Volkswagen expands research facility and reveals concept version of VW Bus

Volkswagen has announced the renaming and expansion of its Electronics Research Laboratory alongside a Type 20 concept vehicle.

The Innovation and Engineering Center California is said in the company’s 2 July press release to be the largest research facility outside of Germany, with over 180 engineers. It is to focus on bringing engineering innovations to the US market.

“The future of the Volkswagen Group will be defined by our success in developing new technology that is designed to meet our customers’ needs,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “As we roll out the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles, innovation will increasingly define who we are.”

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Also announced was a concept vehicle version of the iconic Volkswagen Type 2, known as the Type 20. The concept vehicle incorporates electric power and a bevy of experimental features. These include biometric identification, a digital assistant and a holographic infotainment system.

“We are excited to move into our next chapter as the IECC, to continue designing innovations that will bring the Volkswagen Group vehicles into the future with cutting-edge technology,” said Nikolai Reimer, Senior Vice President of the IECC. “The Type 20 is a fantastic example of how we celebrate our heritage while striving to advance our technology.”