On November 24, Volkswagen China stated on its official Weibo that Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Volkswagen China Technology") will develop the group's first electric vehicle platform for the Chinese market within three years, enriching the group's The product portfolio in the entry-level market。

It is reported that the above platform is derived from Volkswagen's modular electrification tool (MEB) platform, which is the existing pure electric platform used by Volkswagen since 2019.。From 2026, the Group will use this platform as a basis to develop pure electric models specifically tailored to the needs of Chinese customers.。The suppliers of the new platform will be mainly Chinese suppliers.。

The electric vehicle platform will land in Hefei。The reason for the push to land an electric vehicle platform in China is that Volkswagen now urgently needs to reduce costs and increase efficiency to keep its cars competitive.。

Volkswagen is trying to expand its product range in China, especially to attract customers in the entry-level and mid-level electric vehicle fields, but its current product prices are higher than many Chinese pure electric competitors, which has led to poor sales of Volkswagen's electric vehicles。Volkswagen's best-selling electric car ID for all of 2022.3 Cumulative sales only 2.40,000 vehicles, which is not as good as the sales of many young new energy vehicle brands.。

Volkswagen ID.3 in China, the price is in the range of 10-20 million yuan, the competition is fierce。For consumers, the same price, than the public ID.There are many better looking and smarter cars。And with ID.3 performance is close, there are many lower than its price。This has created an embarrassing situation, that is, Volkswagen, as an old car brand, its electric cars have almost "disappeared" in the Chinese market.。

Ralf Brandstaetter, managing director of Volkswagen Group's China business, also admitted in an interview that China is a "very price-sensitive" market and Volkswagen needs to optimize costs.。

Volkswagen hopes to use more local components to reduce costs with the above-mentioned electric vehicle platform。Officials mentioned that the platform will use battery, electric drive and motor solutions for the Chinese market to ensure efficiency and rapid market entry.。"The high degree of localization makes the product more focused on the needs of Chinese customers.。"

Brandstaetter said: "When (electric car) sales rise... we have to be profitable to be sustainable.。Therefore, we need to promote the development of technology, speed and cost efficiency.。"

And one of the main players in the commitment to cost reduction and efficiency is Volkswagen China Technology.。According to the official introduction, Volkswagen China Technology, as the largest R & D center of the Volkswagen Group outside its headquarters in Germany, will focus on the research and development of smart connected cars, and is committed to reducing the market cycle of cars and parts products by 30% through efficient product development processes and the application of cutting-edge technologies.。

In addition, Volkswagen China Technology has other tasks, including coordinating procurement to get suppliers involved as early as possible, and linking Volkswagen's three joint ventures in China to development projects at SAIC, FAW and JAC.。

Brandstaetter said: "As the Group advances the development of an electric vehicle platform for the entry-level market in China, we will undertake more important development work 'in China, for China'.。We will bring the new platform to market within 36 months, meaning its development cycle will be shortened by approximately one-third, while allowing us to rapidly develop a new customer base in the dynamic Chinese electric vehicle market.。"

Brandstaetter also revealed that the company plans to develop four models priced between RMB 140,000 and RMB 170,000 on the new platform。He added that the cars would be produced by a joint venture between Volkswagen and SAIC and FAW.。