On the 10th, at Audi FAW New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. in Changchun, Jilin Province, Audi officially launched the pure electric sedan Audi A6L e-tron for the Chinese market. The Audi Q6L e-tron family also debuted with updates on the same day, accelerating the brand's electrification strategy. Audi FAW New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. is Audi's first production base in China dedicated exclusively to manufacturing pure electric vehicles. The A6L e-tron is the second strategic model produced and launched by this facility, following the Q6L e-tron. The introduction of this model is expected to strengthen the German brand's competitiveness in the Chinese market.
Audi represents just one example of foreign automakers accelerating their electrification plans. By the end of 2025, following the delivery of the CEA architecture jointly developed by Volkswagen Group China, CARIAD China, and XPeng Motors, the first Volkswagen brand model based on this platform, the "ID.与众07," will begin production at the Volkswagen Anhui factory. In March of this year, the first model co-developed by German automaker Volkswagen and its partner XPeng, the与众08 (ID. UNYX 08), rolled off the production line.
Toyota has established a pure electric Lexus R&D company in China, creating an independent local research system. Nissan has allocated an additional 10 billion yuan for electrification research and development and has transferred product development leadership to its Chinese team. Furthermore, foreign-invested automotive component suppliers in China are also accelerating innovation. Bosch plans to invest over 2.5 billion euros in artificial intelligence research and development by the end of 2027, with its automotive-related business primarily focused on China and Europe.
Currently, the Chinese automotive market is rapidly transitioning towards new energy and intelligent technologies. Sino-foreign joint venture automakers, which serve as crucial pillars for foreign automakers in China, are accelerating their strategic layouts to explore new growth opportunities.
Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers indicates that in 2025, both automobile production and sales in China exceeded 34 million units, setting a new historical record. New energy vehicle production and sales both surpassed 16 million units, with NEVs accounting for over 50% of new car sales domestically.
Bi Wenquan, Executive Deputy General Manager of FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., stated that in response to challenges, Sino-foreign joint ventures are basing their strategies on long-term development, proactively innovating in areas such as product portfolio, R&D models, and partnership pathways.
In terms of technological collaboration, joint ventures are actively partnering with Chinese tech firms to accelerate intelligent upgrades and localize supply chain integration. Regarding product design, these enterprises commonly adopt a strategy of "stabilizing the foundation with internal combustion engine vehicles while expanding market share with new energy vehicles."
In R&D approaches, joint ventures are deepening localization efforts, moving beyond sole reliance on technology transfers from overseas headquarters. Dong Changzheng, Senior Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of Toyota Motor China Investment Co., Ltd., mentioned that to better suit the Chinese market, Toyota is promoting "structural reform," integrating advanced Chinese technological platforms to meet global standards while aligning with Chinese market pricing.
"The Chinese market is a hotbed for automotive technological innovation, and we are fully confident in our development here," said Liu Yunfeng, Executive Vice President of Volkswagen China. He added that joint venture automakers are cultivating the Chinese market with a more localized approach, which not only secures their own growth opportunities but also continuously injects open vitality into the high-quality development of China's automotive industry.
China's automotive foreign trade has demonstrated strong resilience. CAAM data shows that China exported over 7 million vehicles in 2025, including 2.615 million new energy vehicles. Joint venture automakers have also recognized the importance of exports, aiming to build a "second growth curve."
It is reported that FAW Group is currently accelerating the expansion of its joint venture brands' overseas export business to develop new profit growth points. The company has defined export strategies for the three major brands of FAW-Volkswagen in collaboration with Volkswagen Group and Audi AG. Simultaneously, in new model development, efforts are being made to gradually improve the previous model of "pure technology introduction," focusing instead on cooperation in advanced technology fields and promoting "reverse technology feeding."
"Adhering to a long-term perspective, we will work together to strengthen the strategic resolve for deep cultivation in the Chinese market, maintain confidence in 'investing assuredly and for the long term,' and encourage foreign-funded and joint venture enterprises to strive to be 'long-distance runners' in the Chinese market," said Qiu Xiandong, Chairman of China FAW Group Co., Ltd.
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