Autobauer: Markt unter Druck – Volkswagen ändert China-Strategie
Volkswagen will China verstärkt als Exportstandort nutzen. Das hat auch mit der Marktentwicklung in der Volksrepublik zu tun. Die Wolfsburger blicken vor allem auf die Südhalbkugel.
Hefei, China - Volkswagen is adjusting its strategy in the Chinese automotive market due to its weakness and increasing competition from other countries abroad, the company revealed in Hefei, eastern China. Instead of the previous motto "In China, for China," Volkswagen is now targeting markets beyond China, as announced during an automotive exhibition in China in April.
The company plans to serve more markets in Southeast Asia, southern Africa, and South America through its joint ventures in China. Volkswagen has already been exporting cars from China to countries like the Middle East, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The strong competition and pricing pressure from Chinese brands, coupled with the weak automotive market in China, are making it challenging for the automaker.
Recent data from China's Passenger Car Production Association for the first nine months of the year shows a 21.7% decline in sales, with Volkswagen's sales dropping by 38.5% to 405,800 vehicles. This significant decline accounted for over 80% of the overall downturn. Volkswagen's strategy change aims to not only withstand competition from Chinese rivals but also to serve new countries with its products.
"China exports competition pressure," a Volkswagen source explained. The company hopes that exporting European products will be more successful, as replicating the same strategy in China would be difficult.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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