Press Release

Braunschweig, January 28, 2025. Volkswagen Financial Services AG is starting the year 2025 with a new sustainability strategy that applies to all European markets. The main areas of focus are Nature, Employees, Society, and Business. Decarbonization of the business plays a key role, particularly through supporting the market ramp-up of e-mobility. The goal is to achieve net carbon neutrality on the balance sheet¹ in Europe for business operations² and for the portfolio of leased and financed vehicles by 2030. Frank Fiedler, Board Member for Risk, Tax and Legal Affairs at Volkswagen Financial Services AG, stressed: "As an automotive financial and mobility service provider, we must live up to the responsibility we have towards future generations. After all, our aim is to actively help shape the mobility of tomorrow in the long term. This particularly includes the transformation to emission-free mobility. At the same time, we see a huge opportunity for our company in the area of sustainability. We are therefore intertwining these two elements in our new sustainability strategy: we want to contribute to a future worth living and leverage the resulting opportunities for our business model."

In the area of Nature, Volkswagen Financial Services AG has set itself the goal of making both the CO₂ emissions of its own business operations² at its various locations and the CO₂ emissions of the leased and financed vehicles in its portfolio net-carbon-neutral¹ in Europe by 2030. 

Focus on diversity, inclusion, and strong cyber security

Volkswagen Financial Services will be investing even more in training and development for employees, while also promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities. In the Society sphere, the company remains committed to its corporate citizenship role. Supporting social, cultural, and sports projects is already a central focus – not just in Braunschweig but throughout Europe.

Moreover, a robust cybersecurity strategy lies at the heart of the company's social engagement, since protecting sensitive data and defending against cyber threats are essential to the stability of the entire economic system and society as a whole.

Electromobility ramp-up and Green Bonds

At the core of the company's transformation of its business model is the shift towards electromobility. Leasing is already a key lever to support both private and fleet customers in electrifying their mobility. In collaboration with the Volkswagen Group brands, a comprehensive offering is being created for consumers – from vehicle selection to financing and infrastructure, including charging cards and extensive consulting for fleet managers.

At the same time, Volkswagen Financial Services have also set themselves the goal of increasing their proportion of sustainable refinancing in the capital market. The share of Green Bonds is targeted to reach 40 percent by 2030, rising to 60 percent by 2040. Green bonds are bond instruments where the proceeds are used exclusively for environmentally friendly purposes – here in particular for financing and leasing electric vehicles.

Investment in specific conservation projects

A core element of the new sustainability strategy remains the investment in specific environmental and climate protection projects. Volkswagen Financial Services are building on their 15-year project partnership with the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in the area of peatland protection. A new large-scale European project is about to begin. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Volkswagen ClimatePartner to support long-term, high-quality projects outside of Europe as well. Current flagship projects for this are located in Brazil and South Africa.

More information about the sustainability strategy are available at: Sustainability

Volkswagen Financial Services AG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and, as part of Volkswagen Group Mobility, manages the European financial and mobility services business. The aim of Volkswagen Financial Services AG is to support the sales of the Volkswagen Group brands and increase customer loyalty. The company is a longstanding partner of the dealership network – as a provider of financial services and as an aide and advisor. Its core products include vehicle leasing and financing, insurance, and other vehicle-related mobility products – both for private customers and for individual commercial customers and fleet customers. Through its subsidiary, Volkswagen Bank GmbH, Volkswagen Financial Services AG is also active in the direct banking sector.
More information available at www.vwfs.com.

¹ Measured by net emissions in t CO₂ = gross emissions minus offsets
² Direct CO₂ emissions from heating oil and refrigerants, petrol and diesel from company cars; indirect CO₂ emissions from district heating and electricity as well as business trips