Press Release

Braunschweig, 6 July 2023 – Braunschweig's Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum and Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen Financial Services AG (VW FS), today signed the cooperation agreement "Braunschweig – Smart Green City". The aim of the collaboration is to enhance the quality of life in Braunschweig and to develop the city into a model for sustainable and integrated urban mobility as well as a pioneer of digitalization in administration.

"The City of Braunschweig is implementing various projects in the areas of digitalization, mobility, sustainability, and culture. It is steadily expanding its digital offering while working toward social and ecological goals," said Mayor Dr. Kornblum. He added: "I am pleased that by working with Volkswagen Financial Services AG we have a cooperation partner that supports us in achieving these goals." He also pointed out that successful joint projects such as the pilot project on digital vehicle registration for legal entities have shown how both sides can benefit from a closer cooperation.

Dr. Christian Dahlheim, CEO of Volkswagen Financial Services AG, emphasized the following aspect: "Together, we want to strengthen Braunschweig as a center of innovation and science, foster its cultural life and activities, implement sustainable projects, and increase its visibility as a Smart City. Various departments of VW FS and the city government are currently working on joint projects. I'm delighted that we have now set down a common vision for further collaboration in the form of a cooperation agreement." As one of the largest employers in Braunschweig, he added, the company wants to work together with the city administration to initiate pilot projects and demonstrate the mobility of the future in real-world laboratories.

The cooperation agreement focuses on promoting electromobility, providing innovative mobility solutions, and developing citizen-centric approaches to digitalizing administrative processes. It also singles out collaboration in the areas of sustainability, culture, and sports sponsorship. The core aim is to make the mobility of the future cleaner, quieter, more comfortable, and safer. Alternative mobility concepts are currently being examined as part of the cooperation – for example, the integration of elements such as bike leasing, charging infrastructure, and electrification of the municipal vehicle fleet. In addition, cooperation on cultural events is to be intensified, climate protection projects such as the renaturation of the River Schunter are to be advanced, and pilot projects in the areas of digitalization and renewable energies are to be pursued. Braunschweig's city marketing department is currently testing a digital business card developed by VW FS that transfers personal details directly to the other person's mobile phone via a QR code, eliminating the need for a paper business card.

The cooperation, which is planned for three years, is intended to strengthen the focus on current topics of priority and fortify existing competence and capabilities in order to support the continued positive development of Braunschweig as a location for business, science and culture in line with a "Smart Green City".