Ten years ago, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles started production at its Września plant. Today, the site is the only production facility worldwide for the Volkswagen Crafter and its sister model, the MAN TGE. A vehicle rolls off the production line every 163 seconds, and more than 100,000 vehicles were produced in 2025. In June 2026, the 600,000th Crafter produced in Września rolled off the production line, a Volkswagen Grand California Dune.
The decision to build a dedicated plant for the Volkswagen Crafter was taken in March 2014. The foundation stone was laid in November of the same year. Just 23 months later, on 24 October 2016, the plant was officially opened.
“The opening of the Września plant was a strategic step for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It established a modern production base for the Crafter and strengthened our position in the large commercial vehicle segment. Ten years later, we continue to build this foundation. Our investment in the next generation of the electric Crafter is part of the long-term transformation of our brand as we prepare for changing market requirements,” says Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
A major employer in the region
More than 3,000 people work at the Września plant, while Volkswagen Poznań employs around 9,000 people in total. The company is one of the largest employers in the region and supports suppliers as well as logistics and service companies.
Automation, quality and expertise
Around 630 robots are used in production at the Września plant. Autonomous transport vehicles support logistics operations, while artificial intelligence-based solutions are used in quality control.
“A modern plant brings together technology, quality and people’s expertise. Over the past ten years, we have continuously developed our production processes, introduced new solutions and gained valuable experience. This enables us to meet growing market requirements. Today, preparing the plant for the next phase of the automotive industry’s transformation is just as important as maintaining its efficiency,” says Richard Slovak, CEO of Volkswagen Poznań.
Technological change is also increasing the qualification requirements for employees, particularly in the fields of automation, digitalization and electromobility.
Expansion for the electric Crafter
Two new production buildings with a combined area of almost 60,000 square metres are currently being constructed at the site. One will be used to produce the underbody for the next generation of the all-electric Crafter, while the other will serve as a battery storage and logistics facility. Construction is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2027.
More sustainable production
The Września plant also uses renewable energy as part of its production operations. More than 31,000 solar modules covering around 27 hectares provide up to 18.3 megawatts of capacity. Under favorable weather conditions, the installation can cover the plant’s entire electricity demand. On an annual average, it supplies around 25 per cent.
The site is also used for agrivoltaics: almost 100 sheep of the regional Wielkopolska breed graze beneath the solar panels and keep the vegetation short.
Września plant: facts and figures
- Foundation stone laid: November 2014
- Production started: autumn 2016
- Plant area: around 220 hectares
- Employees: more than 3,000; Volkswagen Poznań total: around 9,000
- Models produced: Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE
- 2025 production: more than 101,000 vehicles
- Production rate: one completed vehicle every 163 seconds
- 600,000th Crafter: June 2026, a Volkswagen Grand California Dune
- Robots in production: around 630
- Plant expansion: two new buildings with a combined area of almost 60,000 square metres
- Photovoltaic installation: more than 31,000 solar modules covering around 27 hectares, with capacity of up to 18.3 MW
- Electricity supply: up to 100 per cent of the plant’s electricity demand under favourable conditions; around 25 per cent on an annual average
- Agrivoltaics: almost 100 sheep of the Wielkopolska breed
