FAW-Volkswagen plans to build two CMP-based electric cars in Tianjin from 2027
It is not yet known exactly which models FAW-Volkswagen intends to build at the plant in Tianjin. According to CarNewsChina, however, models will be available in both fully electric and plug-in hybrid versions. The new vehicles could include the production version of the ID. AURA, which VW presented at the Shanghai motor show in April. The model is to be the starting signal for FAW-Volkswagen’s new strategy, as was announced at the trade fair.
On the one hand, the ID. AURA is an electric notchback sedan “particularly aimed at customers in the price-sensitive A-segment.” On the other hand, there will be no shortage of forward-looking technologies: There is talk of a smartphone-like UI/UX concept. “The AI-based humanoid assistant enables seamless control of vehicle functions and infotainment,” Volkswagen said at the time.
VW’s business in China, long the Group’s most important sales market, has been faltering for some time: New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) from domestic production, i.e. electric cars, plug-in hybrids and vehicles with range extenders, are booming in China today. The Chinese supplier BYD has now replaced VW as the top-selling car manufacturer in China.
VW is now racing to catch up and announced at the Shanghai Motor Show in April that it intends to launch 30 new vehicles in China by 2027. In addition to the aforementioned ID. AURA, which was presented jointly with FAW, the Group also showcased the ID. ERA from SAIC-Volkswagen and the ID. EVO from Volkswagen Anhui, the former JAC-Volkswagen. According to VW, these three concept vehicles are representative of a new generation of smart electric vehicles. VW subsidiary Audi also presented the AUDI E5 Sportback, the first vehicle of a new subsidiary that does not use Audi’s typical four rings as a logo.
The announcement now made by FAW-Volkswagen is one of the many details still to be finalised regarding the master plan. Unfortunately, the joint venture is extremely sparse with information: The press release merely states that, in accordance with a cooperation agreement, two New Energy Vehicles based on the Volkswagen Group’s new CMP platform will go into production at the FAW-Volkswagen plant in Tianjin in 2027. “
The plant in Tianjin, which opened in 2018, has a capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year. But it will not stop at two new models from Tianjin: In April, FAW-Volkswagen announced plans to launch a total of eleven new models on the market from 2026, ten of which will be new energy vehicles and one conventional combustion vehicle.
2 Comments