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Volkswagen Powers Diesel Revival
Volkswagen wants to lead the world's auto makers in producing diesel cars locally in China, despite the fact diesel automobiles are still restricted in the country.
The German automaker plans to manufacture diesel cars in one of its Chinese joint ventures, Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co Ltd, within two to three years.
The plan was announced by Bernd Engelstadter, technical executive director of Shanghai Volkswagen during the Diesel Initiative Symposium on modern engine technology and emission control in Beijing.
Shanghai Volkswagen will co-operate with German engine producer Bosch to produce diesel engines in Shanghai for its cars, said Engelstadter.
"We are committed to transferring modern car diesel technology to China to help the country protect the environment and save oil energy," said Andreas Bastian, senior manager of the research and development department of Volkswagen (China).
Bastian said the modern diesel car is a better choice for Chinese customers because it is more efficient, environmentally friendly and economical compared with petrol cars.
All new cars Volkswagen will produce in the country will meet the European II emission standard at least, Bastian said.
"But obstacles against our diesel car plan in China have yet to be resolved," Bastian said.
Modern diesel engines are still mistaken for one of the major air polluters, especially in big cities.
Local governments, including those in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu Province, and Jinan in East China's Shandong Province, have banned the use of diesel automobiles to alleviate environmental protection pressures.
The Chinese Government requires all vehicles to meet the European I emission standard by the end of this year.
"Bad quality of diesel oil in China also curbs our diesel car plan," Bastian told the symposium, urging Chinese oil producers to enhance the quality of diesel oil.
Volkswagen will intensify its efforts in promoting the image of the diesel engine and introducing modern diesel technology to China, Bastian said.
The German automaker will showcase its three-litre Lupo car equipped with modern turbo direct injection diesel engine during the Fourth International Exhibition of International Combustion Engine Technology and Equipment, scheduled for May 25-28 in Beijing.
Lupo is the world's first car in production which can run for 100 kilometres on less than three litres of fuel, and satisfy the European IV emission standard.
Volkswagen is the sole foreign supporter of the exhibition sponsored by the State Administration of Machine-Building Industry.
More than 30 per cent of cars manufactured by Volkswagen come with modern diesel engines.
Volkswagen now has two joint ventures in China and has taken half of the Chinese car market. By the end of last year, the ventures had produced more than 1.7 million cars.
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