Export of Volkswagen’s Chinese Models
The Chinese automobile market often serves as a testing ground for global manufacturers, and Volkswagen is now taking this strategy abroad. Models initially developed in partnership with FAW for Chinese buyers will now be supplied to the Middle East. This step signifies a departure from the “In China, for China” strategy and indicates growing confidence that these cars can win customers in other regions as well.
First Models for Export
The first models that Volkswagen will export from China will be the Magotan and Sagitar sedans. These two models have much in common, although the Magotan is significantly longer and is based on the latest generation of the Volkswagen Passat sold in Europe. Sales of these models will begin in the Middle East in November. They might be sold under the names Passat and Jetta, although this has not yet been confirmed.
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Alongside these sedans, Volkswagen and FAW confirmed that models under the Jetta brand will also be exported at a later stage, with Central Asian countries being first on the list. Each export model has been modified to meet the requirements of foreign markets, although details on whether Chinese powertrains will be used remain undisclosed.
Expansion of the Jetta Brand
Volkswagen is not disclosing details of its plans, but at the end of August, the company confirmed that significant changes are coming for the Jetta brand. The manufacturer will introduce four new energy vehicles (NEVs) under the Chinese Jetta brand. All four models will be “oriented towards the entry-level market,” and besides electrified powertrains, they will feature advanced driver assistance systems.
The automaker believes that compact models will account for approximately half of China’s new energy vehicle market by 2030, with models priced up to 100,000 yuan ($14,000) expected to be the most popular. The first of the new electrified Jetta models will appear in 2026.
Electrifying the Jetta brand is not the company’s only plan. By 2030, the Group plans to launch approximately 50 new energy vehicles in China. Of these, 30 will be battery electric vehicles.
This move by Volkswagen may indicate a shift in global strategy, where China becomes not only a key sales market but also an important export hub. International trade conditions and the safety standards of different regions could influence the company’s future decisions on model adaptation. The success of these cars in new markets could determine future development directions for other manufacturers also considering export opportunities from China.