News

Volkswagen has launched a new version of its best-selling product and it has the potential to dramatically increase revenues and profitability – but it’s nothing to do with cars.

In a twist that might make even the most seasoned automotive analyst do a double-take, one of the firm’s most important product lines isn’t a vehicle, or even a vehicle component, but a traditional type of German sausage.

The world’s second-largest car maker is also a heavyweight in the processed meat business, and its famed Volkswagen currywurst is now heading for the ready meal aisle in supermarkets.

First grilled into existence in 1973 at the company’s own butchery in Wolfsburg, the sausage was originally intended for internal use only, fuelling staff in Volkswagen’s canteens, but it soon escaped the factory gates and quickly attained cult status among the German public.

In 2024 alone, Volkswagen sold close to 8.6 million currywursts, comfortably eclipsing the 5.2m Volkswagen-branded cars and commercial vehicles it delivered globally. Even counting all Volkswagen Group brands combined (9.03m), currywurst runs a close second.

From June 2025, it’s getting the full ready meal supermarket treatment, with a microwave-ready version launching at retailers such as Edeka and Netto in northern and eastern Germany. A national rollout is reportedly in the works.

While microwave currywurst trays have been available since the early 2000s, Volkswagen’s version has a factory-fresh twist: no sachet of curry powder for the tomato sauce, which Dietmar Schulz, head of Volkswagen’s in-house meat department, says is because “there’s already enough curry in there – in the sausage and in the sauce”.

Currywurst isn’t just a PR novelty: it’s big business. Although Volkswagen doesn’t specifically detail its sausage sales in its annual report, estimates suggest its processed meat operation generates seven-figure annual revenues in euros.

The currywurst even has an official Volkswagen part number: 199 398 500 A.

Over the decades, currywurst has become part of Volkswagen folklore. When the German car maker attempted to replace it with a vegetarian alternative in one factory canteen, the backlash was swift and fierce. “No Volkswagen sausage? No way!” became the rallying cry.

Now, with the new microwave-ready version, Volkswagen is keeping things properly seasoned and aiming for even bigger sales.

The UK government will now allow the installation of EV chargers without planning permission from a local authority, regardless of whether it's for private or public use. 

The move is intended to accelerate the roll-out of EV chargers across the UK, the previous Conservative government having set a target for the installation of 300,000 chargers across the nation by 2030.

Installations of private chargers at homes with off-street parking were already exempt from planning permission in most cases. However, the requirement of a green light from local authorities for larger public developments had previously been cited as a key bottleneck in the roll-out of the UK's charging network. 

Ian Johnston, CEO of charger provider Osprey, last year told Autocar: “The problem is you've got to go through a process which is under-resourced and takes six to nine months to get planning permission.”

The new exemption from obtaining planning permission is likely to make a particular difference in the speed at which large charging ‘hubs’ can be installed, given that these typically require the installation of supporting infrastructure, such as electrical substations.

Lewis Gardiner, Osprey’s operations director, today said in a government statement: “This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground.

"Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need.”

Lilian Greenwood, minister for the future of roads, added: “We’re cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the switch will have more charge points to power from and less red tape to deal with."

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for motoring organisation AA, said the move was “a positive step” that “will help accelerate installations”.

According to charger mapping firm Zap-Map, there were more than 79,000 publicly accessible charge points across the UK at the end of April 2025. This was up from some 73,000 at the end of 2024 and just under 54,000 at the end of 2023.

Technology giant Siemens has been named as the sponsor of the 2025 Autocar Awards, which will celebrate the people and organisations shaping the future of automotive - as well as the best cars on sale.

This year's awards ceremony takes place on 24 June, where Autocar and Siemens will name the industry's most innovative and impactful individuals, and provide a platform for them to tell their stories. 

As part of Autocar's collaboration with Siemens, the two brands will also host a free, interactive webinar on 25 June in which we will delve into how software is defining the future of automotive.

As its role in vehicle development and functionality becomes ever-more important, there are huge questions over what software means for how we use our cars - and what the future holds.

Siemens is a technology leader with a significant influence on the mobility sphere so is well placed to help answer those questions and reveal the full potential of software in this space.

How can manufacturers upgrade cars post-purchase? Does your car have untapped technological potential built in already? What is a software-defined vehicle? These are just some of the questions we’ll seek to answer in our free webinar on Wednesday 25 June from 14:00-15:00.

Join Siemens head of automotive, battery and mobility Uday Senapati, Autocar deputy editor Felix Page and a selection of special industry guests – to be announced in the coming weeks – for an insightful and interactive deep-dive into the world of automotive software.

Mark Tisshaw, Autocar editor, said: “Throughout our collaboration with Siemens, it has become clear just how deeply connected the company is to the automotive industry and how influential its relationships are at every level.

“We are thrilled to partner with Siemens to tell the stories of the industry's most impressive individuals and companies at this year's Autocar Awards ceremony and to hear how the company's insights and expertise are shaping the future of the car in our upcoming webinar.”

The webinar will be broadcast live on Wednesday 25 June from 14:00-15:00, with the opportunity to put questions to our expert guests.

Sign up here to watch for free