After previously owned two second-hand Volkswagens, we finally bought a new one and there was no way we were not going to pick it up at Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg still has the largest motor manufacturing plant in Germany although most Volkswagens sold in Germany are now produced elsewhere.
Labor costs in Germany can be prohibitively high. The VW workers in Wolfsburg are famous for their skill and high productivity but also for above average wages. In a special deal to placate labor unions, VW in 2003 agreed with unions to employ 5,000 new workers at below union wages in Wolfsburg rather than locate a factory elsewhere. These workers would work in a separate factory from the higher paid ones. Our new Touran was one of the first cars off this factory floor and fortunately there was nothing cheap or below average in the building quality.
Four months after we ordered our car, VW informed us it was ready for delivery. We provided proof of insurance in order to have the number plates made and arranged the pick up time with the delivery center in Wolfsburg. You have to pick the car up within an agreed fifteen-minute period! When an American journalist once asked Volkswagen what happens if you miss your appointment, he was told it is not a major problem but “Germans tend to be on time”.
Our journey thus started in the ICE train on Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof. This express train to Berlin also stops in Wolfsburg and several other travelers had license plates poking out of bags – only amateurs have bags big enough to actually conceal the plates. I mean what is the purpose of going to Wolfsburg by train without letting everybody see you are going to pick up a new car?
Wolfsburg = Volkswagen. Only the blind can miss that. The factory is across the canal from the station and VW signs are everywhere. Right next to the station is the Abholzentrum (Collection Center) Check-In counter where you hand over the paperwork, license plates, child car seats, and any other luggage you want them to place in your new car. You are then free to explore Autostadt at leisure or Wolfsburg itself if you really want to.
At the appointed time, you appear at the Service Center where a large digital display inform you at which counter you need to present yourself. A quick check to confirm identities and we were led down to the lower level where the car was waiting, all packed and child seat fitted. The VW representative showed us that all the optional equipment was installed, how to fold the seats, a few safety features, and any questions? It is your time, you can take as long as you want and ask whatever. However, from experience VW knows it only takes minutes to get the customer out – the average new car owner just want to hit the open road.
Although we were provided with a map showing all the gas stations in Wolfsburg between VW and the Autobahnen, we were a good 200 km down the road before we needed some diesel. Fortunately, the car in front of us was a just collected new Touran too so I could simply enquire from the guy how to open the fuel cap rather than struggle through the handbook as he had to.