IAA Voices: Interview with Volkswagen Group

How are you promoting the integration of different mobility modes to create a seamless and efficient transport infrastructure?

Volkswagen Group: We are transforming from a traditional car manufacturer into a comprehensive mobility service provider in order to reach our customers beyond vehicle ownership and generate additional attractive revenue streams. To achieve this, Volkswagen Financial Services, in close cooperation with Europcar Mobility Group, is expanding its proven business model. In addition to leasing, more flexible mobility solutions such as car subscriptions and rentals are becoming the focus. Through targeted collaborations with third parties, such as in the area of sharing (car or scooter), we are also addressing additional customer groups. Furthermore, the used car business is being significantly expanded to stay connected with customers and vehicles for longer through multiple leasing cycles, thus extending the automotive value chain. This also opens up opportunities in the areas of service, insurance, and after-sales for our dealer partners. Additionally, in 2024, we invested in the bike leasing company Bike Mobility Services (BMS). The goal is to expand the company brand Lease-a-Bike in the growing bicycle and e-bike leasing market in Europe and the U.S.

What are the biggest challenges you are currently facing in your segment, and how are you addressing them?

Volkswagen Group: E-mobility and digitalization are fundamentally shaping the future of the automotive industry. The Volkswagen Group is actively driving this transformation in mobility for the coming decades. We are strategically investing in the future viability of the group, focusing on technologies, strategic partnerships, and regions. This includes our battery strategy, strengthening our presence in North America, improving competitiveness in digitalization and products in China, and further developing our product portfolio. By doing so, we aim to ensure that we continue to inspire our customers worldwide.

Which essential future topic is not receiving enough attention in the public eye?

Volkswagen Group: Autonomous driving will be the next big disruption in our industry. While some timelines have had to be adjusted in recent years, including ours, which has caused the topic to quiet down somewhat, it will come and change much. For services like ride-hailing, entirely new economic opportunities arise when vehicles move to their destinations autonomously. This also promises very interesting business opportunities across various sectors. As a result, the share of software and services in our business will significantly increase in the coming years.

In which area of mobility do you see the greatest potential, and where is the biggest gap?

Volkswagen Group: Especially in big cities, we see enormous potential and significant gaps in the intelligent integration of different mobility modes. Intelligent traffic management systems offer opportunities to reduce emissions and congestion. However, the biggest gap exists in the public transportation sector of large cities. Here, investments in infrastructure, digitalization, and accessibility are needed. With the expansion of e-mobility and our focus on more flexible mobility solutions, we will contribute to the efficient and sustainable mobility transition. One element of this will be a mobility app, which we are currently developing together with Europcar. In the medium term, various services will be consolidated in this app.