Volkswagen offers new era solutions with People's Mobility strategy

Volkswagen's model lineup is displayed at the Volkswagen Group Media Event in Beijing on Tuesday. Photos Provided to China Daily

German carmaker Volkswagen Group said it will invest 15 billion euros ($18.3 billion) by 2022 with its Chinese joint ventures in e-mobility, autonomous driving, digitalization and new mobility services as part of efforts to deliver solutions called People's Mobility.

"As the world's biggest automotive market, China plays a prominent role across all our brands. We are accelerating to make mobility cleaner, safer and more intelligent to really improve people's lives," Herbert Diess, chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Volkswagen AG.

Jochem Heizmann, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said: "Volkswagen is moved by people and aims to provide the best mobility solutions for people.

"As a pioneer of individual mobility in China for more than 30 years, People's Mobility is at the very core of Volks-wagen Group China and is behind our commitment to building a smart, sustainable future of individual mobility for our customers in China, together with our partners."

The company said future mobility will be determined by the electrification of cars to tighten pollution control, and the deployment of information technologies like artificial intelligence to advance comfort levels.

It said this will be complemented by smart traffic concepts to make cities more livable. These elements, along with autonomous driving, will help provide easy access to mobility for everyone.

According to Diess, the company will be starting the local production of battery-electric cars in at least six factories by 2021.

In the next seven to eight years, Volkswagen will offer 40 new energy vehicle models produced in China under the group's Roadmap E strategy, the world's most comprehensive electric vehicle offensive.

"Cells for our electric cars in China will - of course - come from China. The contracts with our first local supplier have been signed," Diess said.

Next steps

The company is also aiming to take People's Mobility to "the fourth dimension of mobility", which means the car will be a smart, self-moving device embedded in a digitalized ecosystem, Heizmann said.

"It's more than connecting cars. We want to connect people with people," he said.

That is why Volkswagen Group China has been forming partnerships in a range of key areas, such as artificial intelligence with Mobvoi and, through Mobility Asia and its brand ezia, smart mobility services.

With Shouqi Group, an auto service provider headquartered in Beijing, Volkswagen Group will expand into a car-sharing partnership and revolutionary last-mile mobility solution for everyone in every situation.

In cooperation with ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing, it is entering the first phase of a partnership by exploring mobility projects as well as smart city, autonomous driving and robo-taxi projects.

Volkswagen Group China said its joint ventures will play key roles in advancing People's Mobility.

FAW-Volkswagen is building an industry-leading intelligent network-connected ecosystem that will provide users with a safe, convenient and personalized experience.

It will identify customers' demands, and constantly optimize the end-user experience by integrating the digital system, so areas such as R&D, production, quality assurance, sales and after-sales will be networked.

SAIC Volkswagen in Shanghai is committed to delivering thoughtful, valuable and user-friendly products as well as innovative services, to meet ever-evolving consumer needs.

In addition to staying ahead in the traditional fuel-powered vehicle field, the joint venture is providing customers with new energy vehicle models and innovative services based on the mobile internet.

JAC Volkswagen in Anhui province is another example of how Volkswagen is providing customer-oriented e-mobility solutions based on innovative products and concepts.

The joint venture's new SOL brand will promote the development of China's new energy vehicle sector.

Its first product, SOL E20X, is a pure electric SUV aimed at the volume market in China and has a range of more than 300 kilometers. The car will provide features such as artificial intelligence and connectivity.

The joint venture has a clear roadmap that covers components, connectivity and big data services, electronic payment, and research and development, while a new agreement with Alibaba's Tmall online market will create an innovative retail model.

Exciting lineup

In addition to the JAC Volkswagen E20X, Volkswagen has showcased other nine cars that will be featured at Auto China 2018.

The new products highlight the company's commitment to continue exciting and satisfying its customers in China.

The Next Generation CC is FAW-Volkswagen's new flagship, bringing together dynamism, elegance and luxury.

The All New Lavida from SAIC Volkswagen combines the technology and design that Chinese consumers prefer.

The third-generation Volkswagen Touareg is an innovative SUV with a premium design, and is the first Volkswagen with a fully digital cockpit.

The Lamborghini SUV Urus creates a new niche in the luxury segment with benchmarking power, performance and driving dynamics, design, luxury and daily usability.

The new Bentley Bentayga V8 model fuses exquisite luxury with power, usability and extensive sporting ability. At its heart is a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine developing 550 PS and 770 Newton meters of torque.

The Kamiq applies the Skoda SUV design language. Similar to the Kodiaq and Karoq, the new SUV features a crystalline design that provides not only a rugged overall impression but also delicate details and high quality.

The Audi A8L signals the dawning of a new design era for the entire brand and delivers more than 40 driver assistance systems for more security and comfort.

The Volkswagen ID VIZZION, the flagship of the ID Family, features innovative, high-level electric mobility that is fully automatic and effortless.

The Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo features an emotional design with striking off-road elements as well as new display and control concepts with eye tracking, complemented by a high performance 800-volt battery with a short charging time.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/25/2018 page22)