VW CEO Martin Winterkorn answers his critics view that VW is not green enough - will build hybrid in 2008
Responding to criticism, VW CEO Martin Winterkorn said that the VW Group is creating the types of vehicles that consumers would like to purchase, which include items such as air conditioning, "electronic gadgets to enhance comfort and safety" and "high roof cars with higher air resistance and SUVs." He went on, saying, "it happens to be our job as manufacturers to satisfy our customers' needs".
The German magazine Spiegel quoted the German President Horst Köhler as saying the German auto industry has "not earned any admiration when it comes to environmental developments on the earth." Winterkorn responded, "I disagree with such statements. Politicians are fond of criticizing others. But responding just as sharply is generally not an option for us, because politicians are among our best customers. It isn't exactly a secret that they don't usually drive the most efficient cars".
When asked why VW does not offer a hybrid, and when they will start, Winterkorn said, "It won't be much longer. It'll happen in 2008. However, we had not expected this to become such an emotionally charged issue. People act as though the hybrid could solve all of our problems -- which is certainly not the case".
Of course, a hybrid will not solve all of mankind's problems, but few argue that they can help out a bit. Winterkorn also insists that, as a "business enterprise" VW must cater to the market. Toyota and Honda don't seem to have a problem selling their hybrid cars. The interview goes on, and was a very interesting read. I suggest following this link and checking it out yourself. Another post will discuss a new automobile that Winterkorn proposes later in the interview.
[Source: Spiegel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Azennoud Abderrahman 5:40AM (5/05/2009)
This is a complaint to the CEO of Volswagen Car in Germany. Please, if it gets to you, will you make it reach him?
Dear Sir,
I have been surfing on the net to find your address but I couldn't. I hope this letter will reach you.
I am someone who is very fond of Germany and German products. Actually, I travel to Germany very often. This love has been embodied by buying a German Car , a new one which is Passat from your representative in Meknes, Morocco. This was about 3 months ago . However, I had an accident and took the car to the garage of your representative to be repaired, and after 17 days they can't have the air bags and a wheel rim; they say that they are not in Morocco and they have to wait for 9 more days to have them. This will make 26 days to get the spare parts that my car needs.
All this said, I haven't lost faith in German technology. However, I would really appreciate it if those spare parts are on the Moroccan market. Isn't the period of 26 days without a car, especially if you need it badly, a long period?
Looking forward to receiving your answer with a solution to my problem.
Sincerely,
Dr Abderrahman Azennoud
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keith 12:07PM (8/05/2009)
Hi;
I own a 2008 passat wagon which I purchased last July from Centreville on Peel street in Montreal.During the winter months my wipers stopped while driving in snowy conditions!!
luckily we managed to drive off the highway and avoided a serious accident. The people at Centreville deiced the car and said that the car is fine.After the second failure I realized that there was more to the problem. The manual states that the wipers will stop if they have resitance. .Volks wagen America claims the car is running as designed and that they will do nothing to correct the problem Questioning other owners of the same veichule.I discovered at least half of them had the same experience and were told the same story as me.
I feel that this is a life threating problem and no one wants to do anything about it.Winter is approaching and Iam concerned about this .
Hoping for some advice;
Keith
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Tony Belding 3:26PM (3/07/2007)
It's all about the profit margins. It's not so much that everybody wants big, heavy, gas-guzzling SUVs loaded down with electronic gadgets -- but the people who do want those vehicles are willing to pay a lot more than the guy buying a Yaris. The per-unit profits on larger and heavier vehicles are outstanding. It's sad to see that VW, formerly maker of "the people's car", has now gone down this route.
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Glennnnnnnnnnnn 12:09AM (11/27/2007)
No one seems to ever mention a few simple facts that control man’s destiny on Space Ship Earth.
IMHO: There is such a vast, ever increasing population on SSE. Combined with human greed for power, life style/standard of living and money, which I suspect will never change no matter how we try (if we ever try). It is only a matter of time before none of the problems of VW’s n other auto manufactures will matter.….. Sure hope I am wrong……………..
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