Volkswagen Group to build new transmission plant in China

The Volkswagen Group is expanding its production network in China with a new transmission plant in Tianjin. Here, foundation stone ceremony was attended by Dr. Philipp Rosler, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, He Lifeng, Deputy Party Secretary of Tianjin,
and Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft and responsible for the newly-established Group function of 'China'.

The plant in Tianjin is designed for an annual production capacity of 450,000 units. Over 1,500 new jobs are to be created at the new site. Investment in the first stage of the plant totals approx. €230-million. Production is scheduled to begin at the end of 2014. Tianjin is one of the largest cities in China and is located some 150 kilometers east of Beijing.

"Our new transmission plant is further confirmation of the inseparable bond between China and Volkswagen. Tianjin will become a cornerstone of our Chinese production network and a driving force for the economy in the entire region," Heizmann said in Tianjin. Volkswagen is basing construction of the Tianjin plant on highest technical standards and focuses on the resource efficiency and environmental compatibility of production plant and methods.

Volkswagen will also be joining up with the best local vocational schools to set up a competence center for tooling technology in Tianjin to train teachers with a view to meeting demand for technically trained and specialised skilled employees in the medium term. This project includes the introduction of a dual vocational training program modeled on the German system.

The People's Republic of China is the largest sales market for the Volkswagen Group. In 2011, the company delivered 2.26-million vehicles to customers in the country. In the first seven months of this year, deliveries rose by 17.1 per cent to 1.51-million units.

Posted in: Asia Pacific,Assembly/Manufacturing Plant,China,Dr. Philipp Rosler,He Lifeng,International,Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann,Tianjin,Tianjin Transmission Plant,Volkswagen,Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft