Volkswagen will push ahead with electric car development, including a clear-stated objective to be a “market leader” in next-generation ‘solid-state’ battery technology, the company’s manager has revealed.
Speaking at the annual VW group press conference, where the firm revealed that its 2016 profits were €7.1billion (£6.2bn) from sales profits of much more than €217bn, Matthias Muller claimed the business was “back on track” after the Dieselgate scandal. He reiterated that VW should continue to push ahead with its “Strategy 2025”, a programme of effectiveness gains as well as a restructuring to enable the business to make new-model decisions much more quickly.
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Muller likewise stated that continued focus on battery-electric automobiles (BEVs), as well as VW’s plan to go into what he called the “booming economic climate segment” would play a essential function in the firm’s continued recovery.
“Together with Tata Motors, we plan to establish budget plan cars for the Indian market,” he said. “Our colleagues at Skoda are leading the planned alliance for the Group. In China, we are working on an economic climate cars and truck with FAW, our long-standing joint venture partner. We are likewise in the advanced stage of negotiations with JAC to cooperate in putting inexpensive electric cars on the road in the Chinese market.”
He added: “We regard battery innovation as one more future core competence. In recent months we developed as well as approved a concrete phased plan to accomplish technological leadership in Europe by 2025.”