Volkswagen to launch 12 China-only SUVs by 2020

Volkswagen will launch at least 12 SUVs for the Chinese market by 2020 - and says China will play a “decisive” role in its future success.

The ambitious strategy was confirmed at the launch of the new Touareg SUV in Beijing. Three new China-only SUVs were also revealed, including two developed purely in that country.

VW’s various partnerships, including with SAIC and FAW, sold 3.2 million vehicles in China last year, equating to a market share of more than 13%. That total included 400,000 SUVs; VW expects the category to account for a third of its Chinese sales by 2020.

The company currently offers three SUVs in China: the Tiguan, Touareg and a Chinese version of the Teramont. The market has seen rapid growth in demand, with SUVs skyrocketing from accounting for 8% of the market to 45% between 2007 and 2017.

VW CEO Herbert Diess said: “China will have a decisive effect on the success of our future strategy. We intend to and will justify the trust placed in us [by Chinese customers]. We will orient our product range even more closely to the wishes and expectations of Chinese customers.”

The firm is also refreshing its entire range in the country and plans to launch a total of 38 new or revamped cars in China by 2020. These will include the T-Roc and an "advanced mid-sized SUV" that will feature a "touch of coupé" in its design.

VW will roll out nine new Chinese market models this year, including a Tiguan PHEV and a Bora EV. It will launch 10 electrified PHEV or EV cars by 2020, before the first ID EV model launches on the MEB platform.