As China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) draws to a close, Jiading district's rapidly-growing automotive industry has experienced a remarkable transformation, with SAIC Volkswagen playing a pivotal role.
A partner in Jiading for over 40 years, SAIC Volkswagen has excelled in smart technology, becoming a leader in the joint-venture car sector.
During this period, the company expanded its new energy vehicle lineup from three to eight models, achieving sales of nearly 500,000 units. New models like the SAIC Audi A5L Sportback and Audi E5 Sportback, which integrate smart and electric technologies, have invigorated the market.
In the first three quarters of 2025, SAIC Volkswagen sold 787,000 vehicles, with total production and sales exceeding 30 million units. September sales hit 91,300 units, a 1.4 percent increase from the previous month.
The SAIC Audi Intelligent Manufacturing Base. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
The new SAIC Audi Intelligent Manufacturing Base, launched in Jiading's Anting town in August, marked a major milestone. This facility, capable of producing 360,000 units annually, merges Audi's craftsmanship with Chinese digital manufacturing, featuring full automated processes and full data traceability. It serves as both a production hub and a showcase for the Audi brand. The Audi E5 Sportback, the first model produced here, quickly gained popularity in the market.
Since the 1980s, SAIC Volkswagen and Jiading have grown together, witnessing China's automotive industry rise to prominence. During the 14th Five-Year Plan, SAIC Volkswagen added 263 suppliers, 21 of which are in Jiading, creating nearly 300 jobs in smart and electric technology. The Anting base has been upgraded to a hub for electric production, R&D, and smart manufacturing, impacting the Yangtze River Delta and central China.
As planning for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) begins, SAIC Volkswagen and Jiading aim to deepen their collaboration, targeting a total industrial output of 450 billion yuan ($63.13 billion) and seeking to create a comprehensive intelligent connected vehicle ecosystem. The partnership will focus on revitalizing industrial spaces, introducing quality projects, and upgrading products, with a goal of introducing over 20 new models by 2030.
Their collaboration exemplifies successful government-enterprise synergy, driving high-quality development in China's automotive industry. Together, they will continue to propel progress, contributing to Jiading's vision of a trillion-yuan automotive industry cluster and enhancing China's global automotive standing.
SAIC Volkswagen boasts an advanced production line. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]