Volkswagen, SEAT, JAC Motors further confirm SEAT’s market entry into China

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- JAC Motors, Volkswagen Group China and SEAT on May 27 signed an agreement which further confirms the Spanish brand’s aim to enter the Chinese market in the coming two to three years.

Left to right, SEAT President Luca de Meo, Volkswagen Group CEO Dr. Herbert Diess, Volkswagen Group China CEO Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, Anhui province Governor Li Jinbin and JAC Chairman An Jin (Photo source: Volkswagen Group)

Besides, an all-new R&D center in Hefei jointly built by three parties is currently under construction and is expected to start operation in 2021, according to Volkswagen.

The new joint R&D center is designed to lay a foundation for the development of future mobility solutions for the China's market. It also provides resources for the co-development of battery vehicles and components. Through integrating resources from all parties, the new facility is going to develop smaller electric vehicles and auto parts, and research automobile technologies.

"In the world's largest market for electric mobility, the close cooperation between SEAT and JAC will allow us to create synergies, which will significantly increase our market coverage. Notably, the smaller electric cars segment is growing rapidly and offers a lot of potential,” said Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SEAT.

Apart from the next steps for the JAC Volkswagen joint venture and SEAT, another agreement was signed on the same day to focus on future mobility solutions.

Mobility Asia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, struck a strategic cooperation framework deal with Volkswagen Group China, JAC Motors and Hefei Provincial Government for a "smart city" program to be built in the capital of Anhui Province. 

The new program will render Volkswagen the opportunity to test new technologies, business modes and products in a connected smart city. Three companies will pool their resources and cooperate on autonomous mobility services, such as robotaxis and autonomous fleet management. Moreover, the smart city partnership also involves areas like ride hailing and car sharing.