Volkswagen has unveiled a new version of its China-only Lavida saloon with ambitions of maintaining its stronghold at the top of the country's new car market.
The outgoing Lavida was the best selling three-box model in China last year, with 450,000 registrations. It represented one in seven cars sold by Volkswagen in China.
The four-door model, which is smaller than the Volkswagen Passat and Volkswagen Jetta, is built in China via Volkswagen’s joint venture with SAIC and uses MQB underpinnings.
On show in Beijing, its design mixes familiar Volkswagen lines with market-specific features, such as a chrome strip across the nose.
Volkswagen launches new electric car brand in China
The Lavida is being shown alongside the new CC – China’s version of the Volkswagen Arteon – as well as the new Touareg, which was recently revealed in Beijing ahead of the show.
China is Volkswagen’s biggest market; 3.2 million of its cars were sold there last year, almost double the number the brand achieved in Europe. As such, much of Volkswagen’s investment is now focused on China.
It will launch 12 China-only SUV models by 2020 and 10 electric models by 2023, with the intention to sell around 650,000 electric cars in the country annually by 2025.
Volkswagen is also showing the recently revealed ID Vizzion electric saloon concept at the Beijing motor show.
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