainability reporting is a worldwide comparison of
www.sustainability.com
companies which publish sustainability reports.
The German Environmental Reporting Award
Golden Pillar
The Environment Report 1999/2000 came second out of 65 in the

German Environmental Reporting Award 2000 competition organised by the German Chamber of Accountants (WPK) and was rated
the best report from the automotive sector. The jury acclaimed the
exceptional clarity of presentation of the Report, the extremely
complete coverage of topics, the lucidity of the explanation of the
Group environmental policy and related activities, and the
Reports reader-friendliness. The general evaluation criteria for the
award are completeness, credibility and communication. The aim
of the competition is to reward the most meaningful and innovative presentation of corporate environmental management and,
by applying uniform evaluation criteria, to improve comparability
in environmental reporting.
The Environment Report 1999/2000 was singled out for

special praise by the German Public Relations Society
(DPRG) in June 2000. The commendation placed particular emphasis upon the high communicative quality of the
current report. The preceding 1997 report won the DPRGs
Golden Pillar 1999. The DPRG presents annual awards
for strategically planned and superbly deployed public
relations work by companies, organisations and public
sector institutions, as well as their PR consultants and
agencies.
www.dprg.de/branch/wett/wett_2.htm (in German only)
112
113
Complete, Veriable and Accurate

What external auditing means for the
Environmental Report
Government Relations, Dr. Ariane Reinhart,
How can the reader be sure that the information in this
Relations, and Dr. Kristian Ehinger, Legal
Environmental Report is a true reflection of the facts?
Affairs, Deputy Chief Legal Adviser. The aim
And how can he or she be certain that the Report is not
of the meeting was to discover the current
telling just one side of the story? The answer is certifica-
development status of Volkswagens sustain-
tion or, more accurately, external auditing followed by
ability strategy and to verify the data
certification an approach which is already firmly
presented in the report.
Central Personnel Services and Labour
established at Volkswagen. Perhaps you wondered while

reading our last Environmental Report what exactly the
But that was only the start of the auditors
certificate (opposite) was awarded for? What actually
work. At Wolfsburg, the home of the Central
happens during an external audit?
Research and Development function and the

place where the data from Volkswagens
The purpose of external auditing is to enhance the
worldwide sites are compiled, numerous
overall credibility of our environmental reporting. In
individual checks and inspections were
1999, the German Institute of Accountants introduced a
carried out to compare the most significant
standard for such audits, the Generally Accepted
environmentally relevant information with
Standards for Audits of Environmental Reports
the data presented in the Environmental
(IDW PS 820).
Report. Any errors found were corrected and

cross-checked. Verifying all the statements
Certified public accountant Rdiger Tscher, environ-
meant inspecting volumes of documentary
mental auditor Dr. Michael Fahrbach and their
evidence and conducting many face-to-face
colleagues Tobias J. Petrovic and Ralf Pfitzner from
meetings in the relevant specialist depart-
accountants KPMG were commissioned by Volkswagen
ments with Udo Westfal, Head of Type-
to examine the accuracy, completeness and appropriate
Approval Testing, or Dr. Rudolf Krebs, Head of
presentation of content of this Environmental Report.
Petrol Engine Preliminary Development and
Their key task was to record and examine the system
Werner Widuckel from the General Works
used to collect and process the environmental reporting
Council. The auditors are also entitled to
data in order to evaluate the quality and reliability of the
demand to inspect files, including those held
information. Their work was also based on an inspec-
by the Head of Group Research.
tion of the files and data which Volkswagen had

compiled or updated over the past two years.
On completion of the on-site phase of the

work, the information presented in the
On the first day of the audit at the Wolfsburg plant, the
Environmental Report must be known to be
experts from KPMG met with Rudolf Stobbe, Head of
complete, veriable and accurate. Only then
Environment, Industrial Safety and Traffic Systems, Dr.
can a certicate be awarded.
Horst Minte, Head of Product, Environment and Traffic

