Volkswagen is embarking on a new journey in China.
"The Volkswagen brand has a 40-year history of success in China and is extending it to a new era of mobility. Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Beijing International Auto Show, Volkswagen Passenger Car CEO Wentao Schwentao said: "Together with all our Chinese partners, we will enter a new era of mobility in China. ”
Over the past 40 years, Volkswagen has gained the trust of more than 40 million users in China. Based on the "In China, For China" strategy, Volkswagen is opening a new chapter in China with a new Chinese DNA concept car.
Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Car China: "This concept car for the Chinese market brings the brand's DNA into a new era, meeting all the expectations of Chinese consumers in the connected era with innovative styling and cutting-edge technology. ”
Concept car ID. CODE
From 1984 to 2024, Volkswagen has been working hand in hand with the Chinese market for 40 years.
The all-new China DNA Concept combines sleek lines and futuristic styling, and is tailored to the expectations of Chinese users for the future of mobility.
Andreas Mindt, Chief Designer of Volkswagen's Passenger Car Brands, said: "Volkswagen's teams in China and Germany listen carefully to the voices of Chinese users and integrate their needs with our new DNA. Its sleek silhouette, powerful wheel arches and high-tech exterior styling set the stage for a completely new product concept. ”
Judging from the design sketches, the design language of this new China-exclusive DNA concept car emphasizes aerodynamic and sleek bodywork. The streamlined roofline extends from the front windscreen to the C-pillar and joins the upper spoiler of the rear window to create a streamlined shape that creates a futuristic and more dynamic visual effect.
The swooping bonnet, sharp wheel arches and powerful shoulder line complement the waistline to create a clean, sleek side profile.
It is worth mentioning that this model is tailor-made for China, which is another important manifestation of the Volkswagen brand's focus on Chinese consumers. As a key part of Volkswagen's commitment to China, the concept car embodies Volkswagen's product vision and philosophy in the era of intelligent connectivity.
At the Beijing Auto Show, the theme of Volkswagen's booth was "Enlightening New World". In order to show the Volkswagen brand's vision for the future and its determination to create a new era of mobility, the booth design also reflects the meaning of "new".
A fully open space with a mix of Chinese and German design styles: it is both a Volkswagen booth and an offline social camp for everyone. In the center of the booth was a special space surrounded by screens on three sides, called the "Future Design Lab". Here, with its all-round and futuristic visual presentation, ID. CODE seems to have come from a time tunnel.
Meng Xia, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand China, said: "We have always believed that Volkswagen's success in China is based on continuous innovation, which will also be reflected in our new concept car. This concept car built specifically for China brings the DNA of the Volkswagen brand into a new era, meeting all the expectations of Chinese consumers in the connected era with innovative styling and cutting-edge technology. We look forward to further sharpening our product experience with our new Chinese DNA and ushering in the next 40 years in this dynamic market." ”
In China, for China
In the highly competitive Chinese market, the Volkswagen brand will continue to maintain its growth momentum in the field of new energy in 2023.
The Volkswagen brand and its Jetta sub-brands delivered more than 2,398,600 new vehicles in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in 2023, making them the preferred international car brands for Chinese car buyers. At the same time, the Volkswagen brand further strengthened its leading position in the gasoline vehicle market, increasing its market share to 15.2%, continuously meeting the diversified travel needs of Chinese users.
The Volkswagen brand's new energy offensive has been further strengthened, with a total of 190,100 vehicles delivered in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 5.2%. Among them, the sales of pure electric ID. models exceeded 155,500 units, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%.
In the fiercely competitive Chinese market, the Volkswagen brand ranked among the top five brands in China's pure electric vehicle market in the fourth quarter. In December last year alone, the ID. family sold more than 22,100 units, setting a new monthly sales record. In addition, the ID.3 and ID.4 have become among the best-selling models in their respective segments.
In addition, it will rely on various scalable platforms with competitive advantages: as a complement to the proven and reliable MQB and MEB platforms, it will also create platforms dedicated to the Chinese market, such as the CMP platform and the platform jointly developed with Xpeng.
In terms of products, in 2024, the product portfolio will usher in a significant upgrade. The launch of the new generation of Golf and best-selling models such as the Tiguan and Passat with advanced hybrid technology, as well as a series of all-electric MEB models, will further strengthen the brand's market position.
In 2024, with the launch of Volkswagen Anhui's first Chinese model, the Volkswagen brand will bring a richer range of pure electric products to Chinese users.
According to the plan, Volkswagen will create an excellent product matrix covering all market segments for Chinese customers: by 2030, it will launch around 35 new vehicles covering all power types.
Specifically, by 2030, Volkswagen's all-electric ID. family lineup will be expanded to 16 models, including five ID.UX models by 2027. The company will launch six hybrid models based on key fuel models. Combustion engine vehicles are an important pillar of Volkswagen's transformation, and at least 12 new fuel vehicles will be launched in the future to meet the continued market demand.
Conclusion: Volkswagen said that in the future, it will accelerate the deepening of the "In China, For China" strategy, continue to expand the "circle of friends" of local cooperation, focus on the driving experience needs of the local market, and "go both ways" with Chinese customers.