SVW to grow presence in south China

Joint-venture automaker Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd. (SVW) intends to continue its dual brand strategy in 2009 to expand car ownership in south China. The company assigned its best marketing team to the southern Chinese automobile market in early 2008, according to SVW Sales and Marketing Executive Manager Zhang Hailiang. Joining hands with its sibling FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd. (FAW-VW), SVW will compete with two Sino-Japanese carmakers, Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (GTMC). SVW plans to pit its new sedan model Skoda Fabia against the new Fit produced by Guangzhou Honda. (December 31, 2008)