Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn (right) and Dr. Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz (left) give the Volkswagen Group Award to Pirelli board member Alberto Pirelli.
Pirelli & Cie SpA has won the 2013 Volkswagen Group Award, given to the Volkswagen Group's "best suppliers," for excelling in "global partnership, product quality, competitiveness and project management and flexibility."
The Italian tire manufacturer was officially named a "Global Champion" for its "firm commitment, competitiveness and ability to innovate, with the development of self-sealing technology underlining the company's technical know-how and ability to rise to future challenges," according to Volkswagen.
The prize was given to Pirelli at a recent ceremony in Dresden, Germany, by Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen's chairman of the board of management, and Dr. Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz, a board member and procurement officer.
Pirelli supplies six million ultra-high performance tires per year to the Volkswagen Group for the Volkswagen Tiguan, Touareg, Phaeton and Golf. The total represents more than 200 homologations in sizes that range from 15 to 21 inches. Another 250 homologations are under development.
The partnership between the two groups is not just limited to the European market. It also takes in other territories such as Latin America, Mexico and China. Pirelli and the Volkswagen Group are also engaged in joint business developments in Russia and the United States.
The long list of models currently equipped by Pirelli also includes the Porsche Carrera, Boxster, Cayenne and Panamera; Lamborghini Aventador and Gallardo; Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur; Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q7, RS5, RS6 and TT.
