Special Supplement: VW's Lavida brings Chinese design to life

It's not only a long-awaited new product from Shanghai Volkswagen Co Ltd, but more significantly, it's the first Volkswagen-branded vehicle designed by Chinese, made in China and tailored for China's market.

The Lavida sedan, which means life and hope in Spanish, also realizes the joint venture's hope to further strengthen its foothold in China's fiercely competitive auto market.

"The global premiere of Lavida in Beijing shows our commitment to Chinese consumers," said Frank Brustmann, vice-president and executive director of Volkswagen Brand, SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Co Ltd.