Volkswagen (VW) will introduce clean-energy car to China, said Klaus-Dieter Schadewald, COO of Volkswagen Import Co., to autosina.net on November, 15.
Unveiled and offering services during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, VW clean-energy cars and commercial vehicles have quite appealed to Chinese consumers. Schadewald said VW joint ventures in China have already got such clean-energy models, while it still needs time for VW to introduce such vehicles as the automaker must weigh the China’s government policy on this matter seriously. It is easier for VW to introduce natural gas hybrid cars, but the automaker needs to make sure a satisfied supply on natural gas filling station in cities.

As for diesel cars, VW has planned to introduce models to China since its diesel car models sold well in global markets, but the German auto giant still has to wait the related policy on new energy cars to be issued by China’s government. “If the policy admits, we’re sure to bring our models as soon as possible,” Schadewald confirmed.

Speaking of the impact of global economic downturn on VW sales in China, Schadewald said the company now is going very well as the financial crisis haven’t hit the Chinese market badly judging from the current situation. He expected that VW imported car sales will meet the target for the whole year, but the world auto industry will face tougher challenges next year even in the emerging China.

Schadewald was still confident that VW car imports will maintain growth in China. The Europe's largest car manufacturer will soon bring new models to the Chinese market such as the flagship model Scirocco, according to Schadewald.

By Kelly

(Gasgoo.com, Nov 17, 2008)