Today, the 2 500 000th car in the history of the company rolled off the assembly line of Volkswagen Poznań Factory. This number of cars has been manufactured in Poznań Factory since 1993. This event is an occasion for memories, summaries and presentations of plans for Poznań Factory.
From 500 cars annually to 720 per day
"2,500,000 manufactured vehicles mark an important milestone in our operations. I am proud of our employees and of the progress of our company over the last twenty years. We are the largest employer in Wielkopolska, a strong production centre of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, with average annual production of 170-175 thousand vehicles. Our position will strengthen with the launch of a new factory for Volkswagen Crafter in Białężyce near Września, which is scheduled for the second half of the year". – said Dietmar Mnich, Director of Volkswagen Factory in Antoninek.
Poznań was not the first choice for the manufacturing centre of Transporter and Caddy models. In 1994, the factory started to assemble Skoda Felicia cars - during that year the factory manufactured almost 800 vehicles of this model. In subsequent years, the factory in Poznań also assembled models of different makes: SEAT (Cordoba), Audi (A6) and Volkswagen (e.g. Bora, Polo, Passat). In 1995, the factory was certified to DIN ISO 9002, as the first Polish automotive company, which confirmed particular focus of the company on the environmental protection. Only one year later, Volkswagen Poznań created its Foundry in the city centre. The Foundry continues to produce aluminum components, which are installed in many cars of different makes of Volkswagen AG.
A breakthrough in the company's history came in the years 2002 and 2003. In that period, the last Skoda Fabia rolled off the assembly line and the factory was prepared for the production of two base Volkswagen models - Caddy and Transporter. A significant expansion of the factory involving the construction of a modern hall for painting and constructing special facilities resulted not only in increased employment, but also in higher production capacity rising from approx. 40 000 to approx. 170 000 vehicles per year. Due to that, on 11 December 2007, we could celebrate the millionth car produced in the factory - which was Caddy Maxi Van.
In 2015, Volkswagen Poznań produced 170 810 vehicles: 20 447 pieces of Transporter model and 150 363 of VW Caddy. Poznań factory ships these models to customers all over the world. Continuously, since 2003, Volkswagen Poznań has been the only factory in the world that manufactures Volkswagen Caddy, a light commercial vehicle. Currently, the production capacity of the factory allows for the production of 720 vehicles per day.
Step into the future
For several years, Volkswagen Poznań has been involved in a social dialogue with local residents of neighbouring Zieliniec Housing Estate, discussing changes in the transportation system of the estate. In order to continue its development and to optimally use its resources, the company must connect the plots owned by the factory, which are now divided by Smołdzinowska St. The Company assigned the amount of PLN 18 million for the reconstruction of the transportation system. The connected plots will be used by Volkswagen Poznań to build a modern welding hall.
"We want to secure jobs in our plant in Antoninek and to continue the development of the plant. This development depends on merging the two parts of our premises currently divided by Smołdzinowska Street – explained Dietmar Mnich, the Director of Volkswagen factory in Antoninek. – Commencement of the reconstruction of the transportation system and construction of the new welding hall must be simultaneous. This will be possible only when our expansion project, which, after all, has been agreed with the city and residents, is no longer blocked.
Currently, Volkswagen Poznań is the largest employer in Wielkopolska region. Volkswagen Poznań plant employs more than 8,000 employees. After starting production in our new plant in Białężyce near Września this number will increase to 10 000 employees. "The dynamic growth means more jobs. Today, the number of employees exceeds 8,000. We are the largest employer in the region and we consider this to be both a challenge and a mission. We want to be not only the largest but also the best employer" – emphasizes Nassia Zdravkova, the Head of the Personnel Department in Poznań Factory. 2.5 millionth Volkswagen Caddy
The 2.5 millionth car produced in Volkswagen Poznań Factory is black Volkswagen Caddy Trendline 1.4 TSI, additionally equipped with air-conditioning, parking sensors, dimming glass in the passenger-cargo area, heated seats and Bluetooth telephone system. The owner of the 2.5 millionth model is Mr. Dominik Pochodyła from Milicz.
The keys to this car were handed over to the owner during the official press conference, which took place in Volkswagen Poznań Factory on 27 July 2016. The symbolic key was handed by Dietmar Mnich - the Director of the Volkswagen Poznań Factory in Antoninek and Piotr Łakomy - the brand Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
I am glad that more and more Polish entrepreneurs choose to buy Volkswagen commercial vehicles. Every day, we strive to meet the expectations of our customers, offering them cars of excellent quality, tailored financial products and services at the highest level. I am particularly pleased that it is precisely now, when we have launched a campaign with a special offer for farms, the owner of the 2.5 millionth Volkswagen Caddy will be Mr. Dominik Pochodyła, who runs an orchard and owns fruit presses. I am glad that our vehicles support Polish entrepreneurs in their work. – Said Piotr Łakomy the brand Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles while handing over the keys to the new owner.
Jubilee contest
To celebrate this occasion, Volkswagen Poznań announced competition "Find X in your VIN", which is addressed to owners of vehicles produced in Poznań in the period 2003 - 2016. "VIN is a unique vehicle identification number of each vehicle. It indicates important data, including the manufacturer, place and year of manufacture. Vehicles manufactured in Poznań in the period 2003-2016 have "X" as the seventh digit from the end of VIN and this was an inspiration for the name of the contest" – explained Monika Hajbowicz, Head of Communications in Volkswagen Poznań. To participate in the competition, you should send photos of your car, provided that it was manufactured in Poznań in the years 2003-2016 and describe the history of its use. The competition lasts until 20 August and Volkswagen Poznań will reward 4 winners. Details and competition rules are available at www.volkswagen-poznan.pl