Double celebration for VW

Volkswagen executives and local officials celebrate the inauguration of the integrated test and engineering center in Dalian and the production of the 2 millionth engine. CHINA DAILY

German automaker Volkswagen AG's local joint venture with FAW Group Corp celebrated two milestones last week to further reinforce its leadership in the world's largest automobile market.

The venture, Volkswagen FAW Engine (Dalian) Co Ltd, inaugurated an integrated test and engineering center, while the 2 millionth engine rolled off the production line on Sept 24.

"Volkswagen Group is the most trusted partner of China's automotive industry," said Jochem Heizmann, member of the board of management for Volkswagen AG as well as president and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

"The opening of the integrated test and engineering center is our latest move to promote and foster local R&D and innovation capability in China. With this we underline our commitment to providing technologically leading and environmentally friendly products for the Chinese market," he said.

According to Heizmann, the launch of the center marked the transition of Volkswagen FAW Engine (Dalian), from a production plant into a comprehensive enterprise.

The center is expected to enhance the R&D capability of local technicians, who will analyze Volkswagen Group's most advanced engine products and improve product design and production quality.

Liu Yan, deputy mayor of Dalian, said he believed that the center would strengthen the region's sustainable development.

"The establishment of the center not only shows Volkswagen FAW Engine (Dalian)'s strong technological innovation capability, but also plays an exemplary role in driving local economic growth," said Liu.

"Since its establishment, Volkswagen FAW Engine (Dalian) has consistently expanded its production capacity, refined its production technology and produced more than 2 million high-quality engines, making an important contribution to the rapid development of the automobile industry," said Dong Chunbo, deputy general manager of FAW Group.

Volkswagen FAW Engine (Dalian) started operations in 2007 to manufacture Volkswagen's turbo-charged direct injection petrol engines. It is an important engine production base for the Volkswagen Group and has undergone several capacity expansions in the past seven years.

With the establishment of a Changchun branch in 2013, its planned annual capacity is expected to reach 750,000 units. By the end of May, both component sites had produced a total of 2 million engines.