Some of the cars, waiting for their ship to arrive, have a long journey to North America or the Far East ahead of them. Others set out on a short trip across the English Channel. What they all have in common is that they are from the Volkswagen Group’s plants in Central Europe. And that they stand for the Company’s success in automotive markets around the world. The port of Emden is growing steadily to keep pace. In 2007, over one million vehicles were loaded there for the first time, a figure that has since grown by 30 percent.

For Manfred de Vries, who is both Head of Automotive Transfer and Dispatch at the Emden plant and Managing Director at Autoport GmbH (in which Volkswagen has a 33 percent interest), the success is first and foremost a logistical challenge. The aim is to load the vehicles onto the right ships as efficiently as possible and with a minimum of damage. To minimize the environmental impact, he also ensures that the vehicles are moved as little as possible in the process. Despite his professional attitude, the departure of the new Passat is a big moment for him too. “I am proud of the fact that we are the gateway to the world for such an innovative model.”

The Passat – the eighth generation of the model – has a range of new technical features on board, starting with the Active Info Display with integrated tachometer and speedometer. The freely programmable, fully digital display shows the route recommended by the navigation system in razor-sharp clarity for easy readability, for example. The infotainment system, which features an 8-inch center display, also packs more functions than ever before. Faster processors, new software and simple smartphone integration seamlessly connect the vehicle with the digital world.

The Passat’s drives are also future-ready and feature particularly impressive fuel economy. The new Passat will also be the first of its class to be available with an optional plug-in hybrid drive system in the future. This offers a purely electric range of up to 50 kilometers. The Passat GTE ² is also equipped with a 1.4 liter TSI engine for longer distances, giving it a total range of over 1,000 kilometers. It emits only 37 grams of CO₂ per kilometer in the standard European driving cycle.

Taking responsibility for an intact environment and connecting the modern, digital lifestyle with driving – the eighth generation of the Passat is a pioneer on the road to future mobility. A journey that the entire Volkswagen Group has started.