“The Golf is not just a regular car; it has become a symbol of devotion! I am a big admirer of the Golf and have been driving one for many years now. To many people in Lower Saxony, the Golf represents a sense of familiarity and connection. Similar to how the VW Beetle was in the past, the Golf has been an emblem of freedom and movement for many years. Since 1974, the Golf has played a crucial role in the development and prosperity of Volkswagen and the industry in Lower Saxony,” emphasized Weil. Before the event, the Minister President, Daniela Cavallo, Thomas Schäfer, Production Board Member Christian Vollmer, and Group Chief Human Resources Officer Gunnar Kilian toured the Golf production facility. Plant Manager Rainer Fessel elaborated on how AI supports manual tasks performed by employees during underseal application.
At the ceremony, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer highlighted the importance of the Golf for the Volkswagen brand. “The Golf is the heart of the VW brand, offering affordable mobility with cutting-edge technology for fifty years. It has become Germany’s favorite car, shaping a whole generation, defining a new vehicle class, and becoming an international bestseller in over 70 countries with sales exceeding 37 million units. We have a special bond with the Golf!” Schäfer declared, expressing that the Golf will embrace the electric future. “The upcoming electric model will retain the core qualities of a true Golf, focusing on design, innovation, utility, and quality.”
“Fifty years ago, the Golf symbolized a fresh start and new dawn as the era of the Beetle concluded; today, it signifies continuity, dependability, and progress. As a Wolfsburg native, the Golf is also a representation of Lower Saxony for me. Regardless of age or profession, whether tradesperson, technician, or academic, the Golf appeals to all and unites society across generations. Moreover, this bestselling model exemplifies VW’s success through innovation, collaboration, enthusiasm, and dedicated employees. Our global VW family has every reason to be proud of this accomplishment,” stated Daniela Cavallo, Chair of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG.
The ceremony, accompanied by music from the Volkswagen Big Band, honored the employees at the Wolfsburg plant. Nicola Benenati, for instance, has been part of Golf production for 45 years, contributing to all eight generations. Roland Walter, who witnessed the production launch of the second-generation Golf in the newly constructed Hall 54 40 years ago, engaged in a conversation with forewoman-in-training in Hall 12, Viktoria Schoke, discussing the evolution of production over the past five decades. Out of the 37 million Golf units sold globally in the last five decades, more than half were manufactured at the brand’s headquarters, totaling over 20 million.
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During the ceremony, employees revealed a unique Golf model. Trainees presented a creatively adorned Golf 8 featuring a collage of employee images. This exclusive model now joins the plant’s internal fleet.
About the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg
Situated between Hanover and Magdeburg on the Mittelland Canal, the Wolfsburg plant serves as the core of Volkswagen Passenger Cars and is the largest single car manufacturing complex globally. With a workforce of about 70,000 employees, the plant spans approximately 1.6 square kilometers in factory space. Over 48 million vehicles have been assembled in Wolfsburg to date, surpassing any other automotive plant’s production globally. At over 20 million units built, the Golf remains the most produced model at the plant, followed by the Beetle at nearly 12 million units between 1945 and 1975. Currently, in addition to the Golf and Golf Variant, the Touran and Tiguan are manufactured at Wolfsburg. The Tayron model will join the production lineup by the year’s end.
For the latest images from Golf production at the Wolfsburg plant, click here