Volkswagen is charging ahead with its ambitious China strategy, unveiling three cutting-edge electric concept vehicles at this year’s Auto Shanghai, one of the world’s largest and most influential automotive exhibitions. The brand showcased its vision for the future during the Volkswagen Group Night, offering a glimpse into its new China-specific design language and rapid development process.
The three concept vehicles — an electric notchback from FAW-Volkswagen, a B-segment SUV with extended range technology (EREV) by SAIC VOLKSWAGEN, and an all-electric SUV from Volkswagen Anhui — embody the company’s new “China DNA.” These models are not just technologically advanced and smartly connected, but also tailored specifically to the preferences and lifestyles of Chinese consumers.
“These vehicles are proof that our ‘In China, for China’ strategy is working,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. “We’re aligning with local market needs faster than ever — cutting development times by more than 30 percent — and partnering strongly to build electric vehicles that resonate with Chinese customers. Our goal remains clear: to be the leading international automaker in China, even in the era of intelligent connected vehicles.”
Volkswagen announced that production models based on the showcased concepts will begin launching from 2026 onward. All three vehicles fall under the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) category, which includes all-electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extender models. Volkswagen plans to introduce more than 20 NEV models in China by 2027.
Head Designer Andreas Mindt added, “We’ve reimagined our core design values of stability, likability, and our unique ‘secret sauce’ to create a new design philosophy for China. These concepts reflect our heritage and the evolving expectations of the next generation of drivers.”
The Auto Shanghai exhibition, scheduled from April 23 to May 2, is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. The first two days will be reserved for media, with the remaining days open to the public. Over 1,000 exhibitors from 17 countries showcased their innovations in the previous edition, and this year promises to be even more dynamic as automakers race toward electrification and intelligent mobility.
Volkswagen’s bold display signals a firm commitment to innovation and localized development as it seeks to strengthen its footprint in the world’s largest automotive market.
