Volkswagen Group's MQB architecture helped the automaker to keep down production costs and reduce manufacturing time for the new Golf compact car that will launch in Europe in December.
The platform, which will underpin 50 million vehicles from VW Group brands over the new, second generation, helped the automaker to keep a tight lid on costs, said VW brand's production boss, Andreas Tostmann.
"Through an even higher standardization in machinery and processes, we succeeded in reducing investment by more than half versus its predecessor," Tostmann told reporters during a press briefing. "Our platform strategy is delivering," he said.
The current Golf marked the switch to MQB from the previous PQ35 platform that only underpinned compact cars.
As a result of the new car utilizing the same modular architecture, Tostmann said VW only needed to replace about 20 percent of the equipment needed to build the body, largely tools to make design-specific parts like side paneling.
Production will be also centered now in Wolfsburg, Germany, which has an installed capacity of 450,000 units across all Golf derivatives.
Management had decided in August of last year to shift production out of two other VW plants in Zwickau, Germany, and Puebla, Mexico, with the end of the current seventh generation.
Manufacturing time could also be reduced by about 4 percent, according to Tostmann, despite adding further complexity to the vehicle including another 100 meters of cables and 31 more electrical connections.
