Volkswagen and Audi enter strategic cooperations with XPeng and SAIC in China

2 August 2023, 07:01:07

Volkswagen and Audi enter strategic cooperations with XPeng and SAIC in ChinaThe Volkswagen Group is strengthening its position on the Chinese automotive market with cooperations between the VW brand and XPENG and between Audi and SAIC. The Group is thus forging ahead with its local electrification strategy. The aim is to swiftly tap into new customer and market segments, thereby systematically leveraging the potential of China’s dynamically growing e-mobility market.

The VW brand has concluded a technological framework agreement with XPENG. The initial stage of the cooperation shall provide for the joint development of two VW brand electric models for the mid-size segment in the Chinese market. The China-specific vehicles will supplement the MEB product portfolio and are to be rolled out in 2026 in China. This is subject to the conclusion of final agreements.

As part of the close and long-term strategic cooperation, the Volkswagen Group is to invest approximately US$700 million in the Chinese manufacturer of intelligent electric cars. Volkswagen is thus acquiring 4.99 percent stake in XPENG at US$15 per ADS by way of a capital increase, and will hold a seat as an observer on the XPENG board of directors. The share issuance will be subject to customary closing conditions including applicable regulatory approvals.

Audi has signed a strategic memorandum with its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC to further expand existing cooperation. Joint development activities are to extend the portfolio of fully connected electric vehicles on offer in the premium segment swiftly and efficiently. It is planned to start with electric models in a segment where Audi does not as yet have a presence in China.

The jointly developed e-models are to be equipped with state-of-the-art software and hardware, in order to offer Chinese customers an intuitive, connected digital experience. All parties are contributing their respective core competences to the development effort.

Both agreements also envisage a planned, future joint development of new local platforms for the next generation of intelligent, fully connected vehicles (ICV). The partnerships aim to swiftly expand the Group’s product range with further models from China for China in particularly promising customer and market segments. The details of cooperation on future e-platforms are the subject of further negotiations between the partners.

Related news

News related to Volkswagen, Audi, XPeng or SAIC

Volkswagen ID. AURA, ID. ERA, and ID. EVO are three new concept BEVs unveiled at Auto Shanghai

Volkswagen and its three Chinese joint venture partners has unveiled three concept BEVs at the 2025 Auto Shanghai this week. The ID. AURA (from FAW-Volkswagen), the ID. ERA (from SAIC VOLKSWAGEN) and the ID. EVO (from Volkswagen Anhui) are representative of a new generation of smart electric vehicles and give a preview of the product strategy for the coming years. Volkswagen has also integrated the needs of Chinese...

24 April 2025

AUDI E5 Sportback and Audi A6L e-tron debut at 2025 Auto Shanghai

At the 2025 Auto Shanghai, Audi is showcasing a lineup of 19 models made by Audi and its two local partners, FAW and SAIC. Five of those made their world debut at the show and two of them are all-electric. AUDI E5 Sportback The first production model from the new sister brand AUDI, the E5 Sportback, was developed together with partner SAIC – integrating the "best of both worlds." The fully electric mid-size...

24 April 2025

Volkswagen previews the ID.EVERY1 - its cheapest EV so far

Volkswagen previewed the ID.EVERY1 - the concept car for an electric 20,000-euro Volkswagen from Europe for Europe. The ID. 2all will already be launched in the 25,000-euro class in 2026. Both models are part of the new Electric Urban Car Family with front-wheel drive, which is being developed on a cross-brand basis under the umbrella of the Brand Group Core – comprising the volume brands in the Volkswagen Group...

5 March 2025

Audi Q4 40 e-tron with a range of up to 423 km goes official

Audi Q4 40 e-tron debuted this week as an entry-level variant in the Q4 e-tron series and can be pre-ordered starting mid-February. It arrives with a 63 kWh (gross) battery which provides up to 412 km of range on the Audi Q4 40 e-tron and up to 423 km on the Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron. Under ideal conditions, the battery’s state of charge (SoC) increases from 10 to 80 percent in just 24 minutes when charged at a...

13 February 2025

Volkswagen teased an entry-level EV that will cost around 20000 euros

At today's work meeting in Wolfsburg, Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, presented plans for the future of the core brand. Employees also had a first glimpse of the design of the Volkswagen brand’s future entry-level electric model, which will cost about 20000 euros. Volkswagen plans to present the show car for the new entry-level model to the public at the beginning of March. The world...

6 February 2025

2025 Volkswagen ID.4 pricing for the U.S. unveiled

Volkswagen of America announced initial pricing for the 2025 ID.4. Production resumes at the Chattanooga factory with 82 kWh models, which carry a starting MSRP of $45,095 for the rear-wheel-drive Pro and $48,995 for the AWD Pro. Models with 62 kWh batteries will be available later, and all models will receive additional content starting midyear. Details and pricing on both will come at a later date. The trim...

5 February 2025

Audi A6 e-tron - new attractively priced entry-level models are introduced

The Audi A6 e-tron family is expanding with an entry-level variant with rear-wheel drive and a more affordable variant with quattro drive. The new drive variants are now available to order. The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron costs 62,800 euros, and the Audi A6 Avant e-tron - 64,450 euros. The price for the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron quattro is 79,800 euros, and for the Audi A6 Avant e-tron quattro 81,450 euros. At its world...

29 October 2024

All-new Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and SQ6 Sportback e-tron are unveiled

Audi is further expanding its electric model portfolio with the debut of Q6 Sportback e-tron models, offering a more progressive and dynamic silhouette and greater emphasis on design-oriented aesthetics. The Q6 Sportback e-tron quattro and SQ6 Sportback e-tron benefit from the strength of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture in terms of performance, range, efficiency, and charging, and are yet another...

16 October 2024

Audi Q6 e-tron USA pricing unveiled

Audi of America released full pricing and specifications for the all-new 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron model line and announced an additional range-leading rear-wheel-drive (RWD) entry will join its line-up before the end of the year. With today's announcement, Audi will offer 11 distinct battery electric vehicles across its four e-tron model lines at the close of 2024; Q4 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, Q8 e-tron, and e-tron GT. The...

27 September 2024

The SAIC MAXUS eTerron 9 electric truck made its European debut with 605 km of range

The SAIC MAXUS eTerron 9 has become the world's first medium-to-large Chinese brand pure electric pickup truck exported overseas and it is also the first mass-produced pure electric pickup in Europe. It made its European debut at the Hannover Motor Show in Germany. The SAIC MAXUS eTerron 9 is the first 4x4 four-wheel drive pickup truck built on a dedicated electric platform in Europe, with a four-wheel drive range...

26 September 2024

The Audi Q8 e-tron model series now has an even sportier appearance

The new model year brings a brand-new exterior package option for the Audi Q8 SUV e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron. The S line competition exterior package enhances the electric luxury models’ dynamics and emphasizes the Q8 family’s sporty character. The package includes specific body components such as a widened body (similar to the S model), a body-color Singleframe, and exclusive 21-inch five-spoke black wheels...

5 August 2024

Audi A6 e-tron goes official as the second model on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE)

As the second model on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the Audi A6 e-tron continues PPE's familiar product strengths of performance, range, efficiency, and charging. The model is available as an Audi A6 Sportback e-tron and Audi A6 Avant e-tron and impresses with its outstanding range and strong driving dynamics. It stands for progressive, expressive design and brings a new interior architecture tailored to the...

2 August 2024

Audi Q4 35 e-tron - an attractive entry into electric mobility

Audi is adding an interesting entry-level variant to the Q4 e-tron series: the multifaceted Audi Q4 35 e-tron1 costs 45,600 euros, and the Sportback2 with an elegant rear is 47,600 euros. The all-electric premium model includes comprehensive equipment as standard, offers a range of up to 355 kilometers (Sportback: 365 kilometers), and a DC charging capacity of 145 kW. New in the Q4 e-tron: an integrated app store...

18 July 2024

Volkswagen expands ID. family in China: premiere of the ID. UNYX with progressive design and 3D avatar

As part of its ‘In China, for China’ strategy, the Volkswagen brand is focusing its product offering to more closely reflect the needs of its Chinese customers. Today, the car manufacturer presents the first model from a new Volkswagen sub-brand: the ID. UNYX. The E-SUV coupé of the same name is characterised by a particularly progressive design, a smart human-machine interface (HMI) with a personalizable 3D avatar...

18 July 2024

EV Specifications

Complete specifications of EVs, grouped according to their brand and year

AudiBMWBytonCadillacChevroletDaciae.GOFIATFiskerFordGenesisGMCHondaHyundaiJaguarKIALexusLucidMazdaMercedes-BenzMGMININIONissanOpelPeugeotPolestarPorscheRenaultRivianSEATŠKODAsmartSubaruTeslaToyotaVolkswagenVolvoXiaomi

Featured

Specifications of some of the most interesting and anticipated EVs.

2025 Xiaomi YU7 Max

2025 Xiaomi YU7 Max AWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 196.8 in / 4999 mm
Width: 78.6 in / 1996 mm
Height: 63.3 in / 1608 mm
Curb weight: 5423.37 lb / 2460 kg
Electric motor #1: 295 kW, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 220 kW, Location: Front
Battery: 101.7 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2025 Xiaomi YU7 Pro

2025 Xiaomi YU7 Pro AWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 196.8 in / 4999 mm
Width: 78.6 in / 1996 mm
Height: 63.3 in / 1608 mm
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 96.3 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2025 Xiaomi YU7

2025 Xiaomi YU7 RWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 196.8 in / 4999 mm
Width: 78.6 in / 1996 mm
Height: 63.3 in / 1608 mm
Curb weight: 4717.89 lb / 2140 kg
Electric motor: 235 kW, 528 Nm, Location: Rear
Battery: 96.3 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2025 Xiaomi SU7 Ultra

2025 Xiaomi SU7 Ultra AWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 199.6 in / 5070 mm
Width: 77.6 in / 1970 mm
Height: 57.7 in / 1465 mm
Electric motor #1: 850 kW, 1270 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 288 kW, 500 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 93.7 kWh

2024 Xiaomi SU7 Pro

2024 Xiaomi SU7 Pro RWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 196.7 in / 4997 mm
Width: 77.3 in / 1963 mm
Height: 57.3 in / 1455 mm
Curb weight: 4365.15 lb / 1980 kg
Electric motor: 220 kW, 400 Nm, Location: Rear
Battery: 94.3 kWh

2025 Tesla Model Y

2025 Tesla Model Y Standard Range RWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5 / 7
Length: 188.6 in / 4790 mm
Width: 75.6 in / 1920 mm
Height: 63.9 in / 1624 mm
Curb weight: 4250.51 lb / 1928 kg
Electric motor: 220 kW @ 5000 rpm, 440 Nm, Location: Rear
Battery: 62.5 kWh, Voltage: 345 V

2025 Tesla Model Y

2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5 / 7
Length: 188.6 in / 4790 mm
Width: 75.6 in / 1920 mm
Height: 63.9 in / 1624 mm
Curb weight: 4190.99 lb / 1901 kg
Electric motor: 220 kW @ 5000 rpm, 410 Nm, Location: Rear
Battery: 78.4 kWh, Voltage: 345 V

2025 Tesla Model Y

2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5 / 7
Length: 188.6 in / 4790 mm
Width: 75.6 in / 1920 mm
Height: 63.9 in / 1624 mm
Curb weight: 4396.02 lb / 1994 kg
Electric motor #1: 194 kW @ 5000 rpm, 340 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 137 kW @ 6380 rpm, 219 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 78.4 kWh, Voltage: 345 V

2024 Porsche Macan

2024 Porsche Macan 4

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 188.3 in / 4784 mm
Width: 76.3 in / 1938 mm
Height: 63.9 in / 1622 mm
Curb weight: 5302.12 lb / 2405 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 100 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2024 Porsche Macan

2024 Porsche Macan Turbo

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 188.3 in / 4784 mm
Width: 76.3 in / 1938 mm
Height: 63.8 in / 1621 mm
Curb weight: 5302.12 lb / 2405 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 100 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2024 Xiaomi SU7

2024 Xiaomi SU7 RWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 196.7 in / 4997 mm
Width: 77.3 in / 1963 mm
Height: 57.3 in / 1455 mm
Curb weight: 4365.15 lb / 1980 kg
Electric motor: 220 kW, 400 Nm, Location: Rear
Battery: 73.6 kWh

2024 Xiaomi SU7 Max

2024 Xiaomi SU7 Max AWD

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 196.7 in / 4997 mm
Width: 77.3 in / 1963 mm
Height: 56.7 in / 1440 mm
Curb weight: 4861.19 lb / 2205 kg
Electric motor #1: 275 kW, 500 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 220 kW, 338 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 101 kWh, Voltage: 871 V

2024 Volkswagen ID.7

2024 Volkswagen ID.7 Pro

Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 195.3 in / 4961 mm
Height: 60.5 in / 1536 mm
Curb weight: 4788.44 lb / 2172 kg
Electric motor: 210 kW, 550 Nm, Location: Rear
Battery: 77 kWh

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Luxury 2

Doors: 5, Seats: 7
Length: 224.3 in / 5697 mm
Height: 76.1 in / 1934 mm
Electric motor: 505 kW, 1064 Nm, Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 200 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport 2

Doors: 5, Seats: 7
Length: 224.3 in / 5697 mm
Height: 76.1 in / 1934 mm
Electric motor: 505 kW, 1064 Nm, Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 200 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Luxury 1

Doors: 5, Seats: 7
Length: 224.3 in / 5697 mm
Height: 76.1 in / 1934 mm
Electric motor: 505 kW, 1064 Nm, Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 200 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Sport 1

Doors: 5, Seats: 7
Length: 224.3 in / 5697 mm
Height: 76.1 in / 1934 mm
Electric motor: 505 kW, 1064 Nm, Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 200 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2025 Volvo EX30

2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance (EK)

Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 166.7 in / 4233 mm
Width: 76.4 in / 1940 mm
Height: 61.0 in / 1549 mm
Curb weight: 4034.46 lb / 1830 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 69 kWh