Volkswagen and Chevrolet debut a range of updated car models ahead of Guangzhou Autoshow

Record ID: 78697

  • Title: Volkswagen and Chevrolet debut a range of updated car models ahead of Guangzhou Autoshow
  • Date: 17th November 2016
  • Summary: GUANGZHOU, CHINA (NOVEMBER 17, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VOLKSWAGEN I.D. ELECTRIC CAR ON STAGE AT NEWS CONFERENCE GUESTS AND REPORTERS TAKING PHOTOS
  • Embargoed: 2nd December 2016 17:20
  • Keywords: VW Didi talks high-end car-hailing service China autoshow General Motors
  • Location: GUANGZHOU, CHINA
  • City: GUANGZHOU, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Company News Markets,Economic Events
  • Reuters ID: LVA00158U0LU5
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Volkswagen and Chevrolet kicked off China's Guangzhou autoshow debuting a range of car models boosting their China product line-up.
    The all-electric Volkswagen concept car was showcased for the first time in China on Thursday (November 17). Volkswagen says the I.D electric hatchback will spearhead the company's investment into more electric vehicles.
    Volkswagen aims to boost new energy vehicle sales in China to 400,000 units a year by 2020, the automaker's China chief Jochem Heizmann said, as Beijing pushes automakers to sell low-emissions cars via incentives and friendly regulations.
    It aims to eventually sell 1.5 million new energy vehicles annually by 2025.
    "China is by far the fastest developing country in E-mobility and this is the basis of our NEV offensive, with very strong intensive investment program and product program which we are developing for China," Heizmann said at a news conference ahead of the Guangzhou auto show, which opens on Friday (November 18).
    Overall sales of new energy vehicles in China more than quadrupled last year with rapid growth continuing in 2016.
    Volkswagen Group also announced a partnership with China's ride-hailing company, Didi Chuxing, the latest in a rush of tie-ups between automakers and technology firms seeking to profit from new ride services.
    "This is a very first, very important part of mobility developing in China and our intention is to be in every relevant mobility service area in China," Heizmann said.
    Didi Chuxing is China's largest ride-hailing company, with 300 million users across more than 400 cities in China. It cemented its dominance in the domestic market earlier this year, when it bought Uber's operations in the country.
    Chevrolet also introduced a new-generation product line-up for the country including the sleak sixth-generation Camaro RS, and the popular global SUV, Equinox and Trax.
    Hong Kong music singer G.E.M made an appearance at the General Motors news conference. She rolled on stage in the latest Cruze Hatchback RS model, one of the "Sporty RS Trim" updates aimed at bringing "American sportiness and technology" to the world's largest automobile market.
    The Guangzhou Autoshow starts on Friday (November 18) and ends on the 27th of November.
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