As reported in a press release on April 17, the Volkswagen Group is enhancing its local technology capabilities in China as part of its "In China, for China" strategy. At Auto Shanghai, Volkswagen will unveil its first AI-powered, highly automated driving system specifically designed for China's traffic conditions. This system is self-learning and engineered for safety and seamless driving, featuring a system-on-chip (SoC) that offers high computing power for rapid response to various driving scenarios.

A Volkswagen-brand model with this technology will be introduced in China by the end of 2025, and from 2026, the technology will be integrated into models based on the China-specific Compact Main Platform (CMP) to cater to price-sensitive compact segment customers.

Volkswagen has established a joint venture called Carizon with Horizon Robotics in November 2023, focusing on advanced automated driving systems. Over the last 18 months, more than 500 software experts across Beijing and Shanghai have accelerated the development of new advanced driver assistance system technology.

Marcus Hafkemeyer, CEO of Carizon, highlighted the swift development of the ADAS system due to the integration of AI and local expertise. The system, featuring Level 2+ ADAS, will be introduced in 2025, with Level 2++ ADAS and Urban Navigate on Autopilot (NoA) set for 2026, paving the way for Level 3 advancements.

At Auto Shanghai 2025, Volkswagen will showcase a new generation of smart electric vehicles from Audi and Volkswagen, developed exclusively for the Chinese market. The company plans to launch over 20 fully electric and electrified models by 2027, with about 30 fully electric models expected by 2030 as part of its transformation strategy.

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