Volkswagen will emphasize environmentally friendly technology in its showcase of 31 cars at the Beijing Auto Show opening today.
The company’s theme this year is “Think Blue”, which highlights its trademark BlueMotion fuel-efficient technology.
Before the event opened, China Daily reporter Gong Zhengzheng sat down with Ulrich Hackenberg, a member of the company’s management board for research and development.
He talked about topics related to the company’s theme for the exhibition, such as its strategies for environmental protection, BlueMotion technology, all-electric vehicles and the Modular Transverse Toolkit, or MQB.
Q: Volkswagen Group has raised the bar for environmental protection and has set new sustainability targets. How will you realize the ambitious plan?
A: The company aims to achieve a 30 percent reduction in the carbon emissions of its new vehicles in Europe from 2006 to 2015.
This means the emissions of its cars will drop below 120 gram per kilometer for the first time in 2015, and every new generation will be 10 percent to 15 percent more efficient on average than its predecessor.
The group will spend more than two-thirds of its entire 62.4-billion-euro ($81 billion) investment program for the next five years to improve drivetrain technology, increase energy efficiency and develop new environmentally sound production methods at its plants all over the world.
Q: What are Volkswagen’s investment plans for China?
A: Volkswagen will invest 14 billion euros ($18.2 billion) in China before 2016. These funds will be mainly used to upgrade drivetrain technologies, develop locally made eco-friendly models and construct new plants in the cities of Foshan, Yizheng and Ningbo.
Q: FAW-VW started local production of the Golf BlueMotion in February. Are any other models to follow?
A: BlueMotion editions of the new models of the Sagitar, Magotan and Passat will also be produced in the country.
Q: How do BlueMotion models compare to electric vehicles?
A: BlueMotion is the low-carbon solution with the most practical significance. The technology cuts back on the excessively high costs that put many current new-energy vehicles out of the price range of Chinese consumers.
Technologies like the company’s start-stop and energy-recuperation systems increase the car’s fuel efficiency in an urban environment and reduce emissions.
BlueMotion is one of the world’s most successful fuel efficiency and energy conservation solutions, which represents Volkswagen’s outstanding strength and level of development.
Q: It is said that MQB is a revolution of production. How is that so?
A: The MQB allows the company to produce a wide variety of models using the same modular toolbox.
This MQB gives the company flexibility to implement efficient alternative drivetrain technologies across all brands and segments.
Based on the MQB, the company’s new eco-friendly technologies will be standard in all new models over the coming years.
By adjusting the size of the wheelbase, the wheel center distance as well as the front and rear overhangs, the MQB can be used to manufacture the small Polo as well as the mid-sized Passat.
The next generation of Golf models will be based on the MQB.
There is no doubt that MQB can not only cut costs dramatically but also improve production flexibility.
The large-scale application of MQB will promote the modularization of both productions and plants.
A great variety of vehicles can be manufactured in the same plant, which enables a very fast response to changes in the market. That was impossible in the past.
Q: Does MQB mean new opportunities for Volkswagen?
A: The MQB strategy ensures Volkswagen has the capacity to mass produce cars for the general public as well as develop limited-edition models for niche markets.
It allows Volkswagen to deliver high quality at a low cost while still tailoring its products to the different requirements of various markets, be they in Europe, China, the United States or in emerging markets, such as India.
The relatively lower costs can put our models in a comfortable position to meet individual demands in the market.
It means bigger diversification, more innovation and more care in terms of our customers.
Q: Will the new plant under construction produce the MQB?
A: In recent years, the group has sped up construction of new plants in China. All new plants have been equipped with the MQB, meaning that locally produced models based on this technology will be released in the next few years.
Q: Volkswagen Group has termed 2013 as the “Year of Electric Cars”. Can you share more information about that?
A: Next year, Volkswagen will launch the pure electric e-up!. Afterward, several brands under the group will also launch their own pure electric or hybrid-power models.
The group has dedicated considerable financial resources, manpower and energy to developing electric vehicles and electric technologies.
In the Chinese market, we are joining hands with our joint ventures to develop electric car technologies. The main structure of the electric motor comes from Europe, and we are bringing it to China.
The other parts in the main structure, such as the battery pack, are provided by local suppliers.
Q: What’s your pricing strategy for electric cars?
A: For the Chinese market, it is vital to make electric cars affordable for consumers.
Volkswagen has faith in its capacity to develop electric vehicles. The company’s commitment to making reasonably priced electric cars will contribute to the country’s sustainable development.
Volkswagen will become more environmentally friendly, and its technological strength will have a profound impact on trends toward environmental protection in the automotive industry.
