- Volkswagen has unveiled the eighth generation Passat (segment D), based on the " MQB platform”. According to the manufacturer, this generation is lighter than the previous generation by nearly 90 Kg.

- The model will be powered by a petrol 1.4 TSI (122 or 150 hp), 1.8 TSI (180 hp) and 2.0 TSI (220 or 280 hp) and two diesel engines, the 2.0 TDI (150 or 190 hp) and the 2.0 TDI Biturbo (240 hp). A 1.6 TDI (120 hp) will be launched later on. A plug-in hybrid powertraincombining a 1.4 TSI 156 hp and an electric engine of 80 kW / 109 hp is also going to be produced.

- In Europe, its biggest market, the Volkswagen Passat is the leading segment D vehicle among mainstream manufacturers. However, it is also suffering from the decline in this segment because of premium brands (BMW, Mercedes and Audi) and the growth of other bodies (such as SUVs ). Thus, between 2006 (the year it reached record high sales) and 2013, the Passat has lost 50% of its sales volume, going from 300 000 to 150 000 units.

- To compensate for this loss, Volkswagen is counting on the U.S. and Chinese markets, where the Passat is already present in various specific versions of the European model. The German manufacturer has announced a target of annual sales of 250 000 units in Europe, 150 000 in North America and 250 000 in China.

- In Europe, the Passat is still produced in Emden (Germany). In China, it will be produced in Shanghai (SAIC).

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- China’s Hybrid and EV (electric vehicles, this segment includes plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles) production volumes went up 22% YOY (year on year) in 2013 to reach 20 420 units, according to the CATARC (China Automotive Technology and Research Center).

- The most popular electric vehicle type is the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle, with 13 354 units produced) followed by HEV (Hybrid Eletric Vehicle, with  6 348 units) and last but not least PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles, with 718 units). This is partially explained by the fact that the Chinese would like to transit from Thermic Engines to 100% electric engines, without having to use hybrid technology.

- By model, The leader was the Camry (GAC Toyota HEV) with 5 204 units manufactured, followed by the QQ3 (a Chery SUV) with production levels reaching 4 895 units. The Kandi EV (Zotye / Kandi from segment A) is far ahead of the E150 EV (Baic) with respectively 3 671 and 1 183 units.

- The market is expected to grow in coming years and Toyota plans to launch the new Corolla and Levin  (both C segment sedans) models both equipped with a locally developed hybrid engine while Honda Motor intends to release a locally-developed HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) in 2016, prompting automakers to keep an eye on the market’s reaction to HEVs.

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- China’s PC market, which is divided into 4 regions namely East, Central, Northeast and West, has been led up until now by East provinces. In this region, PC sales rose from 2.94 million units in 2008 to 7.68 million units in 2013. In Central and West China, where personal income has been on the rise thanks to economic growth, PC sales reached 6.25 million units in these two regions.

- Whereas the strong growth of 49% in 2009 experienced in the East went down to 13.4% by 2013, which indicates a shift in market demand from East China to West China (20% growth in 2013). This phenomena was boosted by the vehicle purchase regulations established by Eastern Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin in response to worsening air pollution.

- In West China, SUVs reached a high with 29.7% market share in the first quarter of 2014. A market share way higher than in other regions due to its landscape which is very well suited to SUVs.

- More an more manufactures are establishing their plants in Central and West China, such as VW, Hyundai and PSA alongside increasing sales network in this region.

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