Including the Chinese joint ventures, the Volkswagen Group employed a total of 369,928 people worldwide at the end of fiscal year 2008. This figure includes 32,630 employees from the Scania brand, which was consolidated in the Group from July 22, 2008. The increase in the Group’s production and sales figures last year is largely attributable to our employees’ commitment. Hard-working, motivated staff are instrumental in the development and production of high-quality, state-of-the-art vehicles. The staff development initiative launched in 2007 was continued last year to further improve employees’ performance and expertise and will serve to safeguard the Volkswagen Group’s long-term future. The main emphasis of this initiative was on vocational training processes, improved development paths for skilled workers and university graduates, plus a substantial increase in technical expertise.