Across China: Volkswagen Anhui rolls out targeted strategy to meet booming Chinese NEV market
This photo taken on July 4, 2022 shows a workshop of the Volkswagen Anhui MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) plant under construction in east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)
HEFEI, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Noting that China is the world's largest new energy vehicle (NEV) market that cannot be neglected by international carmakers, Erwin Gabardi, CEO of Volkswagen Anhui said the company unwaveringly strives to implement its "In China, for China" development strategy.
Based in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, Volkswagen Anhui is Volkswagen Group's first joint venture in China that focuses on the research and development (R&D) and manufacturing of NEVs.
Covering an area of about 500,000 square meters, the Volkswagen Anhui MEB plant is about to complete construction after just over one year and the first pre-series car of Volkswagen Anhui is expected to roll off the production line shortly.
"The mass production of electric vehicles is scheduled for 2023," Gabardi told Xinhua in an interview, attributing the progress to the strong and consistent support from local partners.
Official data shows that China's NEV output and sales have ranked first globally for seven consecutive years since 2015.
"We are continuing to develop our R&D team, adjust our R&D strategy and innovate products exclusively for Chinese customers to suit the consumption preferences of the Chinese market," said Gabardi, adding that the local R&D at Volkswagen Anhui is the key to the Volkswagen Group's transformation and e-mobility strategy.
"Our local R&D mainly focuses on hardware and software development and testing for NEVs as well as the development of China-specific modules and platforms," Gabardi explained, adding that by 2023, the number of employees in Volkswagen Anhui is expected to surpass 3,500, of which 1,300 will be R&D engineers.
Over the years, a comprehensive local supply chain ecosystem has been built around Volkswagen Anhui.
Volkswagen Group has invested in a battery cell manufacturer and established a digital sales and services company in Hefei to promote the high-quality development of the province's NEV industry.
"Among Volkswagen Anhui's 260 production suppliers that are already on board, 16 are based in Anhui, while 37 suppliers have moved to Anhui with us and have made local investments," said Gabardi.
Inspired by Germany's vocational education system, the Dazhong College, co-built by Volkswagen Group China, Volkswagen Anhui, and Hefei University, has been launched, with the goal of cultivating more skilled talents suited to the needs of enterprises.
"Chinese and German companies share a common vision in many aspects. Volkswagen Anhui is an obvious example of such a constructive partnership," said Gabardi.
"We will share the pursuit of developing high-quality and advanced NEV products with Chinese partners, and combine each other's technological strengths to achieve 'In China, for China,'" he said. ■
Related articles
Four people killed in a house explosion in southwestern Missouri
GOODHOPE, Mo. (AP) — Four people in rural Missouri died when an explosion that could be heard 10 mil2024-05-21AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
April 19-25, 2024French police evict migrants from a makeshift camp in Paris ahead of the Olympics,2024-05-21Polish and Lithuanian leaders oversee military drills along their shared border
DIRMISKES, Lithuania (AP) — Polish President Andrzej Duda said Friday that “a potential aggressor mu2024-05-21Bevy of defensive playmakers are available in Round 2 of the NFL draft after historic offensive run
The unprecedented run on quarterbacks, wide receivers and pass protectors in the NFL draft ‘s openin2024-05-21Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co
A cruise worker on board an Italian ship 'murdered her newborn son' as horrified co-workers raised t2024-05-21New reporting requirements for life
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Doctors who perform life-saving abortions may soon be required to document whet2024-05-21
atest comment