VW will not increase China-bound exports in response to declining European sales

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai November 16) - Volkswagen will not be increasing exports to China in order to lessen inventory pressure at its European dealerships, xkb.com.cn reported today, citing statements made by Brand Management Director Paul Hu. Mr. Hu made the comments at the first Sports Car Champions Festival held at the Shanghai Circuit this past weekend.

There have been recent reports circulating throughout the media that VW will increase exports to China in order to take some pressure off its European dealerships, whose sales barely increased this year. However, Mr. Hu (pictured) denied these speculations. He explained that the manufacturer decides its production and sales plans a year in advance, and that without any such plans in place, there is no way that it will suddenly order an increase in exports. "China is not like a sponge that can take in water at any time," he commented. According to Mr. Hu, any notions to raise export volume would have to first take into consideration market conditions and product competitiveness.

In regards to VW's current export sales to China, Mr. Hu stated that the manufacturer has been able to sustain steady growth, which he attributes to rising sales in the western regions of the country. Sales of imported VWs in China from January to October were over 42 percent higher than they were a year ago. 57,000 VWs were exported to the country over the first three quarters of the year.

Finally, Mr. Hu revealed that there will not be a great deal of brand new models coming to the country in 2013 as there have been over the previous years. Instead, VW will bring over 15 limited and special edition models next year.