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Volkswagen brand CEO says exporting from China to Europe 'doesn't make sense' for now - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Volkswagen brand CEO says exporting from China to Europe 'doesn't make sense' for now

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 13, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 13, 2026

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Volkswagen CEO: Exporting Cars from China to Europe Not Feasible Currently

Volkswagen's Position on Exporting Cars from China to Europe

Current Export Strategy

BERLIN, May 13 (Reuters) - Exporting cars from China to Europe does not make sense for Volkswagen currently because of the group's strong presence in the region but it is a possibility, the head of the auto group's core brands told an FT conference on Wednesday.

Volkswagen's Regional Strength

"At the moment, it doesn't make sense because we have a fantastic setup here with multiple brands and operations," Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schaefer said, while adding that Volkswagen could if it wanted to.

Potential Partnerships and Future Opportunities

Asked whether Chinese partners would be interested in partnering with Volkswagen to use excess plant capacity in Germany, Schaefer said, "I don't have anybody knocking on the door."

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Rachel More; editing by Matthias Williams)

Key Takeaways

  • Schäfer emphasizes VW’s robust European manufacturing infrastructure makes China exports unnecessary at present.
  • While exporting from China to Europe is possible, it’s not strategically prioritized now.
  • No interest has emerged from Chinese partners to utilize underused European plants, underscoring limited appetite for such collaboration currently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Volkswagen not exporting cars from China to Europe?
Volkswagen sees no need to export from China to Europe due to its strong presence and established operations in the region.
Could Volkswagen export cars from China in the future?
Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schaefer said it is a possibility in the future if the company chooses to do so.
Are Chinese partners interested in using Volkswagen's German plant capacity?
According to the CEO, there is currently no interest from Chinese partners in using Volkswagen's excess plant capacity in Germany.
Who made the statement about Volkswagen's export strategy?
Thomas Schaefer, the CEO of Volkswagen's core brand, made the statement at an FT conference.

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