Top auto firms go green at Beijing show

BEIJING - Major auto manufacturers displayed their confidence in the development of green cars in the world's biggest auto market by exhibiting 95 alternative-energy autos among the 990 models at the Beijing auto show, which opened on Friday.

Europe's largest automaker Volkswagen launched an electric vehicle strategy tailored to the China market at the show, promising to start local production of electric vehicles in China between 2013 and 2014.

"As China becomes Volkswagen's most important market around the world, achievement in the electric vehicle segment in China is key to the success of our global electric vehicle strategic vision which we kicked off this March," said Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen.