Exactly 63 years ago to the day, production of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles began at the Hannover-Stöcken plant, in Germany. On 8thMarch, the ten millionth vehicle came off the production line: a red and white Transporter 6 Caravelle.
“The ten millionth vehicle from our plant in Hannover is a symbol of a unique success story. And it’s a success that we aim to continue going forward. To this end, we are completely realigning the plant – with new products and business models,” said Dr. Thomas Sedran, Chairman of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand Board of Management at the special celebration event at the factory.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is donating the nine-seater to the “Hannover AUF DER BULT Children’s Hospital” Foundation. Mr. Sedran added that the brand was ensuring a sustainable future for the Hannover site and its employees. “Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has been a part of the city for 63 years. I am therefore delighted that our ten millionth vehicle is also going to be on the roads of Hannover in the future, helping with the important work of the city’s children’s hospital.”
Start of production 63 years ago
Production of the Transporter series 1 began at the newly built plant in Hannover-Stöcken on 8 March 1956. In addition to the generations of T-series vehicles, the LT, the Taro pick-up and, for a time, the Beetle were also produced there. Today, the T6 – and soon the T6.1 update – and the Amarok are made in Hannover. Around 14,500 people are employed by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hannover, the brand’s main site.
Vehicles produced in Hannover since 1956:
| Period | Model | Number of vehicles produced |
| 1956 to present | T1 – T6 | 8,940,000 |
| 1974 – 1975 | Beetle (Type 1) | 43,000 |
| 1975 – 1996 | LT | 812,000 |
| 1989 – 1995 | Taro | 61,000 |
| 2012 to present | Amarok | 144,000 |