Mobility and Sustainability.

The São José dos Pinhais site in the state of Paraná is one of the Volkswagen Group's most up-to-date facilities. The plant, inaugurated in January 1999, has 3,600 employees and, working at full capacity, produces 810 vehicles every day: Fox, Cross-Fox and Golf Volkswagen models as well as the Audi A3. Thus far, Volkswagen has already invested 1 billion euro in this location.

Protecting nature and the environment
In June 2005, the São José dos Pinhais plant began preparations for certification of its environmental management system in compliance with ISO 14001. This should assure the location improved environmental protection and greater certainty with regard to meeting environmental guidelines. During both the planning and construction phases for the new plant, Volkswagen integrated its exacting environmental standards and took care to preserve the natural landscape to the greatest extent possible. Over 20 percent of the factory premises are being reforested. The plant uses only water-based paints, far less damaging than solvent-based paints. 95 percent of all waste is recycled. Ground water and surface water as well as soil, air and noise pollution in the surrounding area are monitored on a regular basis.

Commitment to employees and to the region
Since 2004, Talentos Human Resources Services, a subdivision of Volkswagen's human resources department, has administered an on-location training scheme. Thus far, over 1,000 employees have participated in courses covering such topics as welding technology, paint technology, general mechanics, tool allocation, communication and teamwork.

In addition to training and further education initiatives for employees, the Paraná plant is also involved in helping the region's street children. Since 1999, the plant's AMENOR project has enabled employees to support public schools in impoverished communities throughout the Curitiba metropolitan area. With around 50 project volunteers from the Volkswagen plant and surrounding communities, participants work in close cooperation with staff members at eight selected schools and day-care centres. At present, AMENOR is looking after and assisting around 3,000 children and adolescents in renovating their schools or organising instruction and talks, such as on the subject of health