Convertibles from Osnabrück

In the course of one year, Volkswagen has not just finished a new production facility but also brought its new convertible series to manufacturing readiness. The plant might help this economically unstable region of northern Germany to gain a foothold again.

The new facility in Osnabrück was officially inaugurated by German president Christian Wulff. Beside the president, Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister David McAllister, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen, Dr. Horst Neumann, responsible for Human Resources, and Bernd Wehlauer, Deputy Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Works Council, were at the plant to open production of the new-generation Golf Cabriolet.

Lower Saxony is very dependent on Volkswagen. Until the European Court of Justice rescinded it, a special »Volkswagen act« ensured that Lower Saxony always had a say in all corporate decisions, even though it always had a minority stake.
During their tour of the site followed by a meeting with the workforce, president Wulff and Premier McAllister visited the training workshop where 53 young people are currently training in 14 industrial and technical professions. The new Golf Cabriolet in Sunset Red which left the assembly line today officially marked the start of production in Osnabrück.

President Wulff, formerly prime minister of Lower Saxony, was rather optimistic: »I am very pleased we have been able to safeguard the future of Osnabrück as a car making location. Osnabrück has enormous potential. The strengths of the employees and their comprehensive enormous know-how, for example in building cabriolets, are a perfect fit for Volkswagen Osnabrück as part of the large Volkswagen Group.«

»It is only just over a year since we got down to work,« Prof. Dr. Winterkorn said enthusiastically. »Since then, we have safeguarded many car making jobs and have also integrated the technical development and metal units. Above all, though, the team in Osnabrück has successfully managed the Golf Cabriolet start-up within the space of a year. The biggest compliment I can pay you today is that this car, your car, is a genuine Volkswagen! Osnabrück has made a masterful debut with the Golf Cabriolet!«

»As premier I am particularly delighted that Volkswagen now has six locations in Lower Saxony and produces in Osnabrück as well as in Wolfsburg, Hanover, Emden, Braunschweig and Salzgitter. Osnabrück’s long car making tradition is being continued. Volkswagen Osnabrück will establish itself in the Group as a competence center for small series vehicles,« Premier McAllister commented.

VW Board Member for Human Resources Neumann stated: »Volkswagen Osnabrück currently has a workforce of some 1,250, and a total of 1,800 people will have a job here by the end of the year. In addition, we are increasing the number of vocational training places further to cater for the larger number of school leavers caused by the change in Germany's education system which shortens the time it takes to study for a high school diploma by one year. This will raise the total number of vocational trainees and students on the integrated study and training program.«

Deputy Chairman of the Group Works Council Wehlauer underscored: »The future of jobs at the Osnabrück automotive location came with the decision to finally put another Golf Cabriolet on the road. Many past joint projects unite us with the colleagues here. Together with the VW workforce in Osnabrück we are now shaping a piece of the automotive future with the Golf Cabriolet.«

The Volkswagen plant in Osnabrück covers the entire automotive process chain from vehicle development through tooling to production. Apart from the Golf Cabriolet it is also planned to use the Osnabrück plant as an overflow facility for manufacturing the Porsche brand Boxster and Cayman models going forward. The plant has a total annual capacity of roughly 100,000 vehicles. Volkswagen will have invested approximately 300 million euros in the new Osnabrück plant by the end of this year.

Comments

[cycling apparel]

we are increasing the number of vocational training places further to cater for the larger number of school leavers caused by the change in Germany's education system which shortens the time it takes to study for a high school diploma by one year.

[cycling shorts]

development and metal units. Above all, though, the team in Osnabrück has successfully managed the Golf Cabriolet start-up within the space of a year. The biggest compliment I can pay you today is that this car, your car, is a genuine Volkswagen! Osnabrück has made a masterful debut with the Golf Cabriolet!

[moncler coats]

I "like" you on Facebook. Would love these for my oldest boy!

[Cyclist Jerseys Allie]

Oh wow, I've always been daydreaming about owning one of these VW's convertibles.. I wish there were more photos.