Total production for 1998 at VW Slovakia hit 57.37 billion Sk ($1.43 billion), while exports of over 56 billion Sk (98% of output) posted a more than 2.6-fold increase from one year ago, VW's public relations head Viera Krupová said on February 18.
During 1998, the car manufacturer plowed back some DEM 229.5 million into development, also up from 1997's DEM 160 million. Volkswagen finished 1998 with a workforce of 5,250 people, and says this figure should grow to average 6,517 in 1999.
The company rolled out 125,181 automobiles, assembled 328,558 gearboxes and 8,183,464 car components in 1998. VW concern bosses are looking to double 1998 output at their Bratislava plant by the year 2000. To make that happen, VW Slovakia is setting aside a large amount of money to add new lacquering, car body and assembly halls.
