VW's new Golf GTI to be China made by March '10
- Source: Gasgoo.com
- [15:55 September 04 2009]
- Comments
Volkswagen's all-new Golf GTI is expected to be put into production in China at the FAW-VW joint venture by March next year, Chinese media reported.
The new Golf GTI has been imported to the Chinese market for sale, with both the three-door and five-door models available. FAW-VW will produce the sixth generation Golf soon, and the Golf GTI is likely to carry the locally made 2.0TSI engine and six-speed DSG gearbox.
As China is surpassing the United States as the world's largest auto market this year, many global car companies are rushing to launch their new models in the China market where auto sales are still running hot.
Recently a Chinese made Golf GTI was spotted in China for road testing with FAW-VW writing on the back, giving some hot hatch fans in the country a glimpse of what might be coming out of the car venture early next year.
The new Golf GTI has been an expensive import for Chinese consumers. A Chinese made Golf GTI is expected to be priced around a more reasonable 230,000 yuan ($33,700), compared to the current import price of over 400,000 yuan.
The previous Golf hatchback model made by FAW-VW was phased out of the joint venture's 4S stores at the end of last year, when sales staff said that the old model was no longer produced as the new model would be coming [imported] to the market.
