Shanghai-VW preparing mega attack on Chinese market this year

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VW is breathing down GM’s neck in the Chinese market and could potentially unseat GM as China’s biggest car maker if they continue to expand their offerings in the Chinese market.

New Lavida: The Lavid has already proved to be a popular car since its launch, the model was developed independently by Shanghai-VW and is only available in the Chinese market, initial engines were 1.6L and 2.0L but the company later introduced a 1.4TSI model that was priced under the VW Golf that shared the same engine. Over at FAW-VW they designed a new Bora to rival the Lavida with similar specifications. SH-VW will launch a new facelift Lavida in the next six months according to media reports which should bring the new style VW corporate beak to the Lavida.

New Tiguan: The Tiguan has been a major hit for SH-VW since its launch in China over a year ago, now VW are readying to update the Chinese version with a minor facelift and with a smaller 1.4TSI engine

Santana NF: The Santana will be terminated in 2012 according to previous reports but a recent report in auto.sohu.com indicates that the NF version will be produced until 2020 and will average around 290-300,000 units per year (Or roughly one third of VW sales)

Polo Saloon: The Polo hatchback has just launched in the Chinese market and they are planning to follow up with the new saloon version in the next few months.

Polo GTI: The Polo GTI will be the ultimate hot hatch when it launches in China later this year, the Polo GTI will be followed by the Fabia VRS and is expected to be 140,000rmb to 170,000rmb when launched in the second half of 2012.

Skoda Yeti: The Skoda brand has been a hot commodity in China over the past few years although it has only three models under its dealership roof the brand has proved its worth in the Chinese models, the Yeti will be added initially as an imported model but will likely see local production in late 2012 or early 2013.