Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automotive manufacturer founded in 1937, headquartered in Wolfsburg.
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Volkswagen reports strong operational emissions reductions but masks worsening total impact: Scope 3 rose 4.4% to 420Mt CO2e in 2023 while intensity-only targets obscure absolute growth. Dieselgate—systematic fraud costing $33.3B+ in fines—remains the defining scandal. Lobbying misalignment and supply chain opacity compound credibility gaps.
Volkswagen scores 28/100 (Significant gaps) on SINK's independent climate assessment, scored from public data only. Fees pay for the review, never the result. Last verified May 2026.
That places Volkswagen joint 658th of 847 companies scored, and joint 13th of 24 in Automotive.
Where Volkswagen sits among automotive peers.
Among the 24 major automotive brands we've scored, Volkswagen is tied =13th of 24, with 2 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
Dieselgate: VW deliberately installed defeat devices in 11 million vehicles; $33.3B+ in fines, penalties, settlements—largest greenwashing fine in corporate history.
Total emissions rose 4.4% from 403Mt (2022) to 420Mt (2023) due to Scope 3 growth.
Scope 3 target is intensity-based only, not absolute.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Evidence that isn't public can count through an evidence review.
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Get in touch →Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Emissions Trajectory (2/10, 3/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Volkswagen.
JLR reports operational emissions reductions and renewable energy progress at UK sites, but critical weaknesses undermine credibility: Scope 3 targets are intensity-based despite 22% sales growth, making absolute emissions reductions unlikely.
See the breakdown →Mercedes-Benz has reduced operational emissions 74% from 2018 but total absolute emissions rose 7.86% in 2024.
See the breakdown →Subaru reports comprehensive emissions data across Scope 1, 2, and 3, but total emissions rose 28% year-on-year while BEV penetration stalled at 1.9% globally against a 2030 target of 50%.
See the breakdown →The formula and all 14 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale14 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
9 of 14 sources are independent of the company.
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automotive manufacturer founded in 1937, headquartered in Wolfsburg. With 2024 revenue of €324.7 billion and ~9 million annual vehicle production, it ranks among the world's largest automakers, operating multiple marques including VW, Audi, Porsche, and Skoda across Europe, China, and North America.
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