The Institute for Product Development focuses on the internal and external know-how required for vehicle development and the associated innovations. Current trends and research findings of relevance to the Volkswagen Group are addressed and, based on their long-term significance, integrated into the further development of the various teaching events. The Institute is an organisational platform for the academic exchange of know-how between universities and non-university research establishments and the Volkswagen Group. Cooperation with the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Vehicle Technology (NFF), a strong partner in mobility research, is an excellent example of the varied partnerships enjoyed by the institute. In addition, research activities leading to dissertations and Bachelor's and Master's theses are in progress. All vehicle-relevant factors that influence the technical parameters of product development and the product lifecycle are addressed, with the emphasis on the following subjects: Electronics Chassis Total vehicle Hybrids and electric drives Powertrain The IFPE is responsible for interdisciplinary topics including: Electric mobility A current focal point is electric traction, which requires a wealth of both technical and non-technical core competences presenting new challenges to car manufacturers. The necessary skills vary with respect to the different technical and business areas of the Volkswagen Group brands. The IFPE bundles together the resulting teaching events and has developed a graduated know-how transfer concept that is being continually aligned and extended to meet current Group requirements. Materials Materials play a central role in car manufacturing today and can have a massive influence on the value chain. They make an important contribution to lightweight automotive engineering and to the environmental compatibility and profitability of cars. The use of state-of-the-art materials is required in order to satisfy increasing demands made on cars and to meet weight and cost targets. The events will examine the interdisciplinary importance of materials as regards the Volkswagen Group. Quality The topic of quality meshes very closely with the company's interdisciplinary processes. The events address a breadth of content ranging from current research topics and issues to user-oriented case studies from both the Volkswagen Group and other companies and industries.