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Volkswagen Commences Production of Touareg Hybrid
Thursday 08 April 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, April 8 (TASR) - German car-maker Volkswagen on Thursday formally launched serial production of the Touareg Hybrid model at its Slovak unit in Bratislava, with Prime Minister Robert Fico driving the first vehicle up to staff and visitors.
Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek and Transport Minister Lubomir Vazny were also in attendance.
Volkswagen Slovakia chairman Andreas Tostmann told journalists that this is one of the most mechanically complicated vehicles in terms of manufacturing. Bratislava is the only site at which this sports utility vehicle will be manufactured and exported the world over.
According to Tostmann, the Touareg Hybrid with its average consumption of 8.2 litres per 100 km sets a new standard for off-roaders with petrol engines. The launch of its production follows months of training for the thousand or so staff working for the concern.
Fico stressed that the launch of the new model is evidence that foreign investors trust Slovakia and appreciate the conditions offered in the country for doing business. He stated that Volkswagen is the most successful example of investing in Slovakia. At the same time he praised the fact that the company invested €199 million in preparing new models in the difficult crisis year of 2009, a 150-percent increase on the previous year.
In this connection, Fico noted that the Government has provided €14 million in investment stimuli for the planned New Small Family model, production of which will begin at the Bratislava factory next year.
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