VW plans historic investment

China Daily, January 18, 2011

Market of 18 million units

Overall vehicle sales in China grew by 32.4 percent from 2009 to 18.06 million units last year, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

The association predicted last week that vehicle sales would increase by 10 to 15 percent this year.

Volkswagen brand overall sales reached 1.51 million units in China last year, up 35 percent.

The group's luxury marque Audi delivered a record 227,938 cars in the nation last year, a skyrocketing increase of 43 percent.

Sales of the group's Czech unit Skoda jumped by 47 percent to 180,515 units in 2010.

The group's joint venture with SAIC Motor Corp builds Volkswagen-brand and Skoda cars. Its other tie-up with FAW Corp makes Volkswagens and Audis.

Neumann said the outstanding results were due to the group's wide range of competitive models and its strategy of innovative and affordable cars offering fuel-efficient technologies - the carmaker's TSI engines and DSG transmissions.

Sales of the Volkswagen Lavida compact sedan, produced at its partnership with SAIC, surpassed 240,000 units last year, making it one of the best-selling models in China.

Volkswagen Group said it would launch two new mid-sized models from its two joint ventures next year.

The tie-up with SAIC also agreed with Skoda earlier this year to produce the Czech brand's compact SUV Yeti in 2013.

"Based on our solid performance and strong partnership with SAIC and FAW, we are well prepared for long-term sustainable growth," Neumann said.

"We have kept our promise to bring the latest technologies to China. The first batch of e-cars (electric cars) with the VW logo will hit China's roads in 2011."

The group announced earlier this year that it would launch Volkswagen Lavida and Golf electric cars from the joint ventures with SAIC and FAW between 2013 and 2014.