Systems and Dr. Ulrich Menzel and Martin Gebhardt
from the Environmental Report editorial team. In an
introductory session, the auditors questions regarding
the content of the report were answered and data
verification meetings scheduled. The key topic of
sustainability also led to a meeting between the
auditors and Reinhold Kopp, Head of Corporate
Dr. Ariane Reinhart and Dr. Kristian Ehinger

at an audit meeting
8
Auditing the Report/Auditors Attestation Conclusion & Appendix
Attestation Report
product life cycle from development, production and
(Translation from the German original)
use to disposal for the 2000 financial year and up to the
In a letter dated August 23, 2001, KPMG Deutsche Treuhand-
beginning of the new model year in the summer of 2001.
Gesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprfungsgesellschaft
The Sustainability and Social Responsibility chapter of
was commissioned by VOLKSWAGEN AG Wolfsburg to examine
the Environmental Report presents numerous activities
the Volkswagen Marques Environmental Report 2001/2002.
and initiatives which relate to the impact of the Volkswagen

Marque on stakeholders and society. The information
Responsibilities
presented in this chapter is accurate and reflects the
Responsibility for the preparation of the Environmental Report
current status of development and implementation of a
and the contents thereof lies with the legal representatives of
sustainability strategy by Volkswagen. Despite the global
VOLKSWAGEN AG. Based on our audit, our responsibility is to
validity of the Environmental Report, several environ-
express an opinion on the Environmental Report.
mental aspects are presented from a regional viewpoint

and the statements made at these locations cannot readily
Subject of the audit
be transposed to other regions.
We examined the printed version of the Environmental Report

2001/2002 in its first edition of December 2001. Our audit included:
Recommendations
examination of the data presented within the Environmental
VOLKSWAGEN AG has largely implemented the
Report with regard to correct determination, accurate repro-
recommendations made in our attestation report in the
duction, clarity, plausibility, relevance and currency
Environmental Report 1999/2000. The activities carried out
examination of the Environmental Report with regard to
since the Environmental Report 1999/2000 relating to the
completeness and appropriate representation of the significant
development and implementation of a consistent and
impacts of corporate activities on the environment, stakeholders
appropriately designed sustainability strategy with defined
and society
fields of activity should be continued. With a view to the
evaluation and assessment of the contents of the Environmental

Report as a whole.
anticipated requirements in terms of sustainability

reporting, we recommend the introduction of a worldwide
Due to Volkswagens chosen approach of presenting a sample
information system including non-environmental
selection of activities at the various production sites in the
indicators and metrics. The sustainability strategy should
Environmental Report, our audit did not cover the completeness
also take account of the supply chain.
and appropriateness of the data relating to these sites, especially

since many of these sites operate an environmental management
We also recommend that environmental data from non-
system verified in line with EMAS or ISO 14001. The information
European sites be integrated into the environmental
presented in the Environmental Report relating to these sites was
information system and that the ongoing development of
examined only for accuracy, clarity and correct determination.
the system be continued. We welcome the creation of

worldwide environmental standards for Volkswagen car
Nature and scope of audit
production. Future Environmental Reports should report
We conducted our audit in accordance with the Generally Accepted
the progress made in implementing these standards.
Standards for Audits of Environmental Reports (IDW PS 820) issued
We also recommend that the Environmental Report of the
by the German Institute of Accountants. Based on our experience
Volkswagen Marque be extended to the Volkswagen Group.
and findings from previous audits of environmental reports, our

findings from recording and examining the system for collecting,
preparing and processing information and data for VOLKSWAGEN
AGs Environmental Report, and initial assessments of the
KPMG Deutsche Treuhand-Gesellschaft
plausibility of the Environmental Report, we identified critical areas
Aktiengesellschaft
for examination, drew up an audit strategy and prepared a schedule
Wirtschaftsprfungsgesellschaft
for detailed examination on the basis of random samples. In
Barbarossaplatz 1 a
addition to an evaluation of plausibility, the detailed examination
50674 Cologne, Germany
also included inspecting documents and supporting evidence, and

