Volkswagen to export China-developed tech

Volkswagen Group is seeking to turn its operations in China into a global development and export hub. It plans to introduce China-developed technologies to overseas markets and export at least 300,000 vehicles a year from the country by 2030.

The strategy marks an evolution from "In China, for China" to "In China, Beyond China", as the German automaker seeks to use its Chinese research and development capabilities not only to compete in the world's largest auto market but also to support its business internationally.

At its first Tech Day in China on Wednesday, the company revealed VEGA, a domestically developed technology stack that combines vehicle platforms, electronic architecture and advanced driver-assistance systems.

"China is a key innovation engine for the Volkswagen Group and increasingly a product and tech hub for our global markets," Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume said in a statement.

To date, the group has started exporting China-produced models, including Volkswagen and Jetta vehicles, to the Middle East, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and sub-Saharan Africa, with Mexico, Egypt and Vietnam set to follow by the end of 2026.

More markets across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, South America and Africa will be added in coming years, it said.

Beyond vehicle exports, South America will be the first region where Volkswagen plans to localize the Compact Main Platform and China Electronic Architecture by 2030.

The CMP and the CEA are two important pillars of the VEGA tech stack, with the Hyper Sense 8 advanced driver-assistance system as the third.

"This is what global collaboration looks like in practice: combining China's innovation capabilities, the strength of local ecosystems and the global scale of Volkswagen Group," said Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province, is central to that ambition. The city is emerging as Volkswagen's new Wolfsburg in the new energy vehicle era, with more than 3,000 employees at Volkswagen China Technology Company developing technologies and products for the group.

Established in 2023, the center is the German carmaker's largest research and development facility outside Germany.

Thomas Ulbrich, CEO of Volkswagen China Technology Company and CTO of Volkswagen Group China, said: "VEGA is the best testament to four years of strong efforts in our local R&D system."

The CMP platform is designed for compact battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, while the high-end CSP platform is intended for larger battery-electric and extended-range electric vehicles.

The CEA, developed in 18 months and supporting both electric and combustion-engine vehicles, enables major over-the-air software updates every three months.

Volkswagen said the CEA has been deployed in five China-produced electric models in 2026. In 2027, China-produced PHEV and ICE models will be equipped with the CEA.

The Hyper Sense 8 advanced driver-assistance system is the result of Carizon, Volkswagen's domestic intelligent-driving operation with China's Horizon.

The system will be fitted to seven new NEV models across the group's Chinese joint ventures, with more in the pipeline.

"Our ambition is clear: to build cars that fit 100 percent into the lives of Chinese customers," said Brandstaetter.

Volkswagen is preparing advances in software and intelligent driving. It aims to be ready for Level 3 automated-driving technology in 2027 and is developing a system-on-chip for Level 4 applications in China.

The company is expanding the range of products that can draw on these technologies. It plans to introduce 30 China-developed new energy vehicle models by the end of 2027 and more than 50 new products by 2030.