With 13,000 employees, the plant in Shanghai (SVW) is one of Volkswagen's largest. Polo, Polo Classic, Santana, Santa Vista und Variant, Touran und Passat (Lingyu, B5) models are produced in a joint venture with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). In all, the Shanghai location comprises five operating areas: three for the manufacture of entire vehicles and two for engine production.
Environmental standards
SVW has had ISO 14001 certification since 1997, and is integrated in the VW Group's environmental management system. All of SVW's production lines and products meet both Chinese environmental protection laws and regulations and Volkswagen standards. SVW continues to work on reducing its energy consumption and to reduce environmental pollution. Internal controls help to track energy-saving measures used by employees. Moreover, installations are either brought forward to state-of-the-art specifications or are retrofitted. To protect water resources, the steam plants at this location are interconnected by means of a pipe system, thus considerably reducing the use of fresh water. In addition, self-contained condensate recycling systems have been introduced, permitting a large proportion of condensate to be reused.
Environmentally friendly products
SVW continues to work towards making its products as environmentally friendly as possible; its aim is to be able to offer its Chinese customers safe, environmentally compatible products. All series products were meeting the European standard EU 2 prior to 1st July 2004, the date the Chinese law on emissions went into effect. Moreover, certain models, including the Passat and Polo, already meet the specifications of European standard EU 4. SVW uses environmentally acceptable technology for the models it builds - such as asbestos- and lead-free brake discs in the Polo or ecologically reusable materials for the Touran and Passat. SVW also offers a hybrid vehicle: the Santana 3000, optionally fitted with either a petrol or gas drive.
Dialogue and Contacts with Representatives of Interests
SVW ensures that it always has up-to-date information about developments in environmental protection with a constant exchange with ministries and environmental organisations. On the other hand, SVW introduces advanced environmental protection technology in close cooperation with German offices. This policy enables SVW to occupy a leading position in the field of environmental protection in China. To this end, SVW has also drawn up a three-year plan in which environmental projects concerning products, energy and emissions are tracked. A deadline and a responsible party are named for every defined milestone and training courses are conducted so that all employees understand the situation better.
Glossary