CEO of Volkswagen China: openness and competition drives innovation and future

At this year’s Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference, it was announced that China would expand its opening up and would lift restrictions on foreign ownership in the auto sector. Inevitably, Volkswagen will face more challenges from international auto companies. But as Prof. Heizmann said, “This is the absolute right policy, to open up to fair competition. Competition drives the future; competition drives innovation. In this context of further opening up, ending some restrictions, having the same international standards for every company in China, I'm absolutely convinced that this helps a lot for the further development of the economy here and for the wealthy development of the company, and it helps bring more employment.”

In the future, how will Volkswagen Group China lead the Chinese market? According to Prof. Heizmann, today’s key topics are the development of e-mobility, digital, connectivity, AI-based technology and the direction of autonomous driving, and these things are developing really fast in China. “We are part of that. We have to be part of this transformation process and are preparing the future in all of these areas.”

To this end, Volkswagen is working together with partners in China such as the big three (Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu) and local startups. For instance, in the field of AI-based digitalization services, Volkswagen has joined hands with Mobvoi to set up a joint venture that focuses on “Internet plus Automobile”; in the car sharing business, it has invested in GoFun under Shou Qi Group to offer customers more mobility services and options.

At present, Volkswagen Group China is in a transformation process from a car manufacturer to a people-centered provider of sustainable mobility. “That means saving the environment is our top priority. This is not only pushing new energy vehicles but also changing the behavior of our people. We have interesting programs to teach young people and children how to protect the environment. We are very proud to do that and play, as we did in the last 35 years, a responsible role here in the society of China.”

(Prof. Heizmann’s wishes for China’s reform and opening up)

Story by Wu Qiong