[Report] Car Delivery Also a 'Spectacular Show'... Moving Inside 48m Car Tower, GPS Check and Commemorative Photo 'Wrap-up'

World's Largest Car Theme Park Autostadt
Receive Vehicles Directly from Factory and Enjoy the Car Theme Park Simultaneously
Old Car Museum, Rides, and Driving Experiences Included
Reflecting Germans' Car Enjoyment Culture

# German Mr. Lukas Schmidt (pseudonym) spent this weekend at the automobile theme park 'Autostadt.' He went there to pick up his newly purchased Volkswagen Tiguan directly from the Wolfsburg factory. Germans welcome a new car as if adopting a pet. At Autostadt, located next to the factory, customers can receive their freshly made cars immediately. Accommodation was arranged at the hotel inside the theme park. There, Mr. Schmidt enjoyed a variety of activities with his children, including a factory tour, visits to the old car museum and future car exhibition, and an F1 simulation game.

For Germans, cars are a kind of culture beyond just an industry. As of 2021, 15.3% of Germany's exports were automobiles and parts. The industry employs as many as 780,000 people. Cars are deeply embedded in the daily lives of Germans. The world's largest automobile theme park, Autostadt, showcases a facet of German car culture. On the 16th (local time), we visited Autostadt located next to the Volkswagen Wolfsburg factory.

Autostadt Car Tower
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

Upon entering the main gate of Autostadt, two car towers were immediately visible. The glass towers were densely filled with cars of various colors. Volkswagen stores up to 377 cars per tower, each 48 meters high. Built on a site of 84,700 pyeong (approximately 280,000 square meters), Autostadt is a massive car delivery center. When a buyer decides to take delivery, Volkswagen transports the car produced at the Wolfsburg factory to the car tower through a glass tunnel. The vehicle reaches the tower in 8 minutes at a maximum speed of 2 m/s. The new car, stored in the tower for about a day, is then moved to the delivery area via an underground conveyor belt. Buyers can track their car's movement via GPS. Upon arrival at the delivery area, the car is fitted with license plates and commemorative photos are taken.

Inside the Autostadt Car Tower
[Photo by Volkswagen]

After touring the delivery area and entering the main building, the sound of children’s laughter was heard. Despite it being a weekday afternoon, many family visitors were present. Scenes of children sliding down indoor slides, riding bicycles, or families dining together in the restaurant were noticeable. The second floor was set up as the 'ID Studio,' introducing Volkswagen Group’s electrification strategy. Here, visitors can see Volkswagen’s electric vehicle dedicated platform, 'MEB,' firsthand. A media sculpture that allows visitors to see inside the electric car ID.3 as if through an X-ray also caught attention.

Family visitors are enjoying their leisure time in the main hall of Autostadt.
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

F1 simulation game center set up inside Autostadt
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

At the Autostadt Future Car Exhibition Hall, there is a sculpture that allows visitors to look inside an electric vehicle.
[Photo by Woo Su-yeon]

Autostadt is a sanctuary for car enthusiasts, or 'chadeok' (car lovers). The ZeitHaus, located right next to the main building, exhibits over 60 brands of old cars including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. The exhibition theme is 'Design ICONS,' showcasing works by designers who made a mark in 130 years of automotive history. Visitors can see everything from the 1964 early model of the Jaguar E-Type, known as the most beautiful classic car in the world, to the 1962 model of Volkswagen’s iconic original Beetle.

1964 Jaguar E-Type exhibited at the Autostadt Museum
[Photo by Woo Su-yeon]

Original Volkswagen Beetle in transit after being exhibited at the Autostadt Museum
[Photo by Woo Su-yeon]

Additionally, visitors can experience various programs such as driving education, souvenir shopping, F1 simulation games, large slide rides, children’s driving school, and craft classes. Cultural performances for local residents, including Berlin Philharmonic concerts, are also held here. The continuous updating of content and events is the secret behind attracting 2 million visitors annually. A Volkswagen official explained, "More than half of the visitors return after their first visit," adding, "Autostadt is a communication platform where the brand interacts with customers."