July 18, 2007 - Volkswagen AG and Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW) sign a joint declaration of cooperative development for a new car model. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg and Hubertus Lemke from VW sign the declaration with Chen Zhixin and Oeljeklaus from SVW. Also present at the signing ceremony are: SAIC Chairman Hu Maoyuan, SAIC Motor President Chen Hong, and Prof. Dr. Winterkorn, Dr. Heizman, De Silva and Dr. Vahland from VW. 

As the declaration expresses, the two parties plan to cooperate in developing a new car for the North American and Chinese markets. The car will be based on a new B-platform and served as a successor to the PASSAT LINGYU model. SVW research and development shall be integrated step-by-step in the worldwide development network of Volkswagen.

SVW will develop the vehicle body, including major elements of the exterior and interior of the new car. The parties will make maximum use of SVW’s test facilities, proving grounds, its prototype construction as well as parts and tools’ trial manufacturing capabilities.
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For the first time with this project, SVW will be involved in the development of a new vehicle intended for both Chinese and global markets. The company invested about 3 Billion RMB to build up its development capabilities since starting business in 1984. The company has so far built up a technical development force composed of over 1,200 engineers and technical staff.