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Volkswagen Aims To Build 7 Million MQB Cars By 2018

It’s no secret that the Volkswagen Auto Group has its eyes set on becoming the world’s largest and most profitable automaker. And with the goal of dominating the automotive world, comes an objective: to build seven million vehicles based on its highly-modular MQB platform by 2018.

Ambitious? Sure. But considering which cars use the platform today, and which will use it in the future, the objective isn’t that far out of reach. The MQB platform, which calls for a transversely-mounted engine and a common set of interchangeable modules, made its debut in the seventh-generation (MK7) Volkswagen Golf, and its various derivates such as the Golf GTI and Golf SportWagen, VW then used MQB on the all-new eight-generation 2015 Passat for the European market.

In the near future, the German automaker will use the platform in the majority of its Volkswagen, Skoda, and Seat vehicles, as well as some entry-level Audis.

Current & Expected Uses Of Volkswagen’s MQB Platform Across VAG Vehicles

Volkswagen

  • MK7 Golf family
  • MK8 Passat family (Europe)
  • MK7 Jetta
  • MK6 Polo
  • MK2 Tiguan
  • Second-gen Touran
  • All-new mid-size crossover
  • Passat replacement (North America, China))
  • MK2 Volkswagen CC
  • Next-gen Beetle

Audi

Skoda

  • Entire Skoda Range

Seat

  • Entire Seat Range

Reviewing the current and potential uses for the MQB platform provides a thorough perspective into just the flexibility and scalability of the architecture. In addition to its flexibility, the parts and module standardization also results in a dramatic reduction in costs.

In addition, every Volkswagen factory is capable of producing any vehicle riding on the MQB platform. This means that if there’s suddenly a spike in demand for the Audi TT, a plant making the Volkswagen Golf can begin assembly of the TT overnight (given proper logistics operations). It’s that versatile.

And if that wasn’t enough, MQB is also expected to reduce import and export costs. Volkswagen’s European factories have the exact same capability to produce cars as its Chinese factories, limiting the need to ship vehicles to different markets. The capability allows VW to serve each market in a cost-effective manner, without depending on the volatility of currency exchanges.

Even if Volkswagen doesn’t make their goal, one thing is certain: expect to see a lot more MQB DNA in upcoming Volkswagens.

Sean is a staff writer for GM Authority and Motrolix. When's he's not busy taking in local automotive culture, he's probably detailing his car.

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