Cars

Golf GTI: First sports car made in China by a global brand

By Gong Zhengzheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-15 13:10

Guangzhou: Powered by the country's steady growth and a record-breaking auto market last year, German carmaker Volkswagen Group expects China's vehicle sales to climb 15 to 20 percent in 2010.

"About two months ago, I predicted the market would grow 10 to 15 percent. Now my forecast is 15 to 20 percent following the market trend," Winfried Vahland, president of Volkswagen Group China, said in an interview last week as the company's joint venture with FAW Group launched the Golf GTI in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou.

Vahland said China's GDP is expected to grow 8 to 9 percent this year from 2009.

"Nobody has doubts that China will continue to be a big engine for the world's economy," he said.

Vehicle sales surged by 83.78 percent to 2.88 million units in the first two months from a relatively weak base a year ago, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Vahland didn't disclose how many vehicles Volkswagen plans to sell in China this year. In 2009, the group moved more than 1.4 million cars to maintain its almost three decades of market leadership in China.

The carmaker plans to introduce seven new models in China this year. The Golf GTI is the first, he said.

The sports car, retailing at 235,800 yuan ($34,540), is equipped with a 2.0-liter TSI engine and DSG gearbox. With a maximum torque of 280Nm/1700-5000rpm, it accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 235km/h.

The launch of the Golf GTI makes Volkswagen the first global carmaker to produce a sports car in China.

"(Sales) volume is not important for the Golf GTI. The important thing is that we can do this (produce sports cars) in China," Vahland said, adding that 80 percent of parts for the locally made Golf GTI are sourced in China.

He said he believes the sports model will eventually account for 10 percent of all Golf sales in China. Last year, Volkswagen launched its sixth-generation Golf at the joint venture with FAW in northeastern city of Changchun.

"The Golf GTI is a car of emotion and targets young buyers between the ages of 25 and 30," he said.

An Tiecheng, president of the joint venture, or FAW Volkswagen, said the launch of the Golf, representing a milestone for the partnership, creates a new niche segment in China's car market.

The joint venture also produces Volkswagen Jetta, Bora, Sagitar and Magotan as well as Audi A6 and A4.