Volkswagen Names Paraplegic Race Car Driver Torsten Gross as Driver Access Program Ambassador

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced a new chapter in its Driver Access program with the addition of an exciting ambassador: Torsten Gross, a quadriplegic race car driver who is transforming perceptions of what is possible behind the wheel. Together, Volkswagen and Gross are working to achieve more inclusive and empowering mobility for drivers with physical disabilities. Through the Driver Access program, eligible customers can receive up to $1,000 reimbursement for the purchase and installation of eligible adaptive equipment on new or certified pre-owned Volkswagen vehicles.

The current program is open to eligible Volkswagen customers with documented physical disabilities who purchase or lease an eligible vehicle. Torsten Gross, a C6 quadriplegic and competitive race car driver who has been redefining what is possible in motorsports, will be the program's first ambassador. Gross embodies the mission of Driver Access: breaking down barriers and reinventing mobility for everyone. As someone who has experienced both the challenges and triumphs of adaptive driving, I feel honored to join VW in the mission to help others find their way to the future, said Torsten Gross. Every time I get behind the wheel, whether in my race car or my street car, I remember that possibilities are infinite, and through the Driver Access program, we are opening that feeling of freedom and confidence to even more Volkswagen drivers.

As part of the collaboration, Volkswagen of America will provide Gross with a 2025 GTI that he plans to specially equip with adaptive equipment tailored to his needs. In addition to working together to make Torsten's adapted GTI a reality, Gross will be the first ambassador for Volkswagen's Driver Access brand, bringing his distinctive energy and purposeful voice to various initiatives. He will consult on product accessibility, participate as a speaker at public events and industry forums, and be a featured internal speaker for the entire Volkswagen Group workforce. Torsten's story is a powerful reminder that accessibility and performance can go hand in hand, said Rachael Zaluzec, senior vice president of Customer Experience and Marketing at Volkswagen of America. His determination and passion make him the perfect partner for Volkswagen to work toward making our vehicles, and the road, a more inclusive space.

The Driver Access program launches simultaneously with Volkswagen's Inclusive Environment Work Team (VIEW), the Volkswagen of America Employee Resource Group dedicated to inclusion and equity for people with disabilities in the workplace and beyond. Through this broader initiative, Volkswagen of America is committed to supporting underrepresented communities, reimagining the meaning of mobility for people of all abilities. For more information about the Driver Access Program, visit https://www.vw.com.