By 2018, Volkswagen will be introducing 20 new models with alternative powertrains in the Chinese market, many of which will be produced locally.
With 19 locations and almost 3.5 million vehicles produced in 2014, China is the largest market for the Volkswagen Group. By 2019, manufacturing capacity is to be boosted to five million vehicles. Together with its Chinese partners, Volkswagen is investing €22 billion (Rs 168,168 crore) in highly advanced vehicles and powertrains, environmentally compatible technologies and resource-conserving production in China by 2019.
Yesterday Ma Kai, vice-premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, visited the Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg along with a high-rankling delegation. In Wolfsburg, he was informed about Volkswagen’s initiatives for environmentally compatible mobility in China and the company’s major electro-mobility campaign.
Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the Board of management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft provided the delegation with comprehensive information on the research activities of the Group and especially the electro-mobility campaign in the key market of China. "Volkswagen is committed to forging ahead with electro-mobility in China and to taking a leading role in technology and sales in this area by 2018," said Winterkorn. He expects Volkswagen Group China to sell a six-figure number of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles by 2020.
Volkswagen is opening its new vehicle plant in Changcha in 2015 and an engine plant in Changchun will also start production this year. In 2017/2018, there will be two further vehicle plants in Quingdao and Tianjin. In the environmentally compatible technology field, the Group says it is committed to innovations made in China and made for China.