FAW-VW sub brand to be called “Kai Li”, to focus on pure EV’s

Volkswagen have been long term skeptics on the electric car and plugin hybrids, partly because they were pioneers behind clean diesel technology and wanted their tech to become the standard for other manufacturers to follow, not so in China where dirty diesel is solely the realm of commercial vehicles and those patient enough to wait for hours at a time in highway service stops besides gigantic trucks waiting for a tank of diesel.

The Chinese government has other ideas, they see electric cars as a way of creating energy independence and taking the risk out of sending tankers filled with gasoline on a dangerous journey from the Middle East to the Middle Kingdom, especially as most of the countries along the route are not exactly friendly to China (see the American allied Gulf States, India and Vietnam). The future is looking likely to be an electric one in the Chinese market especially as Chinese auto makers and infrastructure manufacturers are betting big on the industry, VW is being forced into the electric car business if they are to retain their leadership in the worlds biggest car market, and they are planning to do it with a sub brand with their partners, First Automobile Works.

First Automobile Works (FAW) was one of China’s first State Owned Companies, it partnered with VW to produce the Audi range in the Chinese market and then later again with VW to produce certain models. VW also has a joint venture with Shanghai Auto Industry Corp (SAIC), but seeing as SAIC is already working with GM to produce the Baojun sub brand VW has been forced to work with FAW on their new sub brand, which is to be called Kai Li in Chinese, the English name is still as of yet unknown. Where as other sub brands from foreign auto makers in China are focusing on recycling their old technology for a profit, VW and FAW are planning to turn the Kai Li brand into China’s first pure electric car brand.

The first model at Kai Li has not yet been announced, but it could be the VW Bora which we have already seen on China Car Times, or possibly even an electric VW Golf.

FrankF

Frank entered the automotive industry via his father's instructions. He grew up with cars around him, especially as his father was a major auto restorer, Frank's childhood was spent passing beers, tools and coffee to his father whilst he explained the ins and outs of engines. Frank now works in the Chinese car industry at a specific manufacturer.