Volkswagen said had successfully launched its Jetta sub-brand in China (it was once a nameplate for the saloon variant of the Golf) with the VS5 SUV and VA3 sedan, selling nearly 30,000 vehicles since September.
“This makes the Jetta launch the most successful recent brand introduction in China,” the automaker claimed.
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Almost 80% of deliveries were SUVs. The brand targets young Chinese customers.
“The entry-level segment has so far been served almost exclusively by Chinese brands. The Jetta brand closes the gap between the entry level segment and the volume segment, at the top end of which the Volkswagen brand is positioned,” said VW sales chief Juergen Stackmann.
“We see tremendous potential there, and the flying start of Jetta proves us right.”
About one third of all passenger cars in China are currently sold in the entry-level segment. Within this segment, around 80% of customers buy their first car.
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By GlobalDataFirst time buyers in China are on average 20 years younger than in Europe or America. In the entry-level segment they spend the equivalent of EUR8,000 to EUR15,000.
Jetta is positioned independently in the market, but with a recognisable proximity to VW.
Innovative sales concepts such as highly digitised showrooms complete the brand experience.
A second SUV will follow in the near future. All models are produced by FAW-Volkswagen in Chengdu, working closely with FAW-VW’s central hub in Changchun.
With a share of almost half of worldwide deliveries, China is Volkswagen’s largest single market and the automaker expects 3m sales there this year.
