AUTONEWS

VW currywurst: Volkswagen's microwave sausage

While many people think of Volkswagen as just one of the largest car manufacturers on the planet, the truth is that the German company has another product that also draws people's breath – and many orders – wherever it goes: its traditional currywurst sausage.

Now, this icon of industrial cooking has been given a new packaging and is now available in European supermarket freezers in a frozen, microwave-ready version.

The first phase of distribution is taking place in chains such as Edeka and Netto, in northern and eastern Germany, with expansion planned for the entire country.

The curious thing is that this story began very differently. The original recipe for the sausage was created exclusively for the employees of the car manufacturer in Wolfsburg.

The first phase of distribution is taking place in chains such as Edeka and Netto, in northern and eastern Germany, with expansion planned for the entire country.

The curious thing is that this story began very differently. The original recipe for the sausage was created exclusively for the employees of the car manufacturer in Wolfsburg.

The first phase of distribution is taking place in chains such as Edeka and Netto, in northern and eastern Germany, with expansion planned for the entire country.

The curious thing is that this story began very differently. The original recipe for the sausage was created exclusively for the employees of the car manufacturer in Wolfsburg.

Today, currywurst has become a true national symbol — and one of the brand's most consumed items.

To give you an idea of ​​the scale of the phenomenon, Volkswagen sold around 8.6 million currywursts in 2023. That's more than the 5.2 million cars the company delivered in the same year.

Yes, the German automaker sold more sausages than vehicles — and it doesn't seem to have a problem with that.

On the contrary: it is now betting on the frozen format to make consumption even easier and more practical. Just a few minutes in the microwave and consumers can satisfy their craving for the German classic without leaving home.

Unfortunately, this new trend is limited to Europe. For now, there is no indication that Volkswagen plans to export the delicacy to the United States or other countries.

And Americans are big fans of ready-made meals. But between import tariffs and complicated logistics, currywurst remains exclusive to Europeans.

It is worth remembering that Volkswagen's currywurst has already been the subject of controversy. In 2021, the company tried to replace the original recipe with a vegetarian version, which led to internal protests and outrage among employees. 

The phrase “No Volkswagen currywurst? No way!” even became a slogan among workers. The automaker ended up giving in to pressure and brought back the traditional version, showing that, at least in this case, messing with fans' taste buds can be a huge mistake. 

Now, with its focus on frozen shelves, the brand reinforces that tradition can indeed be modernized without losing its flavor. And more than just a snack, Volkswagen's sausage is consolidating itself as a symbol of German business culture — and, who would have thought, a worthy competitor to the company's own cars.

Autonews