Wednesday 01 Jan
The joint venture between Chinese automaker SAIC Motor and German automotive giant Volkswagen plans to launch three new models in the Chinese market by 2026. This strategic move aims to bolster the joint venture's competitiveness in the rapidly expanding Chinese automotive market.
According to Chinese media reports, the three new models, codenamed 'A', 'B', and 'C', will encompass a range of electrified vehicle segments, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Model A, a PHEV sedan, is a
modified version of SAIC's existing Roewe D7. Model B, an SUV, is based on a platform from
IM Motors, another prominent Chinese electric vehicle brand. Volkswagen will
lead the development of Model C, an electric SUV built upon the innovative CEA
platform, a collaborative effort between Xpeng and Volkswagen. All three models
are expected to be launched under the Volkswagen brand, rather than a separate
sub-brand.
According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), SAIC-Volkswagen achieved remarkable sales figures in the first eleven months of 2024, delivering approximately 1.049 million vehicles. In November alone, sales surged to around 123,000 units, marking a 6.27% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This strong performance translated to a 5.1% market share, solidifying SAIC-Volkswagen's position as the seventh-largest player in China's retail car sales market.
