Information Technology (IT)
IT strategy
It is the Volkswagen Group’s objective to become The Global Automotive Tech Driver. The field of IT plays an ever more important role in this, both in our vehicles and across the Company, and in opening up new business models.
Digitalized supply chains, automated and AI-optimized processes in all of the Company’s business areas, data-driven management of the sustainability targets and a seamless integration of analogue and digital customer experience are all elements of this transformation.
The IT Board function has developed a strategy for Group-wide IT entitled Global IT++. In pursuit of the vision of One Strong Global Network, the strategy is to ensure clear and synchronous orientation, global networking, the sharing of knowledge, and mutual adaptability of the IT strategies of all brands and regions. The objective is to provide standardized cross-brand and cross-regional IT infrastructures, IT services, and IT solutions in appropriate bundles. This serves to reduce costs, utilize efficiencies, and leverage further potential for synergies. Distinctions are made and individual solutions provided only if specifically necessary or required under regulatory provisions.
The target dimensions of the strategy are to achieve a clear value contribution for the departments, to make an active contribution to the digitalization of the Company, to ensure that implementation is fast and adaptable, and to achieve cost efficiency. Long-term IT imperatives were defined to aid achievement of these targets. These focus on issues such as the transformation into a data- and AI-driven company, implementation of consistent infrastructure platforms across all brands and regions, realization of a global, digital product landscape through a cross-brand, cross-regional cooperation model based on complementary skills, and operational excellence in implementation. We monitor the progress of implementation of the targeted measures through the annual Global IT TOP 10 program with agile half-yearly sprints that focus on business impact and speed in the One Strong Global Network. This IT network of Group departments, brands, regions and partner companies is known for pragmatic, cross-brand collaboration, transparent communication, and regular dialogue regarding efficient, worldwide staff deployment and avoidance of the duplication of work through synergies.
The measures for optimized data availability under the Global IT TOP 10 program forms the basis for up-to-date AI applications, thus generating the potential for Company-wide efficiencies. Systematic modularization plus the global rollout of large-scale IT programs helps to provide future-proof IT solutions, thereby driving the digitalization of all business areas locally and globally, for instance through the IT China strategy. The development and provision of digital products is to be accelerated through the introduction of the agile product organization. In this context, IT and the business areas work together in cross-functional teams with short development cycles to produce new digital products. We aim to ensure a uniform, strategic orientation by forging technical ties between the “IT” Board function and the chief information officers (CIOs) of the Core, Progressive and Sport Luxury brand groups and of Volkswagen Financial Services AG. This interface between technical and organizational aspects also facilitates the realization of synergies and further economies of scale. The systematic identification and Group-wide sharing of best practices – projects that have been successfully implemented at individual brands and companies – is aimed at enabling the effective transfer of knowledge within the Company and generate greater speed and synergies, thus also reducing the need for funds.
The focus in the field of IT infrastructure is on further expanding and optimizing cooperation between the Group departments and brands. This course is consistently pursued. To this end, Group IT has a globally uniform structure across five operating platforms/domains (cloud, mainframe, high performance computing, on-premise and digital workplace (DWP)) and in the cross-functional services used in all brands and regions. In this context, we combine our shared resources in the brands and regions, and in the international companies of Global IT, for example in India. The advantages of global cooperation were highlighted in particular by the DWP platform in 2025.
Software development
The IT Board function is responsible for swiftly developing and introducing software and IT solutions for the Group based on the Group’s needs. Part of this development work takes place in the Software Development Centers (SDC) around the world. The strategic goal is to safeguard and successively increase the proportion of in-house services relating to software products for critical business processes such as technical development. To this end, the international IT subsidiaries are to be systematically expanded, and new cooperation models are to be entered into with selected partners. This approach addresses the constantly growing need for software development within the Volkswagen Group. The gradual increase in in-house services is to reinforce governance and particularly to ensure the more efficient internal management and cost control of suppliers.
The optimization of processes and the definition of standards for software development remain at the forefront of our activities. Among other things, this entails international, data-driven management of activities in the SDC, strategic alignment of the business-critical enterprise systems and safeguarding intellectual property in the form of software product source codes. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in connection with software development is a core component of the SDC’s remit.
Use of Digitalization and AI
The Board of Management continuously monitors and supports the digital transformation. The Group Board of Management Committee for Digital Transformation addresses the digital transformation of business processes across the brands and business units. It manages the IT project portfolio and fosters digital cultural change, as well as innovations and synergies between the Group departments and brands. This makes it the highest decision-making body and key navigator in the Group’s digital transformation.
The large-scale introduction of applications with AI into multiple business processes was accelerated in fiscal year 2025. The scope of application of AI within the Volkswagen Group is broad. The goal is to achieve tangible monetary savings (e.g. a reduction in process lead times through efficiency enhancements such as acceleration of the product development process), tangible improvements in product quality and the associated indirect cost savings (e.g. improved quality processes and thus also a reduction in ex gratia and warranty costs, and therefore in contracting no longer needed, such as translation and law firm costs), and ergonomic benefits for employees, through help in the use of systems.
AI is only of value to the Group where it delivers measurable benefits, whether through efficiency gains, quality improvements, or new business potential. The clear principle of economic relevance is therefore decisive for its use.
The Group Data & AI Strategy provides the strategic foundation for the scalable and responsible use of AI, the aim being to systematically advance data-driven innovation and leverage the added value of data and AI applications across the Group for business purposes. This is also implemented in the Group TOP 10 program through the Data & AI action area.
One use case is the Lastenheftassistent, an AI-based tool for preparing technical specifications that assists departments with the precise, structured formulation of requirements for development services. The integration of generative AI helps to improve inputs, which are automatically checked against quality guidelines. This reduces the time spent on preparation and keeps sources of error to a minimum, thus yielding higher quality needing fewer alterations.
The Scorpion use case in the after-sales business shows how data-driven solutions can improve business performance in the long term. Scorpion analyzes sales and workshop data across all levels, from company headquarters to the importers, to the dealerships. The system is already being used in over 23 markets worldwide (including China, USA, Japan and Brazil). It facilitates a targeted customer approach, optimizes workshop visits and boosts sales revenue through smart campaign management. The results show significant increases in sales revenue and profits in the after-sales business.
Another forward-looking approach is the development of the large shape model (LSM), a generative AI model for 3D data. The LSM allows 3D objects to be automatically generated and edited from images, texts, or sketches, all in a matter of seconds. The technology, which is made available across the Group in the form of a central platform (LSMaaS), supports multiple use cases in design, engineering, production and marketing.
A further key factor in the success of AI in the Company are Group-wide information and training measures that provide training formats targeted at a variety of job profiles and skill levels. In addition, specific event formats created for specialist groups and internal experts promote the cross-brand and cross-domain transfer of knowledge on topics related to data and AI within the Volkswagen Group. The Group Skill Hub, for instance, is an internal system for continuously reviewing, adapting and expanding role-based skills, including the application of AI technologies in a professional context.
The systematic, responsible use of AI also requires efficient data management. Together with Group Data & AI Governance, the Group Data & AI Platforms & Enablers team of experts is jointly fashioning the cultural and technological transformation into a data architecture viable for the future. Here, the goal is the purposeful (re-)use of data for the consistent integration of AI into the Group’s end-to-end processes.
IT Security
Safeguarding data and information throughout the Volkswagen Group worldwide is one of the main tasks of IT and has top priority. Strategic measures continued to be implemented under the Group Information Security Program in fiscal year 2025. The objective of the program is to create uniform processes and solutions across the Group to further enhance information security. The findings and solutions are being implemented within the Group. The main focus is on topics that could one day pose information security risks for the Group and that need to be specially safeguarded as part of the Group’s digital transformation strategy. The content and orientation of the program is reviewed annually and updated if necessary.
The Volkswagen Group requires its suppliers to have passed TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) certification. This sends out a signal regarding the security of cross-company information and data. Key information security processes at Volkswagen are also TISAX-certified. TISAX certification is an assessment method developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry and is based on the international industry standard and the requirements of the automotive world. The aim is for sensitive data and information to be processed securely by our suppliers.
The task of automotive cybersecurity is to prevent and avert cyberattacks on our vehicles and on the digital vehicle ecosystem, responsibility for which lies with IT Security. We have implemented a Group policy based on the legal requirements of UNECE Regulation No. 155 (UNECE R155) and have derived a brand-specific organizational guideline, taking the organizational circumstances into account.
To protect our customers’ data against cyberattacks, and to implement our solutions in conformity with national and international legislation, we have established integrated, cross-brand, cross-regional management systems for information and cybersecurity. The cybersecurity management system required by UNECE R155 received its first certification in 2021, has undergone annual surveillance audits since then and was recertified by the KBA in 2025.
Key centralized information security processes have been audited and certified in line with the international ISO 27001 framework. This is the most important cross-sectoral standard for information security and is our basis for building an appropriate information security management system for handling all sensitive information in the Group. This system is being gradually expanded. It is audited annually and recertified at the required intervals.
In recent years, the introduction of the data protection management system and the data protection management organization has established the infrastructure for implementing and complying with data protection requirements at Volkswagen AG in the long term. A high level of attention is needed to ensure ongoing compliance with data protection requirements in view of the increasing digitalization and interconnectedness of business processes, new legislative initiatives with data protection relevance, and the sharp rise in the extent of international data protection legislation. Our activities in this respect are focused on continuously raising awareness among the workforce and further automating processes, for example through the use of artificial intelligence.