Volkswagen has unveiled three new electric vehicles (EVs) in China last week, all battery powered versions of existing mainstream passenger cars models produced at its two main joint ventures in the country.
The e-Lavida, e-Bora and e-Golf, were unveiled at an event in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong province, and will help the German automaker meet China’s mandatory minimum quotas for new energy vehicles which went into effect at the beginning of the year.
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Stephan Woellenstein, CEO of Volkswagen China’s passenger car brand, told local reporters: “Our ambition is clear – we want to be the number one NEV brand in China. All our EV models are well designed and engineered with high functionality and ease of use, making them reliable, safe and durable.”
The Lavida is a popular model in China with more than 4m sold to date by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture. The new model keeps the large interior space and functionality of the existing Lavida model, according to the automaker.
The joint venture also plans to launch plug-in hybrid/electric versions of the Passat and Tiguan L shortly, also to be built at its dedicated NEV plant which was completed in 2018.
Volkswagen’s other main joint venture in China, FAW-Volkswagen, is also rolling out a new range of NEVs starting with the recent launch of battery powered versions of the mainstay Golf and Bora passenger car models which the company describes as comfortable, practical and spacious, and not compromising on power and performance. They will be followed later this year by plug-in hybrid/electric models such as the Magotan GTE and Tayron GTE.
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By GlobalDataOverall, Volkswagen plans to introduce 10 NEV models in China by 2020 with total NEV output expected to reach 300,000 units next year.