interviewing employees of VOLKSWAGEN AG.
Cologne, October 15, 2001
Findings
Our audit revealed that the information presented in the
Environmental Report is accurate and not inconsistent with other
representations made and supporting evidence provided. In our
opinion, VOLKSWAGEN AGs Environmental Report is a complete
and appropriate representation, insofar as materially relevant, of the
Rdiger Tscher
Dr. Michael Fahrbach
impact on the environment of the Volkswagen Marque over the
Certified Public Accountant
Environmental Auditor
114
115
Glossary
This glossary denes some of the
CSR
terrestrial by means of ground-
key terms used in the Report.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
based transmission masts.
Detailed explanations and
covers economic, ecological and
Thanks to the high transmission
additional terms, which are
social aspects of corporate
rate of 10-30 Mbit/s, it is possible
constantly being updated, can be
activities and their impact on
to broadcast a huge number of
found on the Internet at:
society.
programmes. This is the ideal

solution to the capacity
www.volkswagen-environment.de/glossary
Direct injection
problems arising from the
Alternating current disc

rotor motor
Injection of fuel directly into the
frequency limitations associated
combustion chamber (as
with analogue television. DVB-T
Electric motors are usually
opposed to injection into the
also provides excellent picture
cylindrical in form. Very little
intake manifold).
and sound quality.
length is available in the hybrid

power train because the electric
Direct injection, wall-guided: the
GPRS
motor must fit between the
jet impinges on the piston crown
General Packet Radio Service:
internal combustion engine and
(combustion chamber wall), so
Theoretically, the GPRS data
the gearbox. As a result, the
advantageously giving rise to a
transmission standard permits
motor is disc-shaped, i.e. thin
stable fuel/air mixture. This
transmission speeds of up to 128
with a large diameter.
method is used in petrol
kbit/s, but in practice speeds
engines.
will initially be limited to 28
Bluetooth
kbit/s (D2, Viag) or 40-50 kbit/s
Global, open wireless data
Direct injection, jet-guided: the
(D1, E-Plus). As its name would
transmission standard using the
injected cloud of mixture is
suggest, GPRS is a packet-
free ISM frequency band at 2.4
ignited before it can come into
switched system, the data being
GHz. Bandwidth 1 Mbit; max. net
contact with the piston. This
transmitted in small packets
data rate 768 kbit/s; range 30-100
method is used in petrol
whenever network capacity is
metres.
engines.
available. While this means that

the network is not overloaded, it
CCS
Direct injection, compression
also means that very few data
Combined Combustion System:
ignition: without external
packets can be sent when the
Combustion system which
ignition (no spark plug or glow
network is operating at full
combines the advantages of
plug). Diesel engines feature
capacity.
both types of internal combus-
compression ignition. TDI =
tion engines (petrol and diesel).
direct injection diesel engine.
Green Paper
The Green Papers published by
CGH2
DVB-T
the European Commission are
Hydrogen as a compressed gas.
Digital Video Broadcasting
intended to stimulate debate at a
Terrestrial: terrestrial transmis-
European level about funda-
CNG
sion of digital television. In the
mental policy objectives in
Compressed Natural Gas:
past, digital radio and television
certain sectors (e.g. social policy,
Mixture of gases containing
have been transmitted by
single currency, telecommunica-
75-98% methane.
satellite and then distributed to
tions, end-of-life vehicle
the final consumer by cable.
recycling). The consultation
With DVB-T, final transmission is
processes and agreements
8
Glossary of Terms Conclusion & Appendix
arising from the Green Paper
for economic reasons. It plays an
NGO
may give rise to a White Paper
essential role, for example, in
Non-governmental organisation.
which makes specific proposals
the long-distance transport of
for Community action.
natural gas by sea. It can also
Part load operation
be used as an automotive fuel.
The engine is not operating at its
Homogeneous lean mode
maximum power output or the
Engine operation with a
Load levelling
accelerator pedal is only partly
homogeneous fuel/air mixture
Under normal driving condi-
depressed; full load = accelerator
with excess air.
tions, the internal combustion
pedal fully depressed.
engine is often operated at low
Intake manifold
power (e.g. at a low, constant
A duct with a round cross-
speed), at which the engines
Partially homogenised,
externally ignited
section between the throttle
efciency is relatively poor. If the
Only a proportion of the fuel/air
valve and cylinder head.
electric motor is operated as a
mixture in the combustion
generator at these times, the
chamber is fully homogenised;
Intake manifold injection
specic load and thus the
the remainder is less well mixed
The fuel is injected into the
efciency of the internal
and generally contains an excess
intake manifold upstream from
combustion engine can be raised.
of air. External ignition: a spark
the inlet valve (as opposed to
However, since the energy
(or glow) plug is required.
direct injection into the
generated is then stored in the
combustion chamber).
battery, the overall efciency of
PDA
the entire system must be
A personal digital assistant is a
taken into account.
pocket computer (or palmtop or
ISM
Designates equipment and
handheld computer) which runs
facilities which generate and
MOTIV
on a standardised operating
consume radio frequency energy
The German national joint
system, such as WIN CE, Pocket
for industrial, scientific and
research programme (1996-2000)
Linux, Palm OS, Epoc.
medical purposes.
into mobility and transport in

