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News

Lamborghini Confirms Participation in the Inaugural Qatar Motor Show

The CEO of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, has announced that the brand will be showcasing its vehicles at the first-ever Qatar motor show in October. However, Winkelmann also revealed that Lamborghini will no longer commit to long-term participation in motor shows.

The Qatar motor show, known as GIMS Qatar, is a joint venture between the organizers of the Geneva motor show and the tourist authorities in Qatar. It is scheduled to take place from October 5th to 14th, alongside the Qatar Grand Prix.

The announcement of the motor show has received some backlash, similar to the criticism faced by the men’s football world cup held in Qatar last year. Concerns have been raised regarding the country’s laws against homosexuality and the treatment of migrant workers.

The organizers of the show have stated that 30 global automotive brands will be exhibiting, although they have not yet disclosed the individual manufacturers. During an interview at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Winkelmann confirmed that Lamborghini will be attending the event, becoming the first brand to publicly confirm its participation.

In 2020, Lamborghini announced that it will no longer participate in large-scale motor shows, opting for smaller, more exclusive events to engage with customers and fans. This strategic decision aims to create a more intimate interaction with the brand.

Qatar Holding, the investment arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, currently owns 17% stake in the Volkswagen Group and previously held a significant number of shares in Porsche. It is understood that all Volkswagen Group brands will participate in the Qatar motor show due to this investment.

When asked about the significance of the show, Winkelmann stated, “We will see. It is the first time it has been staged, so we must evaluate it. But the Middle East is an important market for us.”

Concerns about the viability of some motor shows, such as the Geneva motor show, which has not been held since 2019 but is slated to return in 2024, have led Lamborghini to avoid making long-term commitments to such events in the future.

Winkelmann explained, “There are different types of events, some of which are tailor-made for our customers. Goodwood attracts a larger crowd due to the huge enthusiasm for cars, especially supercars, in the UK. However, this is not the case in every market. We need to assess how each show develops annually and then make a decision. The landscape of motor shows is rapidly changing, with many of them losing their appeal and not being as successful. If attendance declines and media coverage diminishes, there is no need for us to participate.”

Prior to the Qatar motor show, Lamborghini will have a prominent presence at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California. Winkelmann emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “For us, Pebble Beach is the most significant automotive event. It attracts our current and potential customers from all over the world. The event continues to grow in prominence, particularly among international attendees, and will continue to be of utmost importance to us.”

Volkswagen

“Unboxing” in Salzgitter: Prime Minister Stephan Weil Opens First Industrial Machine for Future Gigafactory

A significant milestone has been reached for the Salzgitter Gigafactory as Prime Minister Stephan Weil of Lower Saxony unveils the first industrial machine for the cell factory. The machine, which measures around 10 x 3 meters, marks the beginning of a new construction phase. The ramp-up of the machine and equipment park will now commence, with over 2,500 standard containers needed solely for equipment delivery. The Volkswagen Group’s battery company, PowerCo, is on schedule for its first mega project, and battery cell production at the Salzgitter site will commence in 2025.

Prime Minister Weil visited Salzgitter as part of his two-day summer tour focused on energy in Lower Saxony. The Gigafactory is regarded as an industrial symbol in Germany and a showcase for Lower Saxony as a location. Additionally, the Gigafactory leads the way in sustainability by relying on renewable energy and implementing innovative production processes like dry coating, which can reduce energy usage by up to 30 percent in the future.

Weil explained, “Volkswagen’s decision to construct the first gigafactory for battery cell production in Lower Saxony was courageous and wise. The pandemic has shown us the importance of being self-reliant in crucial areas of production, particularly regarding the battery, which is an essential component of electric vehicles. We must ensure that Germany remains a hub for battery cell production in the face of high energy costs.”

Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member Group Technology, stated, “A year ago, this area was just an open field, but now we are already setting up the first high-tech machines. This demonstrates the speed at which we are executing our plans. PowerCo is well on its way to becoming a global player in the battery industry, potentially serving as a new, future-proof powerhouse for Lower Saxony and Germany.”

The Gigafactory Salzgitter covers an area of approximately 2 million square meters, equivalent to around 280 football fields, making it one of the largest construction projects in Lower Saxony. In total, three PowerCo sites are under construction, including Salzgitter, Valencia, and St. Thomas, Canada. These factories combined will have a total capacity of up to 200 gigawatt hours per year, enough to power over 2 million electric cars.

PowerCo: Attracting Battery Experts

PowerCo is becoming a draw for battery experts. By July 1, 2023, the battery company is expected to employ its one-thousandth employee. By the end of the year, the workforce is projected to grow to up to 1,500. The average age of employees is currently 38, and more than a quarter come from international backgrounds. PowerCo also boasts a higher-than-average female representation of over 30 percent compared to the rest of the industry.

PowerCo CEO Frank Blome stated, “We are building an exceptional team. One year after its establishment, PowerCo has become an attractive destination for experienced battery specialists, who are highly sought-after worldwide. Simultaneously, we are actively training and qualifying our Group employees. In times of skilled labor shortages, this gives us a clear competitive advantage.”