On the eve of the Geneva Motor Show Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen Group Chairman, spoke of the company’s strategic goal of becoming the world's most environmentally sustainable carmaker by 2018. While confirming that its ecological restructuring, announced last year is proceeding on schedule, the Group has set a new CO2 emissions target.
Winterkorn said: "Volkswagen is committing to reducing the CO2 output of the European new car fleet to 95 grams per kilometre by 2020.
"That corresponds to a fuel consumption of less than 4 litres - across all segments and vehicle classes. This is a Herculean task calling for the best efforts of all our 40,000 developers. We can do it."
The 65-year old Winterkorn also stated that Volkswagen would reach its self-imposed target of reducing the CO2 output of its European new vehicle fleet to less than 120g/km by 2015. The company is already well on its way to achieving this goal with 245 models sitting under 120g/km, while 36 come under the 100g/km threshold.
Citing the recently announced production of the Volkswagen XL1, Winterkorn continued: “Our one-litre car, the XL1, is a technological spearhead. With fuel consumption of 0.83 litres and 21 grams CO2 per kilometre, the XL1 sets new long-term standards in the automotive industry. The technologies used in the XL1 find their way into our series vehicles. That applies in particular to plug-in hybrid technology, which we are systematically pursuing."
The Volkswagen XL1 is the star turn at this year’s Volkswagen stand at the Geneva Motor Show. On the first day of the show yesterday, Winterkorn, right, revealed the XL1 alongside world-record Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner, left.
Richard has been writing about cars since 2008. His favourite motoring topics include the latest fuel-saving technology but also high performance cars – he's conflicted like that. When he doesn't have his writing (or marketing) hat on, he can be found traipsing around the British countryside. Or drinking a skinny latté.
Richard Lawton
March 06, 2013
Filed under: Volkswagen
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