Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ latest research reveals that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) helped almost half (45%) of the UK’s van drivers to avoid one or more accidents in 2025.1

The survey found that drivers are measurably safer on the roads, with one in five (19%) avoiding multiple accidents in the last twelve months, thanks to modern safety assist technology.1

For the drivers who narrowly avoided an accident in 2025, survey respondents said that parking sensors proved to be the most effective technology, preventing accidents for 58% of respondents.1 This was followed by collision warning (40%), park assist (32%), and speed assistance (27%). Lane assist (23%), autonomous emergency braking (22%) and driver drowsiness monitoring (15%) were also shown to be useful technologies when it comes to keeping drivers safe on the road.1

With the UK’s van drivers spending, on average, 5.5 hours inside their vans on a typical working day, being able to depend on their vehicles is essential for long days behind the wheel.2 The survey also revealed that van drivers felt more confident and safe behind the wheel, knowing they are supported by ADAS technology, as three in four drivers (74%) report feeling safer on the roads as a result.1

To keep businesses on the road, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a wide range of innovative driver assistance technology across its vehicle line-up. The new Transporter, for example, comes fitted with rear parking sensors as standard, as well as lane assist, driver alert system, and intelligent cruise control, and is also available with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system and radar-camera fusion technology. Together, this saw the new Transporter receive a five-star rating from Euro NCAP.

Simon Jeffreys, Product Marketing Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The safety of van drivers and other road users is always a top priority at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This data demonstrates that safety technology is significantly benefitting drivers in real-world scenarios, while supporting drivers to feel safer on the road. Our vehicles are equipped with a range of the latest safety assist technologies, many as standard, enabling drivers to get back to focusing on what really matters to their business.” 

For more information regarding Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, please visit: www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk

The Volkswagen Passat is the Professional Driver Estate Car of the Year. The accolade was announced at the annual Professional Driver QSI (Quality, Service, Innovation) Awards evening in Brighton.

The Professional Driver Car of the Year awards are the UK’s biggest reader-judged car awards and regarded among the most rigorous in Britain’s automotive industry. A 100-strong judging panel comprising heads of private hire firms, experienced chauffeurs and journalists joins Professional Driver readers to put more than 40 cars through their paces. Everything from driving to interior space and passenger comfort gets scrutinised in real-world conditions and scored to decide the winners in six categories.

The Volkswagen Passat’s victory in the estate car class adds to an astonishing run of eight awards over the past 12 months from What Car?, the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club. They praised the car in particular for its space, comfort, safety and towing capabilities when handing out their awards.

Estate cars are especially popular among private hire operators because of the luggage space they offer for jobs such as airport runs.

Mark Bursa, Editor of Professional Driver, said: “The Passat is one of the roomiest estate cars available, with very good rear legroom and space for several suitcases. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain is ideal for longer journeys, and for the many private hire drivers who don’t have access to home charging.”

Professional Driver is the one of UK’s leading publications for people who earn their living from driving. Its monthly magazine and digital platforms provide extensive news and in-depth analysis for the private hire, taxi and chauffeur sectors, as well as for fleet operators large and small.

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk

The Volkswagen brand has reached another milestone in its electrification strategy – delivery of two million all-electric vehicles to customers. The two millionth vehicle is an ID.3, produced at the Volkswagen Zwickau plant. The anniversary ID.3 was handed over to Kirsten Vormbrock at the Transparent Factory in Dresden this week.

Volkswagen started its electromobility journey back in 2013 with the launch of the e-up!, and has been systematically expanding its all-electric portfolio ever since. The two million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) supplied therefore include not only models from the current ID. family, but also electric precursors such as the e-up! and the e-Golf. Volkswagen has now taken on a leading position in all-electric vehicles in Germany and throughout Europe, and is among the highest-volume providers. The Volkswagen brand is also one of the largest electric car manufacturers in the world.

Martin Sander, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, said: “We laid the foundations for electromobility early on and are driving our transformation to an all-electric future with clear strategic priority. Our strong market position, particularly in Germany and Europe, confirms the attractiveness and competitiveness of our electric portfolio.”

ID.3, ID.4 and ID.7: the pillars of all-electric success

Three models are of primary significance to this milestone:

• ID.3 (approx. 628,000 vehicles delivered): The ID.3 was the first model based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) and marked Volkswagen’s entry into the new era of electromobility. It was the first model in the ID. family in 2020 and made all-electric mobility accessible to a broad range of customers in the compact class for the first time. A further product upgrade of the ID.3 will soon be launched.
• ID.4 (approx. 901,000 vehicles delivered*): The ID.4 is a key growth driver for the brand and has played a major part in expanding Volkswagen’s presence on the global BEV markets. Apart from Germany and other European countries, the most important sales markets for the SUV model include China and the United States.
• ID.7 (approx. 132,000 vehicles delivered): Volkswagen expanded its portfolio in 2023 to include an all-electric saloon, followed by an estate (ID.7 Tourer) in the upper mid-range segment. The ID.7 represents the technological progress of the ID. family and demonstrates how Volkswagen is introducing electromobility to a new segment with long range and a high level of efficiency and comfort.

Increased accessibility to electromobility through the ID. Polo

The ID. Polo is the first of four new electric cars to be launched throughout 2026 in Volkswagen’s small car and compact segment. “These new models make electromobility accessible to even more customers”, said Board Member for Sales Martin Sander. “Our aim is to introduce attractive, affordable electric vehicles for everyday use into the high-volume small car segment and, in so doing, take the next growth steps in our transformation.”

Delivery to Transparent Factory – a customer experience

The delivery of the anniversary vehicle in Dresden highlights the close connection between brand experience and customer experience; now that production has been phased out in Dresden, the focus is more than ever on the visitor experience.

New attractions at the Transparent Factory include theme islands and a production demonstration, with the aim of providing as authentic a production experience as possible – even without actual series production.

Around 3,500 vehicles were handed over to customers at the Transparent Factory last year, more than 90 percent of which were all-electric or hybrid. This makes the Transparent Factory Volkswagen’s second-largest national delivery center, after Autostadt Wolfsburg. Brand loyalty is a focal point of the emotional handover process and comprehensive introduction to the new vehicle.

Test drives in Dresden of all ID. models make it easy for customers to try electromobility for themselves. The nearby vehicle plant in Zwickau plays a key role in Volkswagen’s BEV campaign as one of the main production sites for electromobility. Around 212,000 electric cars rolled off the production line here in 2025.

*including ID.5

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. ID. Polo - Near-production concept car

The Brand Group Core (BGC) within the Volkswagen Group – the organizational unit comprising the volume brands Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Škoda, SEAT&CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – is taking the next step in its successful cooperation. From this January, an overarching steering model lays the groundwork for an efficient and more competitive organization. As the top BGC management body, the newly-formed “Brand Group Core Board of Management” will make cross-brand decisions going forward.
The overall objective is to streamline processes, structures and decision-making paths. Stronger prioritization of decisions in the interest of the brand group will lead to a higher level of efficiency within the BGC. Going forward, the Production (P), Technical Development (TE) and Procurement (B) functions will be managed at cross-brand level by the Brand Group Core Board of Management.

New steering model
Overall, the new steering model with the Brand Group Core Board of Management will streamline the volume brands’ executive bodies: in a first step, the total number of Board members within the four volume brands that make up the BGC will be reduced by approximately one third by summer 2026. Medium-term, the planned reorganization will successively streamline management structures within the Brand Group Core further.

Consistent use of synergies and scaling effects
The new steering model will make even more consistent use of existing synergies and scaling effects – thereby generating cross-brand cost benefits.
Implementation of operational activities within the Brand Group Core will be faster, while the focus at Group level will center on strategic synergy areas such as software and batteries. Responsibility will be spread more evenly going forward – regional and specialist competences will be deployed where they generate the greatest benefits for the entire organization.

Example: Future Production Governance
In Production (P) alone, the approved reorganization of the steering model unlocks cumulative savings potential of one billion euros through 2030. 
The new Future Production Governance steering model plays a part in Volkswagen AG’s ongoing performance program, while at the same time tapping into additional potential. It is characterized by leaner processes at the BGC’s 20+ production locations worldwide that will in future be organized in five production regions. Going forward, regional management will be responsible for cross-brand and cross-national planning, steering and logistics. Within this system, the regions will become more independent, more efficient and more flexible.
The new steering model kicked off on the Iberian Peninsula, where the production plants have been brought together to form a cross-brand cluster.

Key lever for long-term return targets
The approved measures are a key lever for achieving a sustainable increase in BGC’s returns. The new cross-brand steering model with its clearly-defined responsibilities and swift decision-making will boost the competitiveness of the entire Brand Group Core model range.
The principle is: strong business management and individualized branding, driven by a lean and efficient internal powerhouse.

The new steering model starts in January 2026 and implementation will be fully completed by summer 2026.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com