De la revista ‘Automotive Testing’ nos llega la siguiente noticia:
Volkswagen Group increases R&D investment
The Volkswagen Group has announced an ambitious plan to invest a total of €84.2bn in its automotive division over the coming five years.
Volkswagen has stated that over two-thirds of the total investment will ‘flow into increasingly efficient vehicles, drives and technologies, as well as environmentally friendly production’.
This means that investments in property, plant and equipment in the Automotive Division will amount to around €63.4 billion over the stated period. Average annual investments in property, plant and equipment will be around €0.5 billion less than in the planning approved in 2012 for the period from 2013 to 2015. “In times like these, our disciplined cost and investment management will remain a cornerstone of our activities,” said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.
Volkswagen’s figures break down further, into €41.2 billion being set aside for the modernization and extension of its product ranges, for all its brands. The main focus will be on new vehicles and successor models in almost all vehicle classes.
The high level of investment is also being cited as due to the changeover to Euro 6, which means completely revamping the Group’s range of vehicles and engines. This is in addition to Volkswagen’s continued research and development of its hybrid and electric motors.
This long-term plan comes amidst news that Volkswagen Group is already the world’s largest private sector R&D investor. Based on a sample of over 2,000 international companies for the 2012 year, Volkswagen Group’s R&D costs were €9.5bn – up from €7.2bn in 2011.
“For us, the latest findings from the European Commission’s study are further confirmation of our strategy,” explained Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaf. “ Faced with tough global competition, Europe must focus more systematically on environmentally-friendly technologies and competitive products. Investment in research and development is both the foundation and the prerequisite for that, which is why the Volkswagen Group will continue with targeted investment in its innovative strength. We will remain a powerhouse of ideas for the European automotive industry.”