Volkswagen unveiled two new plug-in hybrid models and a sweeping five-year roadmap for China during the opening morning of Auto Guangzhou 2025, marking what executives described as the brand’s largest product offensive in the market to date.
The press event was led by Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand China, alongside senior executives from FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC-Volkswagen, each presenting their own development plans. While the automaker showcased the new Passat ePro from SAIC VW and the Tayron L PHEV from FAW VW, the broader focus centered on Volkswagen’s strategy for competing in China’s rapidly evolving landscape of intelligent and electrified vehicles.
Mecha acknowledged that Chinese consumers now expect more than Volkswagen’s traditional strengths in “German precision engineering” and reliability. The shift toward intelligent, connected mobility—with software-defined functions and advanced electrification—has moved to the forefront. Volkswagen, he said, must respond with faster product cycles, deeper tech partnerships, and a broader NEV portfolio.
Two PHEVs Debut from FAW VW and SAIC VW
The Passat ePro and Tayron L PHEV both feature a plug-in hybrid system built around a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine designed for hybrid applications, paired with a high-voltage battery and electric motor. The Passat ePro uses Volkswagen’s EA211 1.5T EVO II high-efficiency hybrid powerplant. Neither joint venture disclosed combined range or all-electric range figures.
SAIC Volkswagen said the “e” in ePro stands for “electric-driven experience,” “evolution,” and “elegance,” suggesting a greater emphasis on performance and efficiency through improved integration of gasoline and electric power. Both models will incorporate Volkswagen’s latest intelligent features, though technical specifications were not provided.
While the new PHEVs expand each joint venture’s product line, their competitiveness against similarly priced Chinese NEVs will depend heavily on intelligence levels, performance and pricing. For Volkswagen, the two models served primarily as a prelude to the larger strategic initiatives presented.
A Push for Intelligence Across ICE, HEV and EV
Wu Yingkai, General Manager of FAW-Volkswagen Sales Co., said Volkswagen aims to develop advanced intelligence across internal-combustion, hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles, pursuing “intelligence without energy-type barriers.” The company is leaning more deeply into China’s tech ecosystem as global OEMs increasingly turn to cross-border collaboration to keep pace.
Mecha announced that the brand will launch 21 new NEVs in China by 2027 and 31 by 2029—its largest NEV rollout ever. FAW-Volkswagen plans 17 new products by 2026, including 14 NEVs.
SAIC-Volkswagen introduced a new product line, ID.ERA, and confirmed multiple new models for 2026. It also previewed its first 9-Series flagship SUV, which the company said will set benchmarks in intelligent driving assistance, smart cockpit design and energy performance. Early public experience sessions for the 9-Series are already underway, signaling that development is entering final stages.
Joint-Venture Milestones and the Road Ahead
The announcements come as FAW-Volkswagen surpasses 30 million cumulative sales and SAIC-Volkswagen approaches 26 million. The upcoming 9-Series flagship is expected to serve as an early test of how Volkswagen’s long-standing joint-venture model adapts to China’s new era of intelligent electrification.
