Volkswagen Unveils China-Exclusive Electric Models

The Volkswagen Group's first vehicles, which were developed exclusively in China for Chinese customers and will soon be launched on the market, celebrated their debut in Shanghai. According to Ralf Brandstätter, member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG for China, the company has switched to "delivery mode".

This is urgently necessary, as a look at the market development in the Far East shows: For the first time since 2012, Volkswagen's deliveries in China shrank by ten percent in 2024, falling below the three million car mark. At the beginning of the year, the Group recorded a sales decline of seven percent in the region to around 644,000 vehicles. The decline was particularly strong for electric cars (-37 percent).

Production versions with AI-supported systems

On Tuesday evening Chinese time, the company presented the VW models ID. Aura, ID. Era, and ID. Evo to the public for the first time. They belong to the group of New Energy Vehicles, or NEV for short. In China, this category includes not only fully electric vehicles but also models with plug-in hybrid and range extender drives.

“The three concept vehicles are the visible result of our 'In China, for China' strategy. With this, we have created all the prerequisites to remain the leading international car manufacturer in China,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. All production versions of the concept vehicles presented in Shanghai will be equipped with AI-supported systems for highly automated driving. The vehicles will be able to drive up to level 2++ automation as early as next year.

“In the next three years, we will launch over 20 state-of-the-art NEVs with pioneering technologies to meet the diverse customer demands in China,” predicts Stefan Mecha, Head of the Volkswagen brand in China. “With our new development centre in Hefei, we have picked up China-speed. Our goal is a maximum development time of 34 months,” adds Thomas Ulbrich, CEO of the Volkswagen China Technology Center.

ID. Era, ID. Evo and ID. Aura at a glance

The ID. Era from SAIC Volkswagen, a full-size SUV with three rows of seats, offers a preview of the first VW model with a range extender. A fuel-powered generator charges the battery while driving, providing an additional range of more than 700 kilometres. Together with the 300-km range in battery mode, the concept vehicle thus covers more than 1,000 kilometres.

The ID. Evo from Volkswagen Anhui is the first all-electric full-size SUV in Volkswagen's ID. Unyx family and is based on an 800-volt platform. The concept vehicle is equipped with a zonal electronic architecture that not only enables a variety of new digital services but is also intended to continuously enhance the user experience with over-the-air updates at short intervals. The target group is young drivers.

The ID. Aura from FAW-Volkswagen is the first concept vehicle based on the Compact Main Platform (CMP) with zonal electronic architecture, designed by Volkswagen specifically for China. According to the company, the system for highly automated driving applied on this platform sets new standards for intelligent driving behaviour with its AI-supported high computing power. The electric notchback concept is particularly aimed at customers in the price-sensitive A-segment. A smartphone-like UI/UX concept is embedded in the vehicle's centre console. The AI-based humanoid assistant is intended to enable seamless control of vehicle functions and infotainment.

Catching up in autonomous driving

The company already sees itself in a leading role in the era of intelligent, fully connected vehicles. On the eve of the trade fair, it presented its AI-supported, highly automated driving system for China. According to Volkswagen, it offers highly precise, safety-oriented driving functions that cover both highway and urban traffic scenarios. It was developed by Carizon, the joint venture between VW's software subsidiary Cariad and the Chinese AI chip provider Horizon Robotics. The results of the collaboration, which according to Carizon CEO Marcus Hafkemeyer involved over 500 software experts, are intended to set the company on the path towards Level 3 in the Far East.

Local development, production and infrastructure

The three NEV concept studies focusing on digital functions and intelligent ADAS are intended to emphasise Volkswagen's new China strategy This applies not only to technology and design but especially to the significantly accelerated development time, which according to VW has been reduced by more than 30 percent. “We have everything it takes to be successful,” emphasises VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer, “faster development times, strong partners, a mature local development, production and infrastructure, as well as the right products and innovations for our Chinese customers.”

Furthermore, the Ducati Multistrada V4 S made its debut on the Chinese mainland. There was a reunion at the request of many Chinese sports car fans with the Porsche 911 GT3, which is being offered again in China. Additionally, the Lamborghini Temerario and the Ducati Panigale V4 S were presented.

Overall, the brands of the Volkswagen Group are presenting over 50 models in the eastern Chinese metropolis, covering all market segments. Among them are the new Audi Q5L exterior design and the third model of the Porsche Heritage Design Strategy. Furthermore, Porsche is expanding its product range in China with the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring and two other new models not named by the group. Anyone who wants to see one of these models – or plenty of other vehicles – at the show still has a week to do so. On 2 May, Auto Shanghai 2025 will close its doors.

This article was first published at automotiveit.eu

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