Volkswagen Group Test Center California earns LEED Certification

Volkswagen's Test Center California (TCC) product development and emissions test laboratory has achieved the coveted certification from the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification
program.

LEED certification is an internationally-recognised green building certification system developed by the USGBC in March of 2000. LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solution.

"Volkswagen Group has a comprehensive strategy to develop sustainable innovations designed to help reduce the environmental footprint of our products and all aspects of our corporate operations," said Matthias Barke, General Manager, Volkswagen Group Test Center California. "As one of the few automotive laboratories of its kind in the world to achieve LEED certification, the TCC's achievement allows us to be better neighbors while contributing to Volkswagen's worldwide commitment to environmental responsibility."

Volkswagen Group is committed to a global environmental strategy designed to help reduce the company's fleet fuel consumption and emissions while promoting sustainable and eco-conscious innovations in all of the company's operations.

In partnership with the facility's owner, Quattro-Del Norte LLC of Oxnard, the TCC features several energy-saving technologies with the goal of being one of the most eco-conscious automobile testing laboratories in the world.

Aspects of the TCC that earned LEED recognition include:
> Use of energy-conserving insulation, increased ventilation and thermal comfort design elements help reduce energy resources needed to keep the interior climate optimal
> Low-emitting materials used throughout the facility
> Solar array that features 1,750, 430-kilowatt panels that help reduce energy costs by one-third
> Extensive use of energy efficient fluorescent lighting with motion sensors and electronic time schedule management
> Use of advanced climate control management technologies utilising state-of-the-art HVAC units equipped with economisers and ceiling fans helping to lower energy costs and improve airflow
> Innovative wastewater technologies, use of low-flow water fixtures with no-touch sensors, and others that help to reduce water usage by more than 26 per cent
> On-site renewable energy sources and optimized performance that help to contribute to an increase in efficiency and energy cost savings of approximately 35 per cent

Volkswagen Group Test Center California is a state-of-the-art development center that features an emissions test laboratory, parts analysis capabilities, a vehicle workshop with more than 16 in-ground lifts, and a dealer service and training center. In addition, the facility features extensive office and meeting areas to accommodate approximately 50 TCC team members and more than 300 Volkswagen Group engineers and partners who make the trip to Oxnard each year to conduct a myriad of testing projects.

The facility supports several Volkswagen Group brands including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and Bugatti.

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