intermodal systems comprising
Power ow
LH2
two sub-programmes: Safe
Describes the path by which the
Liquid hydrogen.
Roads (development of new
vehicles motive power proceeds
driver assistance systems to
from generation to the road, i.e.
LNG
improve road safety) and
from the internal combustion
Liquefied Natural Gas is natural
Mobility in Conurbations
engine (or electric motor) via the
gas consisting mainly of methane,
(preparations for the creation of
gearbox to the wheels.
liqueed by cooling to a tempera-
integrated multimodal transport
ture of approximately -167 C.
systems), including development
PROMETHEUS
LNG must be well insulated to be
of a mobility and transport data
Transport programme initiated
stored in a liquid state. Cooling
network.
by the German automotive
is the only way to liquefy natural
industry (1986-1994) with 50
gas since this cannot be done by
Multipoint injection system
percent national funding from
means of pressure. LNG is
Air-assisted injection.
the Federal Ministry of Educa-
preferred to -> CNG on account
Multipoint: each cylinder has its
tion, Science, Research &
of its higher energy content and
own fuel injector.
Technology (BMFT) with the aim
116
117
of developing concepts and
Sulphur-free fuel
Workholder value
solutions for making European
Fuel with a sulphur content of
Management for workholder
transport safer, more economic,
< 10 ppm (= parts per million).
value endeavours to take
environmentally sounder and
account of employee (work-
more user-friendly using cutting
Swirl chamber
holder) interests as part of an
edge electronic systems (starting
Secondary chamber in the
integrated management system.
point: vehicle guidance).
cylinder head of a conventional
Workholder value includes
car diesel engine in which the
concepts such as job security,
Shareholder value
intake air is compressed by the
fair pay and corporate benefits.
Management for shareholder
piston and so heated to a high
value has the objective of
temperature. Finely atomised
WOW
achieving benefits for share-
diesel fuel is injected into the
World on Wheels: Volkswagen
holders. Ideally, the shareholder
chamber and the mixture ignites
joint research project with
will enjoy a high dividend and
spontaneously in the com-
DVB-T trials in northern
rising share prices. Shareholder
pressed air.
Germany (technical manage-
value may also be expressed as
ment: Institut fr Nachrichten-
the market value of corporate
TDI pump/injector system
technik). At EXPO 2000,
equity.
Pump/injector system, direct
Volkswagen demonstrated
injection system: a pump/injec-
DVB-T in five Business Caravelle
SMS
tor unit at each cylinder
vehicles. DVB-T is a trans-
Short Message Service:
generates injection pressures
mission standard which makes it
A service allowing short
exceeding 2,000 bar, thereby
possible to receive digital data
messages consisting of words,
ensuring clean combustion and
services and TV programmes on
numbers or a combination of the
high levels of efficiency.
mobile systems, too.
two to be exchanged between

mobile telephones.
UNEP
United Nations Environmental
Stakeholder value
Programme: headed by the
Management for stakeholder
former German environment
value endeavours to take account
minister Klaus Tpfer since 1998.
of the interests of the relevant

social interest groups (stake-
White Paper
holders). Stakeholder value is
See Green Paper.
the value created by meeting

