Volkswagen’s Jetta brand plans to roll out five new models by 2028, including four New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), with the first expected in 2026 at a starting price of under €12,000, according to German publication Manager Magazin.
Jetta, established in 2019 as part of Volkswagen’s joint venture with FAW, targets the Chinese market with affordable vehicles distinct from the company’s VW-branded lineup. While the brand has so far lacked electric models, its electrification strategy is accelerating following a March announcement of 11 new NEVs, including six battery electric vehicles (BEVs), two plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and two extended-range EVs (EREVs).
In Chengdu this week, Volkswagen Group China, FAW, and the Chengdu Economic and Technological Development Zone signed the “Jetta Business Development Cooperation Agreement” to create a new subsidiary and expand their cooperation. The upcoming EVs, to be built in Chengdu, will also be sold in other Asian markets.
Citing insiders, Manager Magazin reported that once the new NEVs are fully launched, Jetta’s annual sales could rise to between 250,000 and 300,000 units, up from around 60,000 vehicles sold in China by the end of July.
The first Jetta EV is expected to be unveiled at Auto China in April 2026 and offered for less than 100,000 yuan (around €12,000). Volkswagen currently does not compete in this low-cost EV segment in China.
Ralf Brandstätter, head of Volkswagen China, has previously said that local development and production, combined with the Compact Main Platform (CMP) and partnerships with domestic suppliers, should help reduce costs by 40% and cut development time by 30%. According to Manager Magazin, corresponding VW-branded models based on the same platform are expected in 2026 but will cost about €4,000 more.
Analysts said the strategy is aimed at boosting Volkswagen’s lagging EV sales in China, where affordable pricing and strong connectivity features are increasingly key to consumer demand.
