- Merkel and Putin inform themselves about dual vocational training at Volkswagen in Russia •
- Focus on XL1 and Polo Global for the Russian market
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Vladimir Putin of Russia have informed themselves about Volkswagen’s activities in Russia at Hannover Messe Industrie 2013. The main focus of attention was on vocational training, innovative products manufactured in Russia and the XL1 1-liter car, the Volkswagen Group’s technological spearhead. The guests were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, and by the Board Member for Human Resources, Dr. Horst Neumann.
“For the Volkswagen Group, Russia is the number one growth market in Europe. With the Polo Global, we have developed a vehicle especially for the Russian market that is in line with local customers’ requirements and meets mobility needs in the country in the best possible way,” said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. “Volkswagen is consistently expanding its activities in this important market. With our new engine plant in Kaluga, the Volkswagen Group will remain a strong motor for the Russian automobile industry and the Russian economy in the future.”
President Putin and Chancellor Merkel were especially interested in vocational training at Volkswagen in Russia. Young apprentices from Volkswagen’s Russian plant in Kaluga reported on their experience with the German model of vocational training. Volkswagen’s Board Member for Human Resources, Dr. Horst Neumann, said: “Volkswagen already trains three quarters of its 16,500 apprentices throughout the world on the basis of the German dual vocational training model. Together with the Golf, the Audi A4 and the Porsche 911, this training model is one of our Group’s export bestsellers.”
Volkswagen Group Rus has been the official automobile partner of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi since 2010 and has sponsored the Russian Biathlon Union’s men’s and women’s teams and youth work since April 1, 2013. This year, Russia is the partner country of Hannover Messe. Visitors can obtain information on the activities of Volkswagen Group Rus in a special area of the Volkswagen stand.