stakeholder demands.
8
How to Contact Us Conclusion & Appendix
Contacts
General questions on
VOLKSWAGEN AG
VOLKSWAGEN AG
environmental protection and
Industrial Safety (Work
Service Engineering
the Environmental Report should
Environment)
Manfred Fischer
be addressed to:
Jrg Nothdurft
Letter box 1947
Letter box 1426
Tel. +49 5361 928063
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Environmental Communication
and Reporting
Tel. +49 5361 925991
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Dr. Ulrich Menzel
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Corporate Government
Letter box 1774/3
Vehicle Use, Vehicle Recycling
Relations
Dr. Hartmut Heinrich
Reinhold Kopp
Tel. +49 5361 972804
Letter box 1774/2
Letter box 1882
Fax +49 5361 972960
e-mail: ulrich.menzel@volkswagen.de
Tel. +49 5361 976040
Tel. +49 5361 978622
Specialist questions should be
VOLKSWAGEN AG
VOLKSWAGEN AG
addressed to the relevant
Traffic Systems
Government Relations,
department below:
Axel Riemann
Science and Technology
Letter box 1774/1
Dr. Hans-Jrgen Schfer
Letter box 1882
Tel. +49 5361 926314
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Research, Environment and
Transportation
Tel. +49 5361 972859
Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Letter box 1775/0
Energy Conversion
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Dr. Wolfgang Steiger
Communications
Tel. +49 5361 926670
Letter box 1778
Harthmuth Hoffmann
Letter box 1971
Tel. +49 5361 928592
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Environment, Industrial Safety
Tel. +49 5361 928699
and Traffic Systems
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Rudolf Stobbe
Environmental Protection
Letter box 1896
Procurement
Questions on environmental pro-
Wolfgang Gdicke
tection at individual Volkswagen
Tel. +49 5361 923248
Letter box 1774/3
plants should be directed to the
respective Plant Environment
Tel. +49 5361 923807
Officer (see plant environmental
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Product, Environment and
statements).
Traffic Systems
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Dr. Horst Minte
Environmental Management
Further information can be found
Letter box 1774/3
Officer - Product
on the Internet at:
Dieter Pundt
Tel. +49 5361 978428
Letter box 1768/0
e-mail: environment@volkswagen.de
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Environmental Planning,
Production/Plants
Gnter Sager
Letter box 1897
Tel. +49 5361 928066

Tel. +49 5361 976800
118
119
information material on
Order form for
VOLKSWAGEN AG, 38436 Wolfsburg, Germany
For a copy of the latest Volkswagen

Annual Report, please write to:
Environmental Statement, VW Kraftwerk Wolfsburg
Environmental Statement, VW Kraftwerk Kassel
Environmental Statement, Wolfsburg Plant
Environmental Statement, Salzgitter Plant
Environmental Statement, Zwickau/Mosel Plant
Environmental Statement, Kassel Plant
Environmental Statement, Emden Plant
Environmental Statement, Chemnitz Plant
Environmental Statement, Brunswick Plant
Environmental Statements
Note: Environmental Statements are available in German
only.
Environmental Report 2001/2002 (English)
Environmental Report 2001/2002 (German)
Environmental Reports
Please tick the brochures you would like to receive:
information material on
Order form for
VOLKSWAGEN AG, 38436 Wolfsburg, Germany
For a copy of the latest Volkswagen

Annual Report, please write to:
Environmental Statement, VW Kraftwerk Wolfsburg
Environmental Statement, VW Kraftwerk Kassel
Environmental Statement, Wolfsburg Plant
Environmental Statement, Salzgitter Plant
Environmental Statement, Zwickau/Mosel Plant
Environmental Statement, Kassel Plant
Environmental Statement, Emden Plant
Environmental Statement, Chemnitz Plant
Environmental Statement, Brunswick Plant
Environmental Statements
Note: Environmental Statements are available in German
only.
Environmental Report 2001/2002 (English)
Environmental Report 2001/2002 (German)
Environmental Reports
Please tick the brochures you would like to receive:
1st edition 12/01

