Executive Speeches
24 October 2009
VAIL Dedication Remarks
Toscan Bennett
Thank you, Chris for that introduction.
On behalf of Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, I want to extend a warm congratulations and thank you to our Electronics Research Lab and our partners at Stanford University.
It's great to be looking out an audience full of Stanford Alumni. In some cases there are two or three generations present today.
That's the kind of brand loyalty a car company dreams about. I'm wondering if Volkswagen would have the same results if we sold a line of special edition Stanford VWs??
Seriously… when you bring together two standout organizations such as Volkswagen Group and Stanford, you just know great things will happen.
And, when the first measurement of your success is a first place win at the DARPA Grand
Challenge…well, you've exceeded even the most ambitious of expectations.
With the autonomous valet parking demonstration, and the awe- inducing video of the Audi Pikes Peak TTS later this evening, you'll soon see this team hasn't taken its foot off the accelerator.
Our growing partnership with Stanford is just one example of our expansion here in the United States.
Our $1 billion commitment to a factory in Chattanooga will bring almost 10,000 jobs to the state of Tennessee. In 2011 it will bring to American consumers new Volkswagens designed specifically for this market.
Volkswagen is delivering in the U.S., with vehicles that offer quality, value, safety, and fuel-efficiency. Of course, they're also fun to drive.
And, the critics are noticing. Consider that:
Volkswagen has more "top safety picks" than Volvo.
JD Power has awarded us more customer satisfaction APEAL honors than any other brand.
Volkswagen had the highest increase in loyalty of any brand last year.
We offer more models with 25 mpg or more than any other brand.
And, our Jetta TDI holds the Guinness Book of World Records for best mileage – beating out even hybrid competitors.
This continued success requires that we are always looking to the future, and that's where the ERL and Stanford come in.
We're proud to have the largest presence of any automaker in Silicon Valley.
This place is special. Whenever I'm here, I immediately feel the energy and excitement. People look at things differently, making it the perfect incubator for fresh ideas.
Our partnerships with area companies such as Google and universities such as Stanford allow us to take our research to the next level.
As a product development guy, I can't help but get excited when I hear and see the big ideas that are being generated.
Just as the research from our past projects is making its way into our vehicles, so will the ideas that you see on display here tonight.
I'm personally hopeful the autonomous parking valet is one of the first.
Dr. Paefgen mentioned how Stanley's technology served as the basis for vehicle alert and warning systems that are now available in our vehicles.
Think about the day when the technology from the Pikes Peak TTS may help us develop systems where the car takes over in a potential crash situation, steering the driver to the safest path possible.
Safety isn't just related to the external environment – our research projects are helping to limit interior distractions. This might come in the form of instructions routing you to the quickest most fuel efficient route or through a seamless infotainment system that allows drivers to stay focused on the road ahead.
These are technologies that are becoming commonplace in our vehicles. And there's more -- Apple iPhone integration, 3D graphics and speech recognition.
With these technologies you'll spend less time checking traffic or spelling out words like "Embarcadero" before you get on their way.
So that's really the goal at the ERL: to help the Volkswagen Group create a safer, eco-friendly and more enjoyable driving experience.
Speaking of eco-friendly, I have to close with a special plug for the halftime show. I know this is when most people are out getting snacks and refreshments – but you might want to stay in your seats tonight.
A lucky fan is going to win a Jetta TDI clean diesel – so hold on to your ticket stubs!
Thank you again for your time and go Stanford!
