The 200,000th Volkswagen California rolled off the production line in Hanover-Limmer today, July 12, marking a significant milestone for the camper van. The California has been a symbol of freedom, discovery and adventure for over 35 years, and it continues to be one of the most popular camper vans on the market.
Last year saw a surge in demand, with a record-breaking delivery of 21,600 California 6.1 vehicles to customers, representing a 15 per cent increase compared to the pre-coronavirus year of 2019. The momentum continues, with VW expecting to build around 31,000 vehicles this year.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) and Volkswagen Group Services celebrated this momentous achievement alongside 600 employees at the Hanover-Limmer production plant.
The 200,000th California is an "all bells and whistles" California 6.1 Ocean with a 2.0-litre TDI engine mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission with 4Motion all-wheel drive. It features a two-tone paint finish in Reflex Silver / Fortana Red, kitchen and cupboard unit, plus an electric pop-up roof with red bellows.
Josef Baumert, Member of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand Board of Management responsible for Production and Logistics, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "The California has been a real success story for 35 years. The production of 200,000 vehicles signifies 200,000 customers who have discovered the world with a California 'Made in Hanover.' This outstanding accomplishment is a testament to the expertise and passion of our employees who, day after day, craft the world's most successful camper van at our main plant in Stöcken and in the dedicated camper van production."
Looking ahead, Volkswagen plans to continue the legacy of the California camper van. In the summer of 2024, the successor to the California 6.1 will be manufactured in Hanover, following the same production principles. Assembly of the base vehicle will be at the main plant in Hanover-Stöcken before being transformed into a customised camper van by experts in the California production department, located eight kilometres away at the Volkswagen Group Services site.
The growth of California production has been extraordinary. From humble beginnings, with the launch of the VW California in 1988 based on the T3 model (resulting in 22,000 vehicles), the camper van transitioned to in-house production by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with the fifth-generation Transporter. A dedicated production facility spanning 7,500 square meters in the Limmer district of Hanover was established, initially producing approximately 20 vehicles per day with a workforce of 35 production employees.
Over the years, productivity steadily increased, reaching an impressive milestone in 2017 with around 15,150 California vehicles built. The following year, VW celebrated the production of the 100,000th California in Limmer. Today, a mere five years later, the production capacity has skyrocketed to 150 Californias per day, thanks to 600 employees working in three shifts.
Hartmut Rickel, Spokesman of the Management Board of Volkswagen Group Services, proudly emphasised the substantial growth of California production in Limmer, saying, "The figures speak for themselves: when production began in 2004, 2,104 vehicles rolled off the line. This year, the Volkswagen Group Services team aims to produce 31,000 units. We are immensely proud of this increase and the continued development of the Hanover site into a forward-thinking production facility. On behalf of the management board, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our employees for their vital contributions to this success. Without their dedication, this extraordinary growth would not have been possible."
Kim Kilduff, Head of Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland, reflected on the milestone, recognising the California's unparalleled appeal: "The California goes beyond ordinary driving; it embodies the freedom to choose one's destination without limitations, offering the promise of new adventures each day. When it comes to camper vans, the California is the undisputed vehicle of choice for most people. The exponential growth in production in recent years is a testament to the enduring success of this iconic vehicle."