Copyright 2001: VOLKSWAGEN AG,
Environment, Industrial Safety and
Traffic Systems
Concept/Editing:
VOLKSWAGEN AG
crossrelations, Dsseldorf
Layout/Graphic design:
nogala Werbeagentur, Dortmund
English translation:
Bauer-Boothroyd bersetzungen, Schorndorf
Photos:
VOLKSWAGEN AG
A.G.E.-Pearces (Mauritius, Frankfurt)
A.G.E.-Stock (Mauritius, Frankfurt)
P. Chesley (NGS, Washington)
J. Freeman (Getty Images, Munich)
B. Limberger (LOOK, Munich)
P. Mozell (Stock Boston, Boston)
D. Obertreis (Bilderberg, Hamburg)
R. Olsenius (NGS, Washington)
R. Wei (Brunswick)
Lithography:
dpi productions GmbH, Dsseldorf
Printed by:
Druckerei Schlter Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH,
Schnebeck (Elbe)
All rights reserved by VOLKSWAGEN AG,

Wolfsburg. Reproduction of copy or images
only with the prior permission of
VOLKSWAGEN AG.
VOLKSWAGEN AG is constantly striving to

redevelop all its models, so please allow for
the fact that changes in design, equipment
and engineering specifications may be made
at any time. Consequently, the data, images
and descriptions in this report cannot give
rise to claims of any kind whatsoever.
Article No.: 215.1240.01.00
Address
First name
Surname
Sender
City, Post Code
Address
First name
Surname
Sender
Volkswagen Distributionsservice
Volkswagen Distributionsservice
Postfach 1450
33762 Versmold
Country
33762 Versmold
Germany
Postfach 1450
City, Post Code
Country
Germany
VOLKSWAGEN AG
Environment, Industrial Safety and Traffic Systems
Letter box 1774
December 2001
Printed on paper bleached without the use of chlorine (TCF)
Article No.: 215.1240.01.00

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Volkswagen

Environmental Report 2001/2002

Environmental Policy & Management

Research & Development

Production & Plants

Partners & Projects

Conclusion & Appendix

Working for Future Generations

Meeting todays needs without denying

Environmental Policy and Management

Research & Development

Production & Plants

FSI stands for a future with lower fuel consumption and

appropriate places. That leaves more space

For the first time our Environmental Report has a sub-

development of personal mobility symbol-

heading: Mobility and Sustainability. There are good

ised by the car. Accordingly, we have made

reasons for this innovation. The scope of the environ-

Volkswagens drive systems and fuel strategy

mental debate is constantly being widened to include

one of the focal points of this Report.

Globalisation has brought a further increase

dimensions of entrepreneurial activity. Meanwhile the

in the number of Volkswagen plants around

debate over what a sustainability report should cover

the world. In this Report we have concentrat-

continues. Volkswagen is actively involved in the

ed on four plants from three different

national and international dialogue on meaningful

continents and refer anyone interested in

guidelines and indicators for sustainability reporting

further details of all other plants to our web

and two years from now, we intend to publish a

sustainability report which will match up to your high

expectations and our own.

an open invitation to talk to us about mobility.

mobility is of key significance for us. The Mankind and

In recent years we have benefited greatly from

Mobility photos in this Report are designed to draw

this dialogue and we hope that you have too.

attention to how, in an ever more interwoven and

Finally, my thanks go to our dedicated

truly existential importance. On the one hand, making

editorial team and to all the colleagues whose

mobility possible in an environmentally acceptable way

expert input laid the foundations for this

demands every ounce of our creative resources. On the

other hand, mobility is our everyday business, and so

I hope you enjoy reading it!

Dr. Horst Minte

Report FSI technology has a central part to play.

Product, Environment and Traffic Systems

Of course our readers are not just interested in our top

we can now provide you with regular and practical

consistently banking on direct injection.

Safeguarding protability and adding value to our

The next few years will see a substantial increase

products are factors which contribute to our success, as

in the range of Volkswagen models available

indeed do the introduction of exible working-hour

with FSI engines. This way, we aim to achieve a

models and the development of cars with outstanding

further cut in average fuel consumption across