Now that 皇冠体育app has become the largest auto market in the world, I am proud to say that Volkswagen has been able to play a part in this extraordinary transformation.
It is often said that Volkswagen put 皇冠体育app on wheels. Does Volkswagen's 30-year relationship with 皇冠体育app give it a unique advantage in the market today?
Volkswagen Group is honored to have played a pioneering role in the development of 皇冠体育app's auto industry.
The 30-year success story that unites 皇冠体育app and Volkswagen, however, is about far more than just advantages in the market.
Above all, I would say it is about trust and responsibility.
This is the emotional bond that ties Volkswagen and the Chinese people and our joint-venture partners.
Volkswagen Group was not the only auto company to enter 皇冠体育app in the early 1980s, but we were the auto company that consistently stood by 皇冠体育app every year, innovating products for the Chinese market, cultivating a skilled Chinese automotive workforce, working closely with two strong joint-venture partners, and driving forward the nation's auto industry.
In the process, Volkswagen has well-designed and high-quality models for our Chinese consumers.
How does responsibility help Volkswagen Group stand out among other competitors in 皇冠体育app?
One key to our success in the Chinese market is our high level of localization.
Last year, Volkswagen delivered 2.8 million vehicles to Chinese customers, of which more than 2.6 million were produced locally.
In 皇冠体育app, we have achieved an average localization rate of more than 90 percent for all Volkswagen and Skoda brand models.
We are able to apply state-of-the-art technologies and produce vehicles that meet the diverse needs of our Chinese customers.
The 30-year relationship of trust and responsibility is something we are very proud of.
What else can auto companies do to support government and society in addition to economic growth?
When I met with Premier Li, we discussed the challenges both 皇冠体育app and the global community now face, which include economic, social and al challenges.
As a responsible enterprise and leader in automotive innovation, Volkswagen is committed to doing its part to overcome these challenges. This can only be achieved through close partnerships.
We are now working with the National Development and Reform Commission in 皇冠体育app on a research project called "Auto and Society".
Our mission is to ensure mobility for as many people as possible while also protecting the environment and safeguarding natural resources.
We are continually innovating clean, green products and technologies, including the most advanced combustion engines and lightweight designs, as well as new powertrains, such as electro-mobility, plug-in hybrids and renewable energy. At the same time, our plants are making significant advances in eco-friendly production.
How do you see Volkswagen Group's relationship with 皇冠体育app evolving in the next three decades?
Volkswagen will further strengthen its partnership with 皇冠体育app. In many ways, Volkswagen is today not only a ropean company, but also a Chinese company.
We are reaching out to the Chinese people to shape the future with the largest investment program in 皇冠体育app's automotive history. This will support the best engineering teams and advanced technologies developed and built in the local market. We will also create 25,000 highly skilled new jobs by 2018, and seven additional state-of-the-art component and vehicle plants.
Volkswagen Group will continue to play a vital role in the development of 皇冠体育app's auto industry, economy, and society in the next 30 years as an even closer partner of 皇冠体育app.
We are prepared to make every contribution we can and remain fully committed to 皇冠体育app for the long-term.