VW to launch 2 EVs In Japan

Volkswagen AG is considering the Japanese market for its next venture and announced it will introduce its electric vehicles to the Japanese market by middle of next year. Rudolf Krebs, Volkswagen’s group’s chief officer for electric traction, said the company is gearing up to launch electric vehicles (EVs) in Japan shortly after they are rolled out in Europe. The German auto giant will modify two EVs it is scheduled to launch in Europe in mid-2013. The e-up! and the Golf EV will be configured to make them compatible with Japan’s battery-charging system for EVs. The two Japanese model EVs are intended to support the CHAdeMo, Krebs said, referring to a rival system that Japanese automakers are planning to promote as a global standard. Japan remains the global leader in the market for hybrid and electric passenger vehicles, with Nissan Motor Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation competing for the top market share. European automakers, however, have lately increased efforts to introduce their EVs and hybrids. Volkswagen said it plans to release a total of more than 10 EV and plug-in hybrid models all over the world by 2015. (May 31, 2012)