In the heart of Wolfsburg, Germany, lies the world’s biggest car factory – the heart of Volkswagen’s operations. Spanning over 6.5 million square meters (that’s more than three times the size of Monaco), this giant facility has been building some of the world’s most recognized cars since 1938, including the Golf, Tiguan, and Touran. In 2023, nearly half a million cars were produced here, and the target for 2024 is around 600,000. With 75 kilometers of roads and 60 kilometers of railway within the factory grounds, moving parts and finished vehicles around is a smooth operation. Around 70,000 workers and 5,000 robots work together to keep things running efficiently, especially in areas where accuracy is key, like the painting section.
But this factory is more than just a place to build cars, it’s a center for innovation and green thinking. The Technical Development Center inside the plant is home to over 11,000 experts who are working on future technologies like electric cars, self-driving systems, and smarter digital features. Volkswagen has also been serious about protecting the environment, cutting its environmental footprint by over a third since 2010. They’ve introduced programs like “No Plastic” and upgraded their energy systems with powerful gas turbines that help provide heat and electricity, not just to the factory but to parts of the city as well, which helps or in some sense contributes to helping the country at large
Volkswagen isn’t just one brand, it’s a global family. The company includes several car brands grouped into three main categories: the Core group (Volkswagen cars, Skoda, SEAT/CUPRA, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), the Progressive group (Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ducati), and the Sport Luxury group (Porsche). On the heavy-duty side, the Traton Group handles big trucks and buses through brands like Scania, MAN, and International, and together they employ over 100,000 people worldwide. In a bold move toward the future, Volkswagen has teamed up with American EV maker Rivian to build next-generation car software and systems, helping them stay competitive as the world shifts toward electric vehicles.
Of course, even giants face tough times. Volkswagen is making big changes to adapt, including plans to cut up to 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 and reduce the Wolfsburg plant’s yearly output. This is part of a wider strategy to stay relevant in the electric vehicle race and face growing competition, especially from Asian carmakers. But with its deep roots, bold ideas, and strong global network, Volkswagen is gearing up to not just survive these changes, but lead the way into a new era of driving.
