CIIE creates innumerable opportunities for multinationals

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the China International Import Expo. The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) launched the "My CIIE Stories" activity on June 1 to invite people who were involved in previous editions of the CIIE to share their stories. They have received a large number of responses so far. This supplement will publish the excellent works of "My CIIE Stories" in succession. Let's follow the words written by the authors and look back on their wonderful moments.

I first came to China in 2013 as a senior executive at FAW-Volkswagen Automotive. During the seven years I was here, I oversaw the construction and operation of many production bases in cities such as Tianjin and Qingdao.

Audi has been in China for more than 30 years and has grown in popularity among Chinese consumers.

The past editions of the China International Import Expo have also played a key role in enhancing our popularity recently.

At the first CIIE in 2018, Audi debuted its first fully electric car, the e-tron, marking the beginning of the company's electric transition in China.

The Audi e-tron appeared at the second CIIE again and entered the Chinese market in November 2019. During the third edition, three more cars from the e-tron family were showcased. Audi's Changchun plant manufactured the first locally produced e-tron that same year.

In 2021, the Audi RS e-tron GT and the Grand Sphere concept car were displayed at the fourth CIIE, demonstrating Audi's commitment to sustainable growth.

The company also sold a combined 7 million cars in China that year, becoming the first luxury car brand to reach that figure.

The CIIE showcases China's numerous advantages, which include a huge market, an advanced manufacturing industry, efficient logistics, cutting-edge intelligent and digital technologies, a great business environment, and favorable opening-up policies.

I believe China is key to Audi's long-term success and that the expo is the perfect platform for us to better understand China, seize business opportunities in the country and find new growth momentum.

Audi will attend this year's CIIE for the fifth consecutive time and this event is a high priority on my agenda.

I hope to open a new chapter in our company's development through the trade fair.

In the future, Audi will increase investment in research and development in the country as well as focus on sectors including electrification, digitalization, intelligence and sustainability.

We're focusing our efforts in these sectors to provide Chinese customers with high-quality and personalized products.

To this end, we laid a cornerstone for an Audi FAW new energy vehicle production base in June in Changchun, Jilin province, Audi's first plant in China dedicated to producing electric cars.

The author had been working at Volkswagen Group since 2004 until he was appointed president of Audi China on Jan 1.