Volkswagen Group China, joint ventures unite to fight virus

Since the start of Spring Festival, everyone across China has been facing a very difficult time, working from home for an extended duration, as well as dealing with the pressure and uncertainty presented by the novel coronavirus. 

From the beginning, Volkswagen Group China — along with all of its brands, such as Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, Porsche and Bentley, and together with its Chinese joint ventures, FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen — pledged to make a donation of 120 million yuan (US$16.88 million).

The group has been leading the fight against the novel coronavirus, implementing a wide range of measures to contain the virus and ensuring the health and safety of all employees.

During this challenging period, both Dr. Herbert Diess, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, and Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China, made personal appeals on social media, expressing their confidence in China, and also asking for the international media to have a fair and balanced view towards the situation in China and its handling of the outbreak. 

“I see millions of people joining forces to win the battle against the coronavirus,” said Dr. Diess. “Though the situation is very serious, I’m deeply convinced that China will overcome it with solidarity and dignity.”

Dr. Wöllenstein said: “Whether in good times or difficult ones like now, we are the people’s car company, part of this society and its people’s lives for 40 years. And we are proud of it. Therefore, we stand firm alongside our Chinese customers, colleagues and all citizens!”

Volkswagen Group China is confident that with joint efforts, China will prevail over this crisis and get back on the right track.

Facing the COVID-19 epidemic, Volkswagen Group China actively implemented a range of measures to secure employee safety and smooth operations of production in its second home.

To begin with, Volkswagen Group China and its family brands, together with two of its joint ventures, FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen, put up a united effort to collectively donate 120 million yuan to novel coronavirus relief efforts. The donation has been distributed through charity organizations the group works with, towards securing medical supplies and providing urgently needed aid, such as protective equipment, medical equipment, medicine, and other materials, to hospitals in Hubei Province and other Chinese provinces.

At the same time, Volkswagen Group China’s joint ventures and component plants took swift action to launch a comprehensive range of measures of their own.

FAW-Volkswagen has strived to resume work across all its production facilities, while also providing support to one of its key suppliers with a special anti-epidemic task force. Meanwhile, SAIC Volkswagen launched practical measures to care for customers. JAC Volkswagen, together with its Sihao authorized service stores, continued to adhere to their service commitments, carrying out special service care activities.

In terms of component plants, Volkswagen Automatic Transmission (Tianjin) Co Ltd and Volkswagen Automatic Transmission (Dalian) Co Ltd have prioritized employee safety and initiated measures to build a safe and healthy working and living environment, supporting the smooth resumption of production.

As the virus is being contained in China, it has started to spread globally. Volkswagen Group China is sharing its best practices among every Volkswagen task force team worldwide, and will continue to strictly follow the relevant regulations and measures implemented by the Chinese government and expects full compliance from every employee in China.

"Coordinating efforts across borders throughout the Volkswagen world will be the key to success in this struggle. In the end, it will be not only us, but the whole Volkswagen world, which manages to overcome this difficult situation. United, we have the strength and endurance – and will win,” said Dr. Wöllenstein.