Volkswagen AG’s joint venture with SAIC Motor will end production of the current version of the Santana, koda’s Rapid and Tharu sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) at its plant in the eastern city of Yizheng.
see photosVolkswagen said more than 6 million have been delivered to Chinese customers over the years.
Volkswagen plans to stop making Santana cars in China, bidding farewell to its first Chinese-made model after more than three decades, which became a symbol of the country’s growing middle class and boosted the German carmaker’s popularity. helped in
Volkswagen AG’s joint venture Santana with SAIC Motor will end production of Skoda’s Rapid and Tharu sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) at its plant in the eastern city of Yizheng, government documents have revealed.
That plant is the main factory responsible for manufacturing Santana in China and has a capacity to manufacture 224,400 units annually.
Volkswagen did not comment directly on its plans for the Santana, but said in a statement to Reuters that consumer tastes have shifted from sedans to SUVs.
“Customer preferences are gradually shifting from notchback ICE (internal combustion engine) models to BEV (battery electric vehicle) and SUV models,” the company said.
Volkswagen sold 3.85 million vehicles in China last year
Production of the Santana began in China in 1985, and Volkswagen is said to have delivered more than 6 million to Chinese customers over the years. It was unclear whether Volkswagen would continue to make the Santana in other markets.
The affordable sedan – which became a status symbol as China’s economy boomed in the 1990s – has been credited with helping Volkswagen break into the Chinese market and reach the top ranks of foreign automakers in terms of sales .
Volkswagen sold 3.85 million vehicles in China last year, ahead of foreign manufacturer General Motors Co. in second place, thanks to a focus on more popular and profitable SUV models.
Competition in the family car market has intensified with the entry of more international rivals and Chinese firms, putting pressure on some established foreign manufacturers.
In the first 10 months of this year, SAIC-Volkswagen sold 970,438 vehicles, down 18% from a year ago. Companies such as Hyundai Motor, Renault and Suzuki Motor have closed plants, exited joint ventures or left the Chinese market altogether.
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According to the document, instead of Santanas and Rapids, the Yizeng plant will be offering facelifts to the T-Cross and Tharu SUV, Polo hatchback and Lamando sedan. These arrangements will be completed in 2023. Volkswagen has other joint ventures with the FAW Group and JAC. All enterprises are building new plants for electric vehicles.
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