Volkswagen Eyes Export Growth in Asia and Middle East from China

Volkswagen's Export Strategy and Market Challenges

BERLIN, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Volkswagen plans to use its lower costs in China to export more cars from the country to other markets - but not Europe, the German carmaker's CEO and China chief said.

Ralf Brandstaetter, who heads Volkswagen's China business, said Chinese-made models could be shipped to South-East Asia, the Middle East or South America.    

"We do not plan to export to Europe," he told reporters on Tuesday evening.

CEO's Confidence Amid Industry Challenges

CEO CONFIDENT, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said Volkswagen had made strong progress over the past three years and that its models were performing well, but the industry remains tough, meaning more cost cuts are still needed.

"We need to roll up our sleeves," he said. "We simply have to earn more money so that we are even better equipped to invest in the future." 

Competition in the Chinese Market

Volkswagen has slipped down the rankings in China - the world's biggest car market - after being overtaken as the top-selling automaker in recent years by local rivals BYD and Geely.

Blume is under pressure to halt falling sales in China, where Volkswagen is behind on EVs and locked in a price war with domestic competitors.

Price Stability and Future Goals

"Prices have now reached a level at which we assume they will not fall any further. But prices will not rise again either," Brandstaetter said.

In the long term, Volkswagen aims to remain among the three largest carmakers in China, he said.

(Additional reporting by Rachel More. Editing by Mark Potter)