SHANGHAI, China — Shanghai Volkswagen said it will launch a new compact sedan in China this year, starting with a debut at the Beijing auto show in April. The company's intent is to broaden its product mix and tap the growing demand in the world's second-largest auto market.
Known internally as Model Y, the vehicle is to be named Lavida, which means "life" (la vida) in Spanish. It will be a brand-new model specially designed for the Chinese market under VW's global product strategy and will be sized between the Polo and the Santana.
The Lavida "will be the prototype for our next-generation model in the economy-car sector and will also be the benchmark in the rapidly expanding segment," the company said.
Shanghai Volkswagen is a joint venture between German carmaker Volkswagen AG and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), which is also partnered in a separate venture with General Motors.
The Lavida is designed to appeal to young people and families. Prices will start at less than $18,000.
What this means to you: Look for SVW to add more unique, made-for-China models to its domestic portfolios. — Vivian Jin, Correspondent
Known internally as Model Y, the vehicle is to be named Lavida, which means "life" (la vida) in Spanish. It will be a brand-new model specially designed for the Chinese market under VW's global product strategy and will be sized between the Polo and the Santana.
The Lavida "will be the prototype for our next-generation model in the economy-car sector and will also be the benchmark in the rapidly expanding segment," the company said.
Shanghai Volkswagen is a joint venture between German carmaker Volkswagen AG and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), which is also partnered in a separate venture with General Motors.
The Lavida is designed to appeal to young people and families. Prices will start at less than $18,000.
What this means to you: Look for SVW to add more unique, made-for-China models to its domestic portfolios. — Vivian Jin, Correspondent
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