The Volkswagen Group has reached a huge milestone recently by celebrating its 200 millionth production record. According to the automaker, the Volkswagen XL Sport Concept car which makes its official debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show this week will be the company’s 200 millionth vehicle. Yes, two-hundred million! Go on, say it like Dr.Evil from Austin Powers, two-hundred miiillllllion, it actually sounds more impressive that way…
The Volkswagen Group has been able to double the number of vehicles produced within just a few years. In 1999, the Group celebrated the 100 million vehicle mark with an anniversary-edition New Beetle. As its 200 millionth model, Volkswagen is presenting the XL Sport as the “highly efficient sports car design study” powered by the world’s most powerful twin-cylinder engine; the 197hp V2 engine from the Ducati 1199 Superleggera motorbike.
That’s not all, to celebrate this new milestone Volkswagen decided to donate €200,000 to aid the Cinema for Peace Foundation. This charitable organization is committed to peace and human rights throughout the world, mainly through the medium of film, and supports a large number of humanitarian aid projects. The donation check was received by actress Catherine Deneuve, founding chairperson of “Cinema for Peace” from the Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn.
Catherine Deneuve, who starred in movies like “Belle de Jour”, “Indochine” and “Dancer in the Dark“, congratulated Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, on the world premiere and on the Group’s overall success, “I am impressed that you have celebrated 200 million vehicles with this extraordinary car. Très magnifique!”.
“We are proud to have produced 200 million vehicles. This impressive figure also bears witness to our customers’ confidence in the Group. For Volkswagen, success and responsibility are inseparable. This is why we are pleased to support Catherine Deneuve in her commitment to “Cinema for Peace”, said Winterkorn.
Images: Top Gear
