1973 Volkswagen Thing on 2040-cars

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Volkswagen taps Porsche chief for board

Matthias Mueller was promoted to the top position at Porsche in 2010 after a successful stint of developing model lines during his 36 years with the company, mainly at Audi. Having shown the same prowess while overseeing Porsche for the past five years, German outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports that Mueller will be promoted to the management board of the Volkswagen Group, according to a leaked copy of an agenda for the meeting. It's said that a new spot is being created for him, one that will put him in charge of "overseeing cooperation" among Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Porsche. While other group executives are known to hold positions on the board and with brands, or across brands, it isn't clear yet whether Mueller will keep his spot at the CEO of Porsche after the promotion. One thing that is certain is the 61-year-old Mueller doesn't see himself in line for Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn's job in 2016, having told FAZ this month, "It's no solution to put a 63-year-old at the head of Volkswagen." News Source: Reuters, Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Porsche Volkswagen Performance volkswagen group matthias mueller promotion

Volkswagen Beetle special edition concepts hit NY [w/poll]

Buying a retro hatchback or convertible like a VW Beetle is nothing if not a fashion statement, and nobody knows that better than Volkswagen itself. Which is likely why the German automaker is bringing four concept versions of the Bug to the New York Auto Show this year. Most intriguing of the quartet – to our eyes at least – is the Beetle R-Line concept, which takes a more performance-oriented approach. It's got 20-inch alloys riding on a wider track, an aero pack including a rear diffuser and spoiler, and black trim that looks great in contrast to the white pearl finish. The interior has been upgraded, as well, with sport buckets, carbon trim and yellow details, and the concept is powered by the 2.0-liter TSI engine with 217 horsepower. The R-Line concept won't be taking the stage alone, however, joined as it will be by the magenta-sprayed Pink Color Edition hatch, the beach-themed Wave and jeans-wearing Denim edition convertibles. Though all are billed strictly as showcars for the time being, VW admits it will be gauging public reaction to all four to determine potentially putting them into production for public consumption. So, that in mind, have a look at all the concepts in the gallery above, and tell us which one you like best in the poll below. VOLKSWAGEN AT THE 2015 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - Four Beetle Special Edition concepts introduced: Beetle Convertible Denim, Beetle R-Line, Beetle Convertible Surfer, and Beetle Pink Color Edition - All-wheel-drive Golf SportWagen Alltrack announced for production in 2016 - Volkswagen celebrates 60 years of Beetle heritage New York, New York - Volkswagen of America, Inc., today announced that it will produce the all-wheel-drive Golf SportWagen Alltrack for the U.S. market beginning in 2016, and showed four unique Beetle and Beetle Convertible models that help to commemorate Volkswagen of America's 60th anniversary. Golf SportWagen Alltrack Coinciding with the arrival of the all-new Golf SportWagen, currently available in dealer showrooms, Volkswagen is pleased to announce that the all-wheel-drive Alltrack model will go on sale in 2016 as a 2017 model. "We have heard from dealers and customers that they want to see a Golf SportWagen with the all-terrain capability that comes from all-wheel drive," said Michael Horn, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Volkswagen to add 50k jobs by 2018

Volkswagen still has its eyes set on becoming the top global automaker by 2018, and to get there, it's apparently going to need more boots on the ground. Automotive News Europe is reporting that VW is looking to increase its staff by 50,000 over the next five years - an increase of nine percent - which does not include an increase in its US dealer network.
According to the report, a majority of the growth will come from China where the automaker is also looking to double its production capacity in the same time frame. The Volkswagen Group is already expected to rival General Motors for the top sales spot in China this year, and such a rapid expansion in the region could make a good springboard for sales increases in other